Instances of doctors and other medical staff being roughed up by the relatives of patients have been making headlines in Qatar, bringing to the fore a very sensitive issue that needs to be tackled firmly but sensibly.

Assaulting a public servant on duty should be treated as a serious offence inviting a jail-term as is the case in several countries, but apparently this rarely happens in Qatar because most of the medical staff are expats who may be unwilling to take a case to its logical conclusion because of various compulsions, especially if the offender is a national.

It is no secret that doctors and nurses, especially those who deal with emergency room cases, work long hours and under tremendous pressure. Dealing with life and death situations on a continuous basis takes a heavy toll on their psyche. On top of this when they face the risk of physical assault, it could add to their stress levels.

People who use the HMC’s services should realise the simple fact that they are only going to put the doctor under additional pressure with their aggressive behavior. This could lead to a serious error during a medical procedure thus endangering the life of the patient.

At the same time, authorities need to be considerate with the relatives of patients, too. Seeing a loved one suffer may cause them to behave irrationally. A counsellor could be of help here.

The Emergency Department of the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has now initiated measures to prevent such incidents, including a move that restricts the number of relatives accompanying a patient needing urgent attention.

The HMC also plans to add more staff and expand its Emergency Department, which would ease the pressure on staff. A ‘meet and greet’ system will be also put in place so that patients can see someone to talk to in case they have any queries or doubts. A community-wide orientation programme about emergency services is also being planned.

Meanwhile, a bit of patience by everyone concerned will go a long way in easing tensions.

Mockery of justice

A New Delhi court has banned Suresh Kalmadi from attending the opening ceremony of the London Olympics tomorrow, saying his presence would be an “embarrassment” for the country. Kalmadi, however, has mocked the decision by saying he was not planning to attend the opening anyway.

Kalmadi spent several months in jail following the 2010 commonwealth Games in New Delhi for his involvement in several cases of corruption. As the chief organiser of the Games, he is alleged to have made millions of dollars through shady contracts, provoking a huge outcry in India as ordinary people and rival politicians called for his ouster.

However, the fact remains that he has managed to secure bail despite the serious charges against him. It’s a telling statement on India’s loophole-ridden, corrupt legal set-up that hangs the petty thieves and lets well-connected big-time criminals go scot-free.