Baba has said on many occasions that, Health is an essential requisite for man, it is the very root of all endeavours in the four fields of human achievement - dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha (liberation).
Even though the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and spiritual well being, we find that financial viability and institutionalisation have been rigid edicts that have stood at the entrance to centuries of social reform. In this setting, empathy, love and compassion seem to have taken a back seat and so have been grouped as pointless altruistic qualities. Empathy, love and compassion do not have to lead to a path of financial self destruction. On the contrary, they speed healing and result in immense patient and physician satisfaction, leading ultimately to corporate growth. More importantly, it puts the human before the science. This ideal, humane healthcare was experienced and seen by the author in the Sri Sathya Sai General and Super Specialty Hospitals.
In many countries the health care “industry” is built on a dichotomous relationship. The first point of contact for professionals like doctors, nurses, pharmacists and paramedics is, by and large, patients, while institutions, corporations and managers are bottom line driven. Modern medicine in developed countries is increasingly institution dependant. This has driven countries into a “healthcare crisis” in the form of funding and budget short falls or declining health indices or patient dissatisfaction. This raises the question of whether past ideals of patient care, with love and compassion, are compatible with corporate financial goals or, in short, do the workers in modern medicine have the time, accountability and financial resources to be loving and compassionate?
By taking the Sri Sathya Sai institutions as examples, the author has experienced and learnt that humane holistic health care is achievable, and is accomplished through several instruments namely the General hospitals, the Super Speciality hospitals, community care, medical camps, disaster relief, preventative health care, health maintenance and education.
More than any institution, the single most significant factor in the successful delivery of this vision of healthcare is Baba. His teachings and exemplary life have inspired thousands of individuals who/ deliver care for patients. Each health care professional in Baba’s system is suffused with a deep sense of love, empathy, compassion and commitment for every patient and works to his or her utmost abilities as if the patient were his own kith and kin. This inspired commitment produces excellent patient outcomes and is the essence of what is needed everywhere.
As individuals and youth how should we envisage and practice this ideal health care for all? Baba has said, “the units of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva organisation are engaged in enthusiastic service in the two areas of health and education. To maintain and improve the health of the people, continuous education on the principles and practices of hygiene and environmental cleanliness are essential. Education is the most effective safeguard against physical and mental ill health. So these two activities are closely interrelated.”
Thus, in essence, humane healthcare can be achieved by considering educare and medicare. Educare enables one to make a living and realise the truth of being a part of Sai’s creation. Hence it is essential to try to educate and practice ourselves before we can make recommendations to others, and hence live a life by example. Medicare has focused for over 30 years in Sai organisations on providing free medical camps and free clinics. Moreover, in countries such as Kenya, the organisation (under the Sainet project) works with the government to distribute insecticide treated mosquito nets to populations at risk of malaria.
With further examples such as tsunami relief, the water project and Sainet the combination of educare and medicare brings us back to the message that “prevention is better than cure”.
As a doctor and an individual trying to practice the teachings of Baba, the author thinks that it is our duty to ensure that we treat all with love and compassion and educate patients, and all fellow citizens with healthy living habits. If we are to do this, with God’s grace, we shall prevent illnesses and frequent visits to hospitals and hence reduce disease burdens and assist all to achieve the root of all endeavours on the path of life. To do this we have to realise that we don’t have to speak different languages or be medically qualified to practice “humane care”. We just have to use the language of the heart.
- Dr David Kaushaul