Doctor in the house
At least since the 19th century, we have been
conditioned to look to politicians, economists, defense strategists, or philosophers,
to solve the problems of a complex society. Far too often, they work within the
parameters of nationalism, or definitions of the world determined by how close
or removed they are from a pre-determined centre. Do they live in the right
continent? practice the right religion? speak the right language? The solutions
arrived at benefit some, devastate others. As the world overlaps and the
ineffectiveness of these partial solutions become evident, there is a need for
new strategies.
There are innumerable intergovernmental and non-governmental
organisations, private foundations, academic institutions and tech companies
whose aim is to create a better future. Yet the solutions keep slipping out of
their hands. Some of the reasons given by strategic planning consultants,
Intrafocus, include a lack of clarity due to vaguely defined goals that lead to
an unreliable compass and misalignment of efforts by team members who quickly
lose a sense of the larger mission. A
brilliant strategic plan on paper fails because of poor execution. When there
is no clear plan, milestones cannot be tracked, and the strategy drifts off
course in a fog of poor morale.
The one field of human endeavor that has boldly but quietly
achieved solutions that truly benefit all mankind is the field of medicine.
From evidence of brain surgery 2.5 million years ago to the intense efforts to
find a cure for cancer or thalassemia, medicine has maintained an unbroken
record of striving to improve the lives of all people.
Doctors get it right. With little fanfare, they focus on
healing in hospitals and clinics, outside of the flotsam and jetsam of
political and social scatter in our lives. They prove their mettle in the ill
equipped hospitals of Gaza, during the Covid 19 epidemic, Ebola outbreaks, in
medical camps during wars or natural disasters, in makeshift medical centers
serving communities with no access to cities or towns.
Good doctors have no politics, no class distinctions, and
instinctively help regardless of monetary benefit, whether at the scene of an
accident or responding to an air steward’s request - “is there a doctor on
board?”
The phrase, "doctor in the house", when used
metaphorically, suggests a situation where expertise is urgently required. So what is it about medical practice that
makes it so much more successful at making the world a safer place than the
current global development strategies?
The cornerstone of good medical practice is to understand
the whole story. The methodology follows a pathway of listening, observing,
investigating, arriving at a diagnosis followed by treatment undertaken with
the consent of the patient. In case the treatment does not work, other avenues
will be explored. A good doctor never gives up. Even when the patient dies, an
autopsy is performed to understand what may have caused the death to ensure
knowledge is improved for more successful treatment in the future. Doctors work
in seamlessly coordinated teams of a qualified support staff of lab
technicians, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapist, drug manufacturers, and
even those who ensure the clinical spaces are hygienically clean. Behind the
scenes, is the practice of constant research, and an industry of producing
better equipment and technology. A parallel pathway works on prevention measures
such as vaccines, exercise and hygiene to prevent health issues.
Although medical research has a macro perspective, doctors
attend to one patient at a time, and provide individualized care. There isn’t a
single human being that does not at some time in their lives come under the
care of a medical practitioner, whether a modern doctor or a traditional
healer.
Whether exceptional or ordinary, grouchy or mild mannered, a
worthy doctor always means well, and remains true to his Hippocratic oath or its
equivalent. When he errs, a doctor is
more likely to be sued for malpractice, than a politician or minister of state
The highly influential physician, Tinsley Randolph Harrison,
reminds us “the patient is no mere collection of symptoms, signs, disordered
functions, damaged organs, and disturbed emotions. The patient is human, fearful, and hopeful,
seeking relief, help and reassurance”.
These words equally apply to all citizens of the world
today, left to struggle with broken systems and policies that are formulated in
offices far removed from the lived experience of people and their aspirations.
The medical field, a working system hidden in plain view, with its altruistic
people-centred focus, and well-coordinated implementation, may inspire the
re-structuring of development strategies.
Durriya Kazi
June 13,
2025
Karachi
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