Letters

Wait Till Proven Guilty

As always, the editorial in February 2008 issue was quite bold and forthright. The writer has challenged the medical associations to speak up on the issue of female harassment by our members. I wish to draw your attention to a couple of facts:

I am sure almost all medical associations would more than like to condemn such acts by any of our colleagues. Most of these associations also have a constitutional provision to dismiss such members from the primary membership of the association, even if they are life members.

Unfortunately, these associations are and would be depending on the official criminal investigative judgement to finally adjudge the conduct of the concerned member and this is where most of us would hit a dead wall since this is most often either too late or almost absent.

In the absence of a proved guilt, the member enjoys the right to be considered innocent. However, in most cases, the member would not be considered for a post of respect within the organisation till absolved. I am not so sure even if this is justified. As we all know, well known criminals are able to enjoy all the privileges of MP till proven guilty.

You would also agree that charging any male with sexual harassment is quite easy and therefore official condemnation bypassing the official judicial process of law may amount to unfairness or taking action on a matter which is subjudice. As an ex-president of IMA-NEBS and AMC, I am sure that in any case where a member has been found to be guilty of such a crime, an expulsion would definitely be considered.

Even if I am not the official spokesman of either of these associations, I am sure they would concur with my opinion.

Dr Ketan Parikh
Peadiatric Surgeon
Jaslok Hospital
Mumbai

Well-written Article

The cover story of March issue-'Bulls Behind, Bears Ahead?' on Wockhardt IPO, written by Nancy Singh, was well written and researched. The article has come out very well. Many congrats!

Alok Dalal
Research Analyst
Religare Securities Ltd
Mumbai

I would like to appreciate the efforts taken by Col (Dr) SKM Rao and his team for bringing out the NABH deficiency comparative in the March issue of your magazine. This should go a long way in helping the accredited as well as the to-be assessed hospitals to look for the gaps in the highlighted areas from the article. This will help in reducing any complacency. The other content worth appreciating is the editors 'Opinion'. I have noted down a few points for my ongoing restructuring of the hospital website.

Dr Akash S Rajpal
Sr Manager
Dr L H Hiranandani
Hospital
Mumbai