TO PRACTISE OR NOT TO PRACTISE: IS THAT THE QUESTION?

Abstract

Much has been written and much talked about ever since interest in this subject was rekindled by directives from the Health Ministries. The subject matter has been opened and closed so many times that one wonders what the real motives were this time. Is it a feeler to gauge the popular sentiment before putting into action long term new policies? Is it a routine beaurocratic exercise to remind people that they (the beaurocrats) exist and can wield power? Is it a tact/c to coerce the profession into some sort cf a compromise? Or, does ii’ really reflect a popular sentiment of outrage that the society is gathering against elements in the med/ca! profession? These and many other spoken and unspoken thoughts have bothered many whether or not directly affected by such directives.

The answers, then, are not available with the medical profession or with the Health Minis tries but lie in a much deeper appreciation of the conflicts that e is t in developing countries. Until these conflict are resolved no viable answers will be forthcoming arid all efforts shall be an eyewash or attempts at finding .scapegoats.