Even the Horses will refuse to run
I read your script on “Even the Horses will refuse to run” in the column of “off the Record” in Pulse Vol 26 No. 20, Oct 15-13, 2025. I agree with each word as I have always been your admirer to have an inbuilt courage to call a spade, a spade. Medical Profession Teaching, Research, Development, Healthcare Delivery, Advocacy, Communication, Managerial skills, empathy etc. in a noble profession. A nobility lies in mutual honour, respect and grace and not in humiliation. Nobility nurtures in soft environment and not in a loud rowdy backdrop. We can learn it in the educational institutions and hospitals in the developed world. There is meritocracy in induction of people and a delicate balance in rights and responsibilities (). Bureaucracy must not dominate and overpower the intellectuals or professionals. The entrust-able professionals specially doctors would spill away for the quest of respect and dignity and mediocre will stay back and the healthcare system may not flourish further. This may multiple with the coming generations and Pakistan will not rise in health sciences.
Never beat the galloping horse as it runs for grace and appreciation. Of course, the black sheep must be taken to task within the legal spectrum. By creating loud environment, we breach the doctor patient relationship. The patient and their attendant will start rowdyism within the scared boundaries of the hospitals. What are we nurturing?
Those medicines (drugs) which are not available in the hospital pharmacy and are life-saving or essential have to be prescribed and bought from the market. At the same time, the doctors may also get out the habits of polarization, leg-pulling, and must reveal punctuality, regularity, enthusiasm and empathy with the unprivileged ailing patients. It is our utmost duty to maintain our role as a role-model and bless this profession with grace. We must set as example rather quoting the example in the healthcare system.
Maj Gen [Retd]
Prof. Muhammad Aslam
professormaslam@yahoo.com
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An important and well-considered reflection. You have fairly and clearly brought attention to the difficulties faced by medical professionals. Strong, merit-based leadership and equitable accountability are necessary to restore morale and trust. In order to protect patient rights and physician dignity and ensure that care is driven by compassion rather than fear, I would also suggest establishing, in every institution, an independent “Medical Professionalism and Support Council.”
Dr. Kamran Sattar
drkamransattar@gmail.com
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A very well written and realistic piece of writing, But who will bell the cat. The politicians and elites ( so called) don’t even read these articles, neither do they care about the most skilled strata of the society. That’s the reason for brain drain and even the doctor’s kids are not willing to pursue this profession.
Saima Batool
saima.batool30@gmail.com
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Very sad but true depiction of the state of affairs. I am happy that you had courage to speak out.
Shabeen Naz Masood
sh_naz@yahoo.com
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The young doctors are disappointed by Government attitude when they can’t treat patients due to nonavailability of drugs. Government must look into matter seriously.
Tasnim Tahira
tasneemtahira192@yahoo.com
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Very well written, highlighting true state of affairs. This is so unfortunate. But appreciation for you to pen down. May the situation gets better for healthcare workers in Pakistan.
Nabila Talat
nabila.talat@chich.edu.pk
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A very pertinent and required review.
Dr. Aysha Zaheer
aysha-z65@hotmail.co.uk
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A powerful and painfully honest reflection. When systems blur the lines between the deserving and the indifferent, motivation dies, not because people stop caring, but because they stop being seen. True reform begins when leadership restores dignity, fairness, and trust at every level.
Dr. Noor-i-Kiran Haris
noorikiran@yahoo.com
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Very well written on a very important topic. Sometimes Well-intentioned plans can be a source of frustration and doing more harm than good if not executed properly. May the higher ups realize the ground realities.
Musarrat Riaz
drmusarratriaz@gmail.com
