Doctors with Disabilities

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