Modern medical practice

Abusive modem medical practice
Creates scares about allergies,
osteoporosis,
Cancer, high cholesterol and diabetes.

And blows diseases out of all proportion.
People are stampeded into check-ups and monthly tests,
Boosted by sales personnel and advertisers,
Who promote hospitals and ‘services’,
So that well or ill,
people are subjected to tests.

Tests often reveal ‘disorders’ that cause no disease,
Causmg anxiety on the need for ‘intervention’,
Converting asymptomatic persons into patients
To whom the doctor now prescribes expensive treatment.

Care providers get commissions and bonus,
Good for specialists, laboratories
Pharmacies and lawyers.
Gut not for the patient whose woes worsen

Doctors’ ineptitude arises,
as they treat trivial complaints by complex means,
Producing doctor-made diseases
cryptically termed iatrogenic.

As superfluous tests disturb health and peace of mind,
Superstitions, phobias and socio-cultural influences
Lead to change of physicians,
Pushing many to alternative medical systems.

Is there a cure?
Mushrooming nursing homes and diagnostic laboratories
Must be subject to quality control and national norms.
Health care delivery must be delinked from profiteering.

Professionals must bc made to apply medical ethics,
The public must acquire health awareness,
Seek education for healthy living,
And modify life-style to prevent and promote health.