The luxury of life

Every unfortunate visit to a hospital makes me realize the value of life and the ones i love.

Sitting outside an operation theater  a family awaits to know the fate of a young kid who got on a self-destructive mode while fulfilling his passion for speed. They way they stare at the bright red bulb on the door makes it appear like a scene from an 80's classic, as if the the doctor will walk out and say "im sorry". Its disheartening how these 2 words can actually mean the end of someone's world. 

Initially doctors were probably the most hated professionals on my list because of the cold and rude face they carry always. It was during a conversation with a top doctor during a brief visit, that i realized how great this profession is. The way things appear to the common man is actually a conscious attempt that takes a long time to perfect by these live saving souls. Putting my self in their place i realize with the kind of emotions and sentiments that i carry, i would never have the balls to cut open an old man's body and risk his life. 

It is right, that how long will a sick person live in our country sometimes depends on how deep are the pockets of his family members. Healthcare is just another business here, but because it has human life involved, it is always under the scanner for finding open loops. 

The revolutionary character, Munnabhai amused me on screen, but i never related the movie with reality till the time i experienced it. At a local hospital i saw this man soaked in sweat and tears, waiting in a never ending queue. Every passing second he would turn around to see his unconscious son lying on a stretcher at a distance. The helplessness on a father's face was completely ignored by the crowd around, as if this an everyday affair for them. 

I don't know what happened to that young kid or did he actually make to the trauma room. My plead to let the man pass through the queue was over-powered by a few shoves and over-ruled by a question from an official, who asked "Tu hero hai kya?". This made it clear that the problem is not with the profession here, it is the system  that is flawed and needs amendments so that a common man can get the luxury called 'Life'.

- Fahad Parack