June-30, 2018 early morning newspaper and I read a headline that brings gloom to me, it reads, ” A doctor on duty in South Kashmir declares his son dead”. When I read the story of Dr. Abdul Gani Poswal, a medical officer in Pulwama District hospital who received his son Faizan aged 15 years in emergency, tried desperately to revive him, failed and had to declare him ‘Brought dead’-I couldn’t hold back my tears. My bleeding heart thumped and cried, wanting to escape me, and eager to fall at the feet of a doctor working in a conflict zone who had to declare his son, ‘Brought dead’. I read the doctor concerned followed the protocol and did all what was required of him before finally breaking down.
Next day, it was July 1st- again a morning newspaper in my hand but this time adored with congratulatory messages for doctors. I was reminded of this day being special. Special day- because July 1st is celebrated by Medical Fraternity as the ‘Doctors day’. This day belongs to doctors as on this day that doctors are remembered for their dedication, commitment and their selfless service. All those who value doctors for what they are and what they do, greet them with a message on this day. What a beautiful gesture, what a pretty feeling it arouses!
While saluting Dr. Poswal for his strength and patience, I cannot help but admire the services that doctors in Kashmir have rendered over the last three decades of conflict. The doctors of Kashmir working in a conflict zone are the unsung heroes, the unknown warriors who fight a battle every day. They have been at the forefront rescuing humans without stratifying or categorizing them. Dr. Poswal’s grief is unmatched, so is his strength-I am sure though emotionally disturbed, he would not have exerted less on a patient in emergency who was not his son, not his brother, not anyone belonging to his tribe or clan, his race or religion- but ,would have helped anyone who sought his help as a doctor.
The conflict that has consumed more than one lakh lives, maimed, blinded, orphaned countless- doctors of Kashmir are an eye witness to this conflict which seems to be unending. The doctors working in Kashmir for the last 30-yrs have braved the conflict like no other Kashmiri has- responding to the physical needs of their own brethren, their mental trauma and helping them cope with their losses. They have displayed discipline amidst disaster, never refused treatment to anyone and upheld the Hippocratic oath.
No shower of pellets, no speed of bullets, no might of landmines has kept them off their duty. When, curfews and hartals have become a norm in Kashmir and when many Govt. employees are confined indoors, doctors have ritualistically and passionately attended to their duties. Many capable doctors fell victim to the conflict in Kashmir and many fled away to the safer havens. However, most doctors who have worked in the valley for the last 30 years have done so with grace and dignity upholding the sanctity and ethics of medical profession. The doctors who are presently serving in Kashmir are doing so amidst great stress and threat. In spite of the odds, they are working ,delivering and helping the sick and injured. They have worked on what has not been attempted elsewhere, redefined management protocols, rewritten the injury scenario and established new guidelines. The remarkable work that doctors in Kashmir did in 2016, working day and night to help patients who had pellet injuries surprised the experts who had come from other parts of India to help pellet victims. The job they did required patience and expertise which doctors serving in Kashmir displayed to their utmost capability. They did not demand any extra wages, any concessions or any special consideration. In fact their vacations were cancelled and they were on an alert mode for more than six months.
But doctors are human beings too and are the individuals who are themselves sick of this daily loss of life and this pain. They are the ones who would be most benefitted if peace returns to Valley. I was wondering, if we as a small community had a voice. I wish for peace and whatever that means. I wish for an end to this loss of life, this trauma. I wish for peace so that no doctor declares his son ‘brought dead’, I wish for peace so that no father lowers his son in grave, I wish for peace so that no youngsters are blinded, I wish for peace so that we all live. I wonder in this chaotic hour when the medical fraternity is suffering, why there is no call from doctors for peace and for an end to the conflict that has consumed us.
rumanahamid@rediffmail.com