Raqif Makhdoomi
“Ye nimoyn doctar’as nish, ye chu sakh bamar” the line we all say when we see our loved ones suffering from disease. Some illnesses are life-threatening, while others are mild. “Doctar soub me gassie jaldi pahan farq gassan, mee chu sakh azab.” These words reflect our hope and trust in doctors.
In today’s time, doctors play an immensely important role. With rising health issues, especially the surge in cancer cases, their responsibility has multiplied. We all witnessed how doctors worked day and night when COVID-19 was at its peak. Many couldn’t go home for weeks, fearing they might infect their families. Numerous doctors lost their lives in that battle, but their names remain unknown. Unlike other professions where those who die in the line of duty are remembered for centuries, doctors who sacrifice their lives saving others are often forgotten.
Every day, people walk into hospitals with hope hope to see themselves or their loved ones healthy again. The frantic movement in hospital corridors reflects the trust people have in doctors. “Doctar soub, me chu kunie shur ye bachavun,” cries a helpless mother or father when their only son meets with an accident. These scenes, though heartbreaking, show the immense faith we place in doctors, even knowing that much lies beyond their control. Yet, we still look at them with unwavering hope.
The real display of emotion unfolds when a pregnant woman is taken inside the operation theatre, and her family waits outside, anxious yet hopeful. Their first trust is in Allah, and then in the team of doctors inside. The father, often the most worried, relaxes only when he hears that a well-known doctor is performing the surgery. A human being treating another human being yet the trust makes all the difference. That’s what doctors are human beings we believe can do the extraordinary, sometimes even magic.
Doctors play a crucial role in every situation war, disaster, epidemic, or crisis. Yet, they rarely receive the credit they deserve. This neglect is not only unfortunate but deeply heartbreaking.
Crimes against doctors have become alarmingly frequent. The rape and murder of a doctor in West Bengal shook the conscience of humanity. What happened afterward? Protests, outrage, and then silence. Life moved on as if nothing had happened.
In Kashmir, too, doctors have become easy targets. Every other day, videos surface on social media showing doctors being assaulted. The most disturbing part isn’t the violence itself but the public reactions people justifying the attacks. In one viral video, a doctor was beaten by an attendant whose patient had died. The man accused the doctor of negligence. Viewers ignored the fact that the doctor was a junior on night duty, following instructions from seniors. We end up punishing the already overburdened and stressed.
Multiple such videos have emerged from different hospitals, and disturbingly, some people openly endorse this violence. In an X (formerly Twitter) Space discussion, where a few users defended such attacks, I asked a simple question:
“Will you slap a Tehsildar because he delayed your work? Will you slap an SHO because he didn’t act on your complaint? Will you slap a traffic policeman for issuing a challan? Or a judge because your case is delayed?”
Everyone fell silent. They knew the truth — we fear the consequences of misbehaving with these officials. But doctors have no such protection, and that makes them vulnerable.
A doctor in the same discussion politely said, “Our rules allow us not to see a patient whose attendant misbehaves provided the case isn’t serious. But we never refuse to see any patient.”
Becoming a doctor is not easy. Cracking NEET and getting into the desired stream takes years of hard work. Once in, free time becomes a luxury. Long hours in labs and hospitals, sleepless nights, and constant pressure define their journey. It takes immense dedication and sacrifice to finally become a doctor something most people fail to appreciate.
Recently, a young doctor, Dr. Tariq ul Islam, an intern at SKIMS, lost his life while on duty. His death has shaken his colleagues and left his parents shattered. Becoming a doctor is not only mentally and physically exhausting but also financially draining. His parents must have invested everything in his education, never imagining they would have to bury their son so young, along with his dreams.
Dr. Tariq had been suffering from flu for several days but reportedly continued to attend his duties despite being unwell. Doctors believe he may have succumbed to viral pericarditis. His sudden death has left the medical community in shock, sparking a debate over the punishing work hours interns and residents endure.
The demand to reduce working hours for interns and senior residents is now gaining traction. Social media is filled with grief, anger, and regret. Dr. Tariq’s friends describe him as a lively and healthy person. His martyrdom should serve as an eye-opener doctors continue to serve society, often ignoring their own well-being. Tragically, even when he was ill, he wasn’t granted leave.
Let us hope that things improve for interns, senior residents, and doctors in general.
I pay my heartfelt homage to Dr. Tariq ul Islam for his tremendous service, for laying down his precious and valuable life in the line of duty.
Rest in peace, Doctor.
