I have heard and read about the “mistreatment” of doctors, particularly housemen, in our government hospitals. Most of the complaints are made by parents who raise the issues of young doctors being mishandled and yelled at by senior officers, having to work through public holidays and stay on call.

One must understand that being a doctor requires a certain amount of sacrifices. It is the longest undergraduate programme to follow because it deals with the most important thing: trying to save lives and healing the sick.

People do not choose to fall sick and they do not know when an accident is about to occur. As such, a doctor must be readily available, regardless of what day or what time it is. The satisfaction of the job is from the help that you have provided to these unfortunate people.

All doctors know that the job requires sacrifices very early into medical school and yet we pursue it because of our desire to help others in need.

Yet so many complaints about poor pay, long working hours and other negative things have been said, but what about the good things and benefits that are never mentioned?

That every time you go on-call, meals are provided and a bed is available for you to sleep and rest, Nurses will wake you when you are needed. Not only are the doctors working through the night, the medical assistants, nurses and senior officers are all doing the same.

So how come we hear only housemen are complaining? Maybe it is time we stop whining and appreciate the fact that we have a job and a salary and are helping others despite an economic downturn.

21 Jan 2010

everybody have right to complain.. hahaha