Michael Moore should visit India

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Tuesday June 9, 2009

Michael Moore should have come to India too. All those who're wondering why I am saying this should watch his documentary <I>Sicko</I>. An aptly titled investigative report that looks into the lengths that insurance companies go to in order to ensure denial of health services to those who have paid heavy premium for health policies.

In order to bring out the fallacies in the American system of health care he also travels to UK, France and Canada and discovers that these countries not just provide for their patients but also ensure a good life for their doctors and all this when the medical system works under a social set up. And these countries provide it for free. In fact in UK, if you pay for getting to the hospital, then you can claim reimbursement while in France, the government provides nannies for pregnant women. And yes, medical service is free there too.

While watching the documentary, I was thanking God for not being in US, I was also ruing the fact that I was not in any of those three countries mentioned in the documentary. And then it struck me, hey, wasn't my country's health system under government control too? Then why the hell did I spent over Rs 10 lakh for my treatment after a road accident that left me badly injured.

I pay taxes. There is no way I can evade that as I am a salaried individual whose every penny is tracked. Sadly, when it comes to availing my benefits, I cannot go to a government run hospital. They are in pathetic condition. And this is not hearsay, I have seen how dirty and filthy the hospitals are. How "care" is missing from the services that they are required to offer. You can manage to get good service if you are "connected." And even the most influential are scared to go to these hospitals. No wonder the CIC was asked for an explanation from AIIMS on why the hospital felt the need to call for a private surgeon to conduct his surgery.

And then I pay a premium for my health insurance !!! I am not insured for a huge amount but I really wonder if a bigger amount would have helped. I was hit by a vehicle while standing on a roadside. It was late in the night and there was almost no traffic. I, along with my team, was standing behind our car and beneath a lamp post. The car was white in colour while I wore a blue shirt that could be seen from a distance. Yet, when it came to claims, the insurance company wanted to know if I was drunk at that time. I wasn't driving. I was the victim here!!!

Thankfully for me, my company stood behind me and took care of everything. I wonder what would be happening to people who are not as lucky as me.

It's the reason why I say, Michael Moore should have come to India and may be we would have made him feel better about his country's health system.

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Posted by e.RANA on Jun 15, 2009

I am a Canadian citizen and must mention that we pay hefty taxes to cover up for our medical costs. But the fact remains is at the end of the day we know we don't have this worry on our head. The Govt of India has passed a law in 2005 whereby no hospital can deny you treatment in case of an emergency . How many of us are aware of this poicy? Besides in Canada, the health system is administered by the states and not the federal govt. The state of Assam had announced this 2-3 years ago but haven't finalised any plans as yet. So, its time to urge your state leaders to get the ball rolling. India is such a huge country so basic health care is reqd for starters and then more serious health issue should be taken care of.

Posted by Indian on Jun 15, 2009

I have been born and brought up in India have been liviing in UK for quite a while now.I strongly and personaly feel that India can do lot better than this.I agree that there exists a gap between the ideal India and current India.But cant we bridge this gap without being negative about our country. If we dont have respect and confidence in our country, how do we expect anyone on the global level to do so.

Posted by IndianInUK on Jun 15, 2009

As someone said, I wouldn't compare India and other countries. The 'sample' is not the same size. I'm sure US has better facilities but still many come to India for cheaper medical care (bypass surgery etc) and I'm sure there is something more than money that brings them here coz personally, I wouldn't risk my life for some money. Considering what we are dealing with, India is doing quite well though I know it can be made better.

Posted by Sridar on Jun 15, 2009

India has a very good healthcare policy to cater to the general public through CGHS,AIIMS, Government Hospitals. The problems arise because of the so many good doctors who are not interested in serving here and go to US and UK for fortunes. the remaining first prefer the private hospitals. The govt hospitals are therfore left with whatever doctors who joined the colleges and passed out through other means. These people are mosre interested in getting back the money they invested rather than in the health of the soceity. Hospitals remaining clean is not just the responsibility of the government or the the hospital authorities alone it is the responsibility of the public who use it also. Most of the people(includin learned and literate) just litter by throwing things every where and even spitting around. It has become so part of the Indian's attitude to keep the place dirty outside the house. The govt hospitals spend crores for housekeeping and some have even outsourced this. This whole thing is a vicious cycle and can change only if the common man acts. Please do not just blame the country and talk based on a documentary without knowung the complete facts.

Posted by Titus Sequeira on Jun 14, 2009

Many of the comments are very good and put Shailendra's topic of conversation on a good discussion path. That said, I strongly believe that the analysis is not valid for it is like comparing apples with oranges. One cannot compare Healthcare in India with either {UK, Canada, France} or with USA for the following reasons: (a) India does not fall in the developed countries category that can afford that levels of funding towards Healthcare {US: $3.55T, Canada: US$178.74B, UK: US$183.14B, France: US$ 266.1B}. India's 2008-2009 funding to healthcare is US$ 34.85 B - an increase of 15% over 2007-2008 (b) India hold a population that is over 2.4 times of combined population of all the four countries mentioned in the article But, India like China, the country that it may be compared for its size and its current state of growth, should ensure basic healthcare to every citizen The country is trying hard to get there - it is going to be a continuum, not an event, thus, we need to anticipate & participate in it! I suggest that we take the above into consideration whenever we attempt to analyze and report on the topic. There needs to be a lot of awareness that needs to be built on prevention rather than cure, especially in the critical illness areas that can be avoided to great extent - Heart-related and Blood Pressure related areas. It needs to promote proper nutrition awareness and incentives towards it. There is a lot one can do, positively, as a citizen of the country, rather than bashing based on a guy whose biggest mandate is popularism! We can do better, folks!

Posted by Indian on Jun 13, 2009

The tax charged by the UK government to its citizens is 40% of their salary.Yes the medical services are free, but it comes with a price.Grass is always greener on the other side my friends.Yes India has all these problems,but at the end of the day its our country.My request to you is try and be positive about your country as much as possible because "Sare Jahan se accha Hindustan Hamara"

Posted by Srujanoday on Jun 12, 2009

Everything has good and bad. Time has come to market the GOOD (dont be humble and modest) and strive to change the bad (when u say it is bad). Personally staying out of India and having travelled to many countries,I can say 'I love my Country with Pride' .There is good about it.And the bad I am doing my best to change.

Posted by Karthick on Jun 12, 2009

With over 1 billion people i would not compare those countries with India.

Posted by Harsh Kumar Srivastava on Jun 12, 2009

Friends, i am very new to this topic, but i fully agree with the pathetic condition of our government hospitals which claim to give free health service to needy. Making a documentary on the condition of our hospitals will do nothing as i have seen many documentaries based on different social issues but they never been taken seriously, neither by people or by government. It is very important to think pragmatically and force the political parties to raise this issue as their political agenda plus we must have to wake up the ruling govt. to think bout the pathetic condition and do needful.

Posted by Sonia on Jun 12, 2009

The health system in India is running pretty much like any other system - Ram Bharose. We are privileged enough to afford good healthcare, but 90% of Indians are not. Just because our chemists dish out medicines without prescriptions does not mean that healthcare is widely available. I recently had an aunt diagnosed with breast cancer. Her family spent upwards of 15 lakhs for the treatment. They were lucky to afford it, but there must be innumerable women who die untreated or even worse undiagnosed. I think India is a nice place to live if you are upper middle class or above. Otherwise you just have to accept that your life means nothing and no one cares if you live or die.

Posted by Babu on Jun 12, 2009

Neo-liberal readers (like Ash) claim that the US taxes less. But that is laughable since we know whom they tax less: the rich capitalists, who can anyway afford the exorbitant rates for healthcare here. Perhaps people like Ash should try living in the US as a worker and see the reality for themselves. Recently one of my friends had a cold and when he went to the local health center, he was charged $900! Do we want the same thing in India? The government exists only to serve and protect the haves against the have nots. Workers should organize and take what is rightfully theirs.

Posted by Chander on Jun 12, 2009

I have seen that in India too, the medical insurance companies can go to any length to deny claim. My friend was operated upon for sinus. During the hospitalization, he ensured all officially required procedures were complied with. He got all the reports. But later when he applied for claim, the medical insurer kept on asking for more and more declarations, reports and so on. They even said that although you got operated, 'our' doctor does not agree with your reports! At one point of time, they mailed and updated online that his cheque has been approved (though less than what was claimed) and will be sent to him. The online update also contained the cheque number and the case has been 'closed'. But that cheque never reached him! When he called them, they had no suitable expailanation. It been over a year and the medical insurer has not given the claim. My friend is frustated and has stopped calling their office, unfortunately to the benefit of the medical insurer only.

Posted by Faiz on Jun 11, 2009

I am not here to discuss whether socialist is better or capitalism. But one thing is for sure that we need to develop our health care system. considering the fact that our country has finest doctors and I believe if everybody contributes a little bit we will see the difference. As far as US health system is concerned It SUCKS!!!!!!!. It just a money making business nothing else.... many of my US colleague thinks the same..

Posted by Vipul on Jun 11, 2009

it is folly to compare the two systems. India cannot afford the type of free health care that we enjoy in the UK without a massive increase in personal taxes. would the people be willing to pay these? I think not. The US insurance system has now become a farce with more and more people not being able to afford insurance, leading to hospital conditions resembling those in the third world. India has a two tier system for the haves and the have nots and this is the way things will remain. Difficult to envisage a totally free health care system in India of the standard of the health system in the UK. A mix of free health care and an insurance backed system will remain the Indian model

Posted by Chetna Pandita on Jun 11, 2009

I completely agree with Shailendra. It's very easy to say that do something if you need a change but then how many times you are able to do that...in a society like India where everything is politically controlled i don't think there is any chance of 'Rang de Basanti' happening. What people like shailendra are doing is something commendable coz through Media you can atleast make people aware of what's happening around them and isn't the adage true ' Pen is mightier than the sword..

Posted by Babu on Jun 10, 2009

This needs to be a major concern for the government. Unfortunately for the working class, our government is busy catering to the needs of fat politicians and businesspeople. In the meanwhile, the working class is left to the mercies of the "market". It is sad that noone speaks up against the neo-liberalism that has become the national religion of India and that is slowly destroying our society by vastly dividing the gap between the haves and the have nots.

Posted by Ash on Jun 10, 2009

Some of the comments I see here are purely laughable. For starters - I lived in India for 19 years of my life and yes, I was blessed to be born in a prosperous background. I have been to some of the best hospitals in India and still I would say you can't compare most of them to the quality of care you get in US. Understand that Quality comes with a cost and US does not tax as much as its socialist european friends. Why? Because socialism undermines development in the long run. In US no one is turned away from the hospital if he reports in an ememrgency room. In Canada, UK and other countries - ppl wait and die in emergency rooms. Socialised medicine might seem like the best option but it truly is NOT. India has had socialized medicine for so long and look at the corruption and inefficiency in the system. Government's duty is to regulate the industry, Not take over them and run it as can be seen these days in US. The prosperity that you see in India today came after we shed our socialist ideas and embraced US style capitalism. Though it is not perfect and needs fine tuning, it has yielded better results than 50 years of socialism in India. So Brother & Sisters, be careful of what you ask for, cos you might regret having asked for it. Foot Note - Mike Moore is a Socialist, Why doesnt he move to France or UK if it were so good there. The thing is that he doesn't want his profits to be taxed and at the same time demands quality health care for free.

Posted by Ranish on Jun 10, 2009

I completely agree. The govt. hospitals are really in pathetic conditions. That is the reason most of the people who could afford go to private hospitals.I sincerely hope we will have a better health system with gud facilities even if it not of the standard of UK or france

Posted by Vipul Sharma on Jun 10, 2009

I totally agree with Shailendra, it was really a great observation, and really somebody has to speak out for this. Its a good point what Manjit has put that, somebody like Amir should produce a documentry on a topic like this.

Posted by sadiq on Jun 09, 2009

Sicko was a wonderful movie which shows how insurance companies loot people. Sicko asks US to become like UK, France or Canada in health care not like India. Of course, if Indian citizens wake up and demand good governance then India can become UK, France or Canada too in health care. that is the way to go..not privatizing and handing over to private companies who loot people mercilessly. Because of these looters,20% of US population is without health insurance or care. another 30% is without adequate care. one third of all bankruptcies are because of them. India be aware of privatized looting in the name of reforms.

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Shailendra Mohan

Shailendra Mohan is a Principal Correspondent who has been with NDTV for four years. He has worked in the field for over seven years. Shailendra covers city happenings and crime stories and has a keen interest in news and happenings around the world.

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