Editor,
A hospital is often the final refuge for people carrying pain, fear, and uncertainty. It is where anxious parents wait for answers, elderly patients seek relief from suffering, and families cling to hope in moments of despair. In such a place, compassion should be as essential as medicine itself.
It is therefore deeply concerning that many patients and attendants have expressed distress over the discourteous and insensitive manner in which some doctors at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) reportedly communicate with those seeking care. While the medical treatment they receive may be adequate, the experience is sometimes overshadowed by harsh words, dismissive attitudes, or a lack of empathy. Such encounters leave emotional scars that can linger long after physical ailments have healed.
No one questions the immense burden carried by doctors. They work long hours, face overwhelming patient loads, and make life-changing decisions under constant pressure. Their service deserves appreciation and gratitude. Yet the pressures of the profession should never diminish the fundamental values that define medicine: respect, patience, kindness, and humanity. Patients do not expect miracles; they simply hope to be treated with dignity.
The relationship between a doctor and a patient is built on trust. A reassuring explanation, a calm voice, or a moment of genuine empathy can ease fear more effectively than many medicines. Conversely, rude or insensitive communication can discourage patients from seeking timely medical attention, erode confidence in public healthcare, and deepen the emotional suffering of those already in distress.
This concern should not be viewed as criticism of the entire medical community. The TRIHMS is home to many dedicated doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who serve tirelessly with skill and compassion despite significant challenges. Their commitment deserves recognition. The purpose of raising this issue is to encourage reflection and continuous improvement, so that every patient receives not only competent medical care but also humane treatment.
The hospital administration may consider strengthening patient-centred care by promoting effective communication, providing regular training in interpersonal skills, and ensuring that patient feedback and grievances are addressed fairly and constructively. Such measures would enhance trust and reinforce the values that every healthcare institution strives to uphold.
The true measure of a hospital is not only the number of lives it saves but also the dignity with which it treats every person who enters its doors. Medicine heals the body, but compassion heals the spirit. Let us ensure that both remain inseparable in our healthcare system.
A concerned citizen