Is Reservation in Medicine Justified?

When you are in a supermarket, you buy the best and durable product. You do so to save your money. Similarly, when in a hospital, you want the best doctor. You do so to save your life. However, some proponents of reservation believe that merely undergoing training makes one a qualified doctor. This notion is fundamentally flawed. Let's delve deeper into the implications of reservation in the field of medicine.

The Need for Merit

Merit is paramount in any profession, especially in the field of medicine where lives are on the line. Just as a woodcutter cannot be given an AK-47 to fight a war, someone incapable of performing their job correctly cannot be trusted with responsibilities requiring specialized knowledge and skills. Reservation is justified when individuals possess the necessary qualifications and aptitude for the job.

A Historical Perspective on Reservation

The idea of reservation stems from the belief that past wrongdoings should be rectified. However, this approach has not led to the intended outcomes. Instead, it has created a new form of inequality. For instance, a Brahmin family living in slums is no different from a member of a Scheduled Caste (SC) family who is already earning lakhs. Yet, both use their reservation status to secure positions. Clearly, these practices fail to address the core issues but rather adapt them to fit current social constructs.

Moreover, politicians who make grand promises and claim to be the saviors of the lower classes often fail to deliver. They will not allow reservation-based doctors to treat them. If anything, these politicians will seek treatment in foreign countries like the US or Italy where access to quality healthcare is ensured without the constraints of reservation.

Social Discrimination and Reservation

Reservation is not a panacea for social discrimination. In fact, it can perpetuate it. For example, there are instances where people prefer doctors from the general category because they perceive them as more qualified. This is not based on prejudice, but rather on a conscious decision to choose someone who has demonstrated their abilities through rigorous exams.

Furthermore, when qualified individuals are forced out of the country due to reservation policies, the country faces a crisis of desh bhakti (patriotism). Politicians exploit this by giving speeches about brain drain, media coverage is devoid of meaningful action. Over time, these individuals, having achieved success abroad, become further removed from their homeland. When they return to positions of power or wealth, they often distance themselves from India, further exacerbating the problem.

The Reality of Reservation

The example of Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the USA, and Rishi Sunak, a potential future Prime Minister of the UK, underscore this fact. These individuals often need to prove their allegiance to their adopted countries and distance themselves from their origins. This is not necessarily because they have a biased view against India, but more because of the inherent politics and beliefs surrounding dual citizenship and patriotism.

Personal Experiences and Observations

My observations of Indian families and their attitudes towards reservation further support these conclusions. It is disheartening when individuals from privileged backgrounds seek reservation benefits, reflecting a system that has not truly addressed the core issues.

Some might argue that reservation can help alleviate discrimination. However, my experience suggests that it often leads to further discrimination based on perceived qualifications. For example, a Dalit doctor might be avoided over a Brahmin doctor due to prejudiced beliefs, even if the Dalit doctor is just as qualified or more so.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reservation in medicine is not a solution. It may have been justified in the past, but in its current form, it is detrimental to the system. Unless a way is found to ensure that only the most qualified and meritorious individuals are given the important positions in medicine, reservation is little more than an ineffective response to historical grievances.

.CreateTable, in short: The country is screwed.