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| Monday, 31 March 2003 |
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Indiscretions of some specialist doctors There are some medical specialists in Sri Lanka who wish to obtain laboratory investigations of their patients in laboratories of their choice. Invariably, the hapless patients have no choice of their own but to accede to the request of specialists. Nonetheless, this practice has led to some health problems to the patients themselves who have been at the receiving end of untrained and unqualified technicians. But the specialists themselves have no worry since their returns are manifold. They automatically qualify for commissions and/or expensive hampers with the compliments of these laboratories. In some instances the tests requested have been redundant in considering the patients' condition. I have served as a medical laboratory technologist for more than fifty years - 24 of them in government service and, therefore, it is not strange that I am aware of these malpractices that deserve to be detested for all time because such conduct on the part of specialist doctors soils their oath of Hippocrates - revered as sacrosanct and inviolable. About three years ago I took my wife, who had a severe chest pain, to a specialist who had a number of letters behind his name denoting his qualifications. After the preliminary examination he directed my wife to a particular laboratory with special reference to a particular technician. When I told him that I was a qualified technician holding a certificate issued by the Ceylon Medical College Council and registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council, he just pooh-poohed my submission and insisted that I take my wife to that particular laboratory or else he would lose confidence in his own treatment. An outstanding feature of the report obtained was that the ESR - Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate - was absolutely normal. The specialist prescribed some medicines but even after two weeks my wife's conditions remained the same. I decided to go to the same specialist - subsequent to my doing the ESR test which was frightfully high - but only to be told "you have made a mistake somewhere". My wife's condition was diagnosed later as a 'left bundle branch block' which in fact was a heart ailment. Another case in point is that of a medical specialist, a lady, financing a medical laboratory for a 'blue-eyed' male technician working in the same hospital as she does. This laboratory is equipped with the most modern ECG machine, X'ray unit and automated instruments required for blood investigations. She directs all her patients to this laboratory - while shunning reports from other laboratories in the area - in an overt attempt to make a colossal profit while promoting the 'blue-eyed' technician to glory. In her wild enthusiasm she miserably failed to diagnose a case of dengue fever of a girl who was saved by the skin of her teeth due to the untiring efforts of the doctors at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital. How long this unethical practice will last and how many patients will die only the Almighty God will know. If these specialists call what they are doing is a 'service' the very word 'service' should stink. But in the meanwhile patients continue to suffer as ever before and they need to be warned in the first instance. Because to be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. M.F.- Chilaw Aluminium and Alzheimer's Disease In your issue of 24th February, a curiously nameless reader has commented on my recent letter on the possible risks in consuming beverages, etc in aluminium cans. From the tenor of his/her remarks, he/she seems to be associated with an industry source. The undeniable fact is that the brains of a great many people who die from Alzheimer's Disease have characteristically shown a high concentration of Aluminium in their cells. Now, it doesn't really matter whether the aluminium is the cause or the effect of Alzheimer's. The question is whether it make sense to place one's health in jeopardy by increasing the intake of Aluminium? If Aluminium is a cause (the disease may have multiple causes), the answer is clear. If it is an effect, dos it make sense to make an already bad situation worse by taking in more of the metal? Dr. Robert C. Atkins, M.D., well-known nutritionist and originator of the famed Atkins Diet has this to say: "For a number of years, our health-care experts have known about these correlations which are strong enough to make anyone doubt Aluminium's safety...Nor have they been swayed by the damning evidence..." Health Revelations Oct '96 p.3 For the information of your readers, there are several sources of aluminium to which we are unwittingly exposed. The first is kitchen utensils which can leach the metal into our food. Fortunately, their use has declined markedly in recent years. The second source is our water supply. Municipalities and Water Supply authorities often use Aluminium Sulphate to purify the water. Unfortunately, not all filters eliminate the metal. Distillation will but home units are expensive and not available here. Furthermore, if the water supply happens to be fluoridated, it would make mattes worse as Florida accelerates and increases the absorption of Aluminium in the body. Then there are aluminium cans about which I have already written. Other but little known sources are anti-perspirants, deodorants, and antacids; the answer here is obvious - check labels before purchase. On the Internet, some are even expressing concern at the possible risks of using aluminium siding in their homes! Mansoor Ghouse - Rajagiriya Recently, we experienced first-hand the callous and nasty side of a customs officer. This letter is mainly for those readers who are law-abiding. As hardworking middle class citizens we feel that we have been dealt an unfair blow. We are those who pay our bills on time, cause no worry to the State, and use our valuable votes believing sincerely that our children will not be subject to these disgusting individuals of a Government, but alas, we are the fools of hope! A few months ago, my brother-in-law sent us his used hi-fi system worth around Rs. 50,000. On reaching the Trico clearinghouse, we were smilingly 'met' by a seemingly genuine individual who pointed out a particular customs 'kaakka'. (I believe this is the term used in the circles of clearing and forwarding-No prizes for guessing why!) This officer wanted to know whether we knew the actual worth of the contents. We sincerely didn't as we were far from interested in re-selling what was sent to us as a gift. This man brazenly wanted a bribe of Rs. 5000 stating that he would have to impose a tax of Rs. 20,000 if we failed to comply! After contemplation and teeth gnashing on our side, there was nothing else to do except pay up and have the goods released. Fuming at the thought that we had been at the butt end of lawlessness, we telephoned the Trico personnel and were told that this was the 'usual procedure'. Apparently, we had "got caught" to the wrong man. Pray tell us mere mortals, (whoever are in charge), how does one decipher a right-minded customs man? Later on, more stories were revealed to those of whom we re-told this incident. In one instance, because the owners failed to comply, the tax imposed was over Rs. 50,000 for a bribe of Rs. 20,000. Crackdown on corruption? Start here Mr. Minister ! SHANTHI WIJESINGHE - Mount Lavinia. Standard of commentary relayed by the SLBC I am an ardent cricket fan and have been following the game for a long time. Before television was introduced to Sri Lanka, our only way of following a game of cricket was by listening to the Radio and of course to the beautiful ball by ball commentary provided by the Arlott's, the Johnston's, the Mcgilvrey's and even the Martin Jenkin's. We used to wait for the commentary not just for the quality of the game but also for the very delivery of the broadcast, which was so pleasing to the ear. However, I must state with absolute regret that the standard of commentary relayed by the SLBC during the World Cup 2003, has left much to be desired. My opinion which I am sure is endorsed by the majority of listeners apply to both mediums. To begin with one of the English commentators seem to be interested in proving that he is bilingual. Whilst on one day he commentates in Sinhala the other day he is an English commentator. And some of the English he has been using no doubt insults the listener to such an extent it is an embarrassment to be tuned in. In addition he seem to be putting on an accent too. This must be making her majesty the queen blush! Out of the other two commentators in English, one sounds to be totally without emotion, as if he seems to be reading some document, whilst the other seems to be repeating a few words he is good with. It was also sad to note that one of our senior Sinhala commentators, seems to be totally out of touch with the match and was in to other things rather than describe the real happenings. Now my question is, don't the people who matter at the SLBC look at the ability of these people they select? Don't they realize that they are duty bound to provide the listener quality? And finally is there a dearth of quality commentators in this country? It is up to the authorities to look into this and ensure that the right person is in the right job and not to burden the poor listener who is at the mercy of these people. MALCOM WETTASINGHE - Borella Some friends of mine took me to see a Sri Lankan movie, the first one I have seen. The title of the movie is "Flying With One Wing" and I found the story interesting at first. But after about 20 minutes I couldn't understand if the director wanted to inspire or deter from the actions taking place on the screen. Disrespect and harassments towards women dominated the story and with no sign of protest from anyone. There were very few lines at all in the movie so no explanation was given for anything taking place. One young girl was even called a bitch by her own mother when really she is a victim of rape from her own stepfather! If it was the director's intent to bring these problems to the surface and deal with them I am afraid he didn't succeed. This country already has a huge problem with the male population treating women as inferior beings which is ironic when statistics would tell us that it is the women that keeps this country going. The repeated smoking and glorification of smoking is also very suspicious, you can't help but wonder how much money the producers have been given by the tobacco company. The use of smoking as a way to show independence is not only a cliche it's a used up cliche. I am sad this is the only Sinhala movie I have seen. And I hope the audience will watch it with a critical mind. JENNY GUSTAFSSON - via e-mail Re-imposition of death penalty Manel Abeysekera puts the matter beyond all argument by declaring that no one's life should be taken away under any circumstances. Is this right? In my area Meepe, Padukka, over a property dispute the younger brother poured acetic acid over his elder, in the presence of their mother, burning him severely and blinding him. Their mother died shortly after of sorrow. Some will blame capitalist society for promoting material greed, poverty, poor schooling or lack of religious guidance. But this shows poor economy of thinking. We need practical answers, fast. The best we can do now, is to re-impose the death penalty for ten years. If the murder rate declines, let it continue. N. S. DASSANAYAKE - Padukka Realising Nibbana in this life In most appreciations of loved ones and friends in the daily papers it is often wished in the last para 'May he/she attain Nibbana'. This is contrary to the Buddha's teaching. In a radio sermon given by Ven. Horowpotane Sathindriya Thera, he has clearly stated that Nibbana has to be realised in this life itself and not after death. He cited the case of Bahiya, being a layman, who realised Nibbana immediately after listening to a discourse by the Buddha which means that Nibbana has to be realised here and now. The Buddha further confirmed this when, immediately afterwards Bahiya died of an accident and when the priests asked the Buddha where Bahiya will be born he said Bahiya will not be born again as he has already realised Nibbana. Most learned priests and even laymen at the end of their funeral orations wish the dead person 'May he/she attain Nibbana' which is not in keeping with the Buddha's teaching. Will a priest or a layman learned in the Dhamma please shed some light on this for the benefit of those who are not aware of this. AB - Colombo - 5
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