Actor Aamir Khan on Wednesday refused to apologise to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which has accused him of defaming the medical profession through his TV show “Satyamev Jayate.” He said he was ready to face any legal action threatened by it.
“I am very comfortable if they [IMA] plan to take legal action if they feel that I have done something wrong. Of course, the courts are available for them. My answer is no, I will not be apologising,” Aamir told NDTV.
“I have the highest respect and regard for the medical profession,” he said.
In an episode aired on May 27, the actor highlighted the malpractices in the medical profession.
The IMA had demanded an immediate apology from Aamir and warned him of legal action if he failed to do so.
“Aamir Khan should apologise for having defamed and given one side of the story on medical profession. If he does not, we are contemplating to take legal action against him for defaming and demoralising the medical profession in his TV show,” IMA Secretary-General D.R. Rai had said.
Aamir, who has been focusing on social evils through the show, said his show was not against doctors or the medical profession.
“If the medical profession has been insulted and defamed by anybody, it is probably by those who are indulging in unethical practises,” the actor said.
Keywords: Aamir Khan, Indian Medical Association, Satyamev Jayate
Everyone of us know that the doctors involve in malpractice in India. But unfortunatley not many can afford to visit western countries where the malppractice is negligible. I personally feel atleast 99% of the doctors in India is unethical in one way or other. Would we be able to clean the professon, I doubt verymuch until the entire nation changes it attitude towards corruption. As almost 99% of Indians are corrupt in mind, how would you expect one profession to be honest. So all that we can do is to conduct reality shows and write article in paper, but nothing will change for another few decades.
Why should Amir apologise!! whatever he has shown on 27th May'12, IMA should cancel itself all license of those Doctors' who are in unethical practices. Salute to Mr. Amir KHan.
here m not supporting aamir khan, but supporting his idea of cleansing
medical impurities. he hasn't affected the the purity of medical science
but has highlited the malpractices going on in this profission, doctors
are considered as second god. they must be helpful whole heartedly, not
money focused. they must know 1 thing that they are doctors not dacoits.
i salute the way of your thinking Aamir Khan , by the way my name is balaji and my brotherinlaw is a doctor and when ever i feel some kind of illness , i contact to my brotherinlaw and when ever we sit together we always discuss about the recent topic long before satyamev jayate program , he always says that a lot of medicines which are available in market are very low cost but still if you want from some reputed brand , you are bound to give much more money or high price for that , but why? The answer is your faithfulness for that particular brand u think that it may better than the low cost medicines... Aamirji ... we will stand with you till our last breath...so keep it up... lastly i salute all the members who are directly or indirectly connected with your program... Jai hind...
If IMA wants take legal action on Mr.aamir khan let it take action 1st on doctors those whose who are sqezing money from the patients by selling doctor's samples also to higher price.
The best thing IMA can do is hide in shame and work on fixing the actual problem - rampant malpractice from start to end, from admissions to practice. And as a society, we should stop 'buying' doctor grooms for higher rate. Bring them down to earth. The society needs all kinds of professionals, Doctors, Engineers, the IT guys, the babus, the petty shop owners, the mothers who run the family...we need everybody. As parents, we should stop glorifying any one profession. Just as much as we want our kids to succeed in life, life is not all about being an MBBS - it is about leading a disciplined life with humility, instead of horns. IMA thinks it is invincible because of us parents who push our kids to give the entrance test for MBBS.
I do agree that some Doctors indulge in malpractice and irregularities, that doesn’t me that the entire Doctors community is bad has pictured by Amir Khan’s TV show , who may not know about this Nobel professional. How many of those who have posted comments in this column are 100% honest in their professions / personal life. I would like to mention here that we Indians are bundle of contradictories i.e. we always expect opponent to be honest & good but not us. Please not that I am not a doctor , I am writing this comment on behalf of millions/ Billions of people in India & across the world to show our gratitude to the doctor community for healing & saving people from several life threatening diseases
Mr. Aamir Khan must not apologize..He hadn't said anything wrong either..If IMA is so much concerned about the medical situation in India then it should conduct some surprise visits of some of government hospitals in rural and semi-urban areas.. I'm sure the results will open their eyes..
Amir is not responsible for defaming IMA,their doctors are.No case of
suspension of licence since 5 years!!!
Insted Aamir,via his show,gave IMA a chance to improve.
we all are with you Aamir Sir,we all are with the truth!and the truth
shall win.."Satyamev Jayte"..
I am very Sad to see a comment from a qualified Doctor in the list above asking media to also show off the corruption from the other professions like politician, bureaucrats, Engineers, lawyers etc and stating that Corruption is the integral part of Indian society, where are our Values and Morale moving? somehow at some point the cleanup has to start it could be Medical Profession or some other.
For all those people criticising Medical practitioners have never seen someone become a doc, have never seen a day in docs life and will never be able to appreciate what docs bring to society.
For a guy who lifts a complete story from someone else's novel, claims to be his own has no right to claim he is one who is trying to make a difference.
It is a fact of life in India that professional ethics are at its lowest in India. Doctors are no exception to this hard reality. Medical expenses have become so high that they are beyond the reach of the common man.Doctors are making hay because of the increase in diseases like diabetes,depression,heart attacks,cancer and other ailments of mind and body.A sedentary health style and wrong eating habits gives rise to a lot of mind-body ailments.
It is a routine practice that Doctors admit patients to private hospitals for minor ailments and collect commission from them. It is a well known fact that some doctors act as touts and assist in organ transplant operations.
Many pharmaceutical companies send Doctors on foreign trips or present them with expensive gifts so that they prescribe their medicines.Even common medicines have become so expensive that they are beyond the reach of a poor person.
It is high time the Judiciary and Parliament take serious note of the medical malpractices.
Aamir is right in his aproach. I dnt say all doctors are bad, but most
doctor's intention is to make money bt not to help the needy. Aamir in
his show kept stressing on one word "intention".. Why doesnt the
IMA/IMC understand and punish the one who are defaming their profession
instead of barking at the one who exposed them.
The best action Indian Medical Association (IMA), can do is to correct themselves and cancel Licenses of all Doctors who do unethical Medical Practice in India. IMA does not have detective capability. Hence should seek the help of CBI or State Police in finding out all Doctors who are doing unethical Medical Proactice.
The best action IMA can do is to correct themselves and cancel Licenses of all Doctors who do unethical Medical Practice in India. IMA does not have detective capability. Hence should seek the help of CBI or State Police in finding out all Doctors who are doing unethical Medical Proactice.
The question is not, whether Aamir should apologize or not. But, what action has been taken by Medical Association to punish the guilty doctors or to investigate the same in the first place. How far the Association has been successful to stop selling and buying of medical seats, prevent ragging, issue of false medical certificates, solving the matter of filling form first and treatment later. Intention is not to prove anyone right or wrong, but, to analyze, whether Association could prove Aamir's allegations are wrong and Aamir could prove his words are correct. The best Association should do, is to take the necessary action against wrongdoers and then question back the actor, NOW PROVE US WRONG....which will not only solve the contention, but, restore the faith of the people in the medical profession.
Funny part is that the reason for lament for the doctors is that
corruption exists in all the professions so why pinpoint only doctors
!!!
Should not they be given equal opportunity to indulge in malpractice and
make some quick buck ???
Aamir had showcased the malpractices happenning in the medical field in
his show. During the show he had mentioned that this was being done by
the 'rotten eggs' present in that field and not by every doctors.
IMA taking it too personally just increases the suspicions of the public
that even the IMA medical professionals are included in such activities.
This is typical of most "professional" organizations in India. It is
the same, tired mentality of squaring off against someone who is
trying to encourage positive change in a country rife with woes.
Instead of applauding Aamir Khan for bringing the misdeeds of some
members of the medical profession to the attention of the public, the
IMA has instead opted to issue a legal challenge alleging defamation.
Perhaps the IMA's energy would be better spent taking to task the
erring medical practitioners! What a shame!
Problem lies in the belief in the medical community that doctors deserve
an exception in everything they do..the way high above average income
they extract rather than that is feasible from the society, the respect
and privileges they demand rather command..and the exclusivity they
crave for....why can't they be just another part of the society albeit a
vital one..living as just one among us
Is Amir Khan cleansing the medical profession,is this all about ,if u bash a populist u become popular phenomena . please try to understand the fact that, the policy makers should be held responsible, has it happened any time. why ,blame the sepoy for the battle lost. doctors by and large , have made a big sacrifice in their life , from studying hard to working hard in harsh and difficult environment ,( like infective wards ,TB ,HIV for eg , and operating on them as well, does Mr khan know how many doctors ,have been infected )its not cinema Mr khan ,that goody always wins and baddy always looses , this is life there is a reason for things people do , lets not be judgemental, let them have a policy and even stricter enforcement of it , this selective abortion even happens in developed world , but they have stricter rules so it deters people .
The best action IMA can do is to correct themselves and cancel Licenses of all Doctors who do unethical Medical Practice in India. IMA does not have detective capability. Hence should seek the help of CBI or State Police in finding out all Doctors who are doing unethical Medical Proactice.
Instead of wasting time waiting for an apology,the IMA should take measures against those defaming the noble profession by unethical practices.
Nothing amounts defamation in the episode.IMA is trying to save its face by threatening to recourse a legal action
Aamir is right. The IMA should look into cleaning up the medical profession and the doctors
who follow unethical practices instead of pointing fingers at people like Aamir who bring out
the negatives of unprincipled doctors. Aamir Khan has earned a great amount of respect of
the common man by being courageous in bringing out the social and professional evils in our
country. Unless we address these issues the country is not capable of moving forward into a
truly developed nation. Each of us has to be the change we want of our country.
To the doctors: And mind it I come from a family of doctors. Is your respect so
shallow that even highlighting the malpractices feels like defamation to you? Well
think again. What this show (irrespective of who is driving it) is just to get the wrong
things in light and perspective. From my point of view, it is a very good act - for one
it will help people keep their eyes open , and for two and a much larger cause IMA
should take a cue from this show and start fast at making sure that they can keep
the slate clean and try to curb the wrong practices. IMA listening????
In any things goes wrong we can't say that all people are wrong . In a Medical field this type of lots of things are happening. some of the news are able to come out . Can We can change this type of thing , the people of india and the Govt Will have to take correct measures . in-spite of taking corrective measure BY IMA they are blaming Amir khan nobody thinks why he comments like this because he had come to know the truth ............
Whats wrong in pinpointing the misdeeds of some doctors who are after
fleecing the poor people. After all IMA should answer to nation why any
action was not initiated against such demons. Do they have any answer
against the charges of corruption against IMA ex boss? Who they are
trying to fool and protect? The episode clearly saluted those duty bound
honest doctors. IMA should introspect. All people can not be fooled all
the times!
The show was a little harsh for the medical professionals but if the
glimpse of the truth was so shameful than what could be the complete
story. Why the IMA doesn't feel ashamed when the chief of the MCI
couldn't commit to take action upon the defaulters of a case in Andhra
pradesh when he was asked directly in front of the whole public? Why the
IMA can't immediately look upon the cases show cased on the television
and find the culprits, and if everything was right in order and the
serial was to DEFAME IMA than proceed with the legal proceedings.
#SatyamevJayate
Aamir denial of making apology to Indian Medical Association was bold
and bonafide decision. When the politicians, actors, social activists
and bureaucrats are blamed severely for their wrongdoings why the
doctors like them discharging their duties in the public interest
should be left untouched and gone unnoticed. Doctors’ malpractices
have got to be noticed and come to surface and their unethical
practices should be taken before the people under the various available
sources. Aamir Khan has done nothing with malafide intention to defame
the characters of medical professionals rather he digs up the secret
reality of the society, following the freedom of speech and expression
enshrined as fundamental rights according to constitution. Doctors are
unnecessary making hue and cry over the extensive research based
Stayamev jayate programme which trying to expose the prevalent social
stigmas in the society, much to public interest and instill sense of
knowledge into the innocent minds.
A more intelligent thing for IMA, IMC etc. would be to create transparent redressal
mechanisms whenever anyone encounters medical malpractices. They should take the
responsibility to highlight honest and diligent efforts in the medical field.
The IMA is petulant and throwing a tantrum here, hardly what you would expect of a dignified
professional body. Too bad they do not like what they saw when a mirror was held up to their
professional practices. The demand for an apology from a critique shows defensiveness and
a lack of professionalism.
The IMA should take a constructive approach and use this feedback to overhaul and
improve their professional code of conduct. This is what would befit a dignified professional
body they claim to be.
Kudos to Aamir Khan for highlighting certain defects in our medical profession. The
malpractices in the profession are hardly a secret and so it is nonsensical for the IMA to
raise a hue and cry over a free and frank discussion. I do have doctors in the family and
nobody has been insulted by the program at all. In fact the IMA must be thankful to Aamir
Khan and use this as an opportunity for self reflection and much needed cleansing.
Shame of the IMA. It should be investigating the culprits shown on the show and initiating ways on putting its own house in order - thereby working towards gaining the trust of the ordinary man. Instead they find it better to engage in proving Amir wrong! Come on guys, wake up; the nations' watching you. You as doctors, are uniquely placed in society. Work responsibly and people will understand.
Doctors should be open to criticism. The Doctors in making should go
through this entire episode and shape themselves that the next
generation Doctors would uphold the medical ethics.
With so many black sheep among the members of fraternity of Doctors
and IMA signal failure to initiate disciplinary action on
defaulters, it has no moral authority to demand an apology from
Aamir. But at the same time Aamir should make amends to salute the
likes of extraordinary Noble Peace Prize worth of work of eminently
qualified doctors team from reputed AIIMS and CMC at Jan Swasthya
Sahyog (JSS). JSS is a voluntary, non-profit, registered society
committed to developing a low-cost and effective health programme
that provides both preventive and curative services in the tribal
and rural areas of Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state in
central India. These doctor patriots I quote “ had given up
lucrative jobs, sparkling city lights and hefty pay packets to
settle with families and school going children in remote tribal area
in pursuit of dream: a dream to provide quality health care to the
poorest of the poor”.
Instead of creating such a hue and cry about what was reported by him,
IMA should go and check what is happening in their own yard.
Indian Medical Association, please wake up to the reality. This episode brought to light the existing malpractices in the medical profession which should not exist at the first place. It is obvious that the medical regulators aren't performing well. Aamir has done their job. Legal actions should be initiated not against the whistle blower but against doctors who are in violation of their Hippocratic Oath.
Corruption is the integral part of Indian society. The profession of politician, bureaucrats, Engineers, lawyers all are party to corruption one way or another. There is kickbacks involved in all the cases. The most intriguing part was that Aamir used a sort of media trial for sub-judice cases of medical negligence without the involved doctors with him in the show. Why don,t he highlights the kickbacks received by bureaucrats ??? Engineers in receiving 2% of tender money, as bribe. What about lawyers receiving money from both party.If Aamir khan comes up with shows on almost all major profession, he is fair in his approach. If NO then then there is victimization of doctors.
Where is the need for Amir Khan to apologies,when truth is glaring.When seats in Medical colleges cost as much as 50-60lakhs per seat,when the profession has buried deep their conscience,whats wrong in calling a spade a spade.That Indian Medical Council had done nothing till date,to expose these scoundrels in white coats,Instead of exposing their colleagues,they joined up in shielding them,which proves that they are hypochrites and not one to stand by their Hippocratic oath
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