Why in news?
Delhi High Court has ordered the formation of a committee of experts, to examine if students with hearing impairment and dyslexia can pursue MBBS/BDS courses.
What is the court's order on?
- The order came after two cases of students with the said disabilities were denied admission to medical colleges.
- The court’s order has opened up a debate on two important aspects.
- One is the actual inability of those who are physically challenged to perform a task.
- The other is whether those with specific physical and mental disabilities should be allowed to become doctors.
- It is also to do with social attitude towards those with physical and mental disabilities.
What are the concerns in perceptions?
- The claim of inability of those who suffer from physical disabilities is not a well established one.
- There are ample examples from various fields (including medicine) where such people have excelled.
- So clearly, it is not their disability that impedes special people.
- It is rather the inability of society to provide opportunities for accessibility, and acceptance for them.
- Moreover, technological progress has opened new spheres of care, functionality and hence, inclusiveness.
- So evidently, the inability of those with disabilities is nothing more than a non-inclusive thought process.
How is it dealt in the US?
- In the United States, more than 20% of Americans live with a disability.
- But only 2% of practising physicians have disabilities.
- Despite the tiny numbers, they have associations of physicians with disabilities.
- They fight for the rights of their members.
- Also, they conduct studies to evaluate the functionality and patient attitudes towards doctors with disabilities.
- Most of these associations work within the purview of the Americans with Disability Act.
- There is thus a presence of a strong and effective statute in the US.
- It provides the associations the scope to look into issues with the medical curricula.
- They ensure that disabled-friendly curriculum is adopted throughout the country.
What is the case in India?
- In India, despite efforts by governments and activists, disability continues to be a social taboo.
- Doctors with disabilities are a minuscule part of any population.
- In the absence of scientific studies, this figure remains unknown in India.
- India does not have any association or organisation to work for the cause of doctors with disabilities.
- Even the recently formulated Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, has not dealt on the subject in detail.
What is to be done?
- Doctors, if not the first, are surely the most important contact point for the diseased and the disabled.
- A person with disabilities will be more understanding towards a patient in a similar situation.
- Thus, there is a need to modify our medical curricula.
- It has to be more willing to include students with physical and mental disabilities.
- Technical standards and counselling competencies of medical education institutes have to be redefined.
- This is to better define the needs of medical students with disabilities.
Source: Indian Express
