Inspired by this news, which has recently been published, I am writing this article. The Minister of Health in the Republic of Croatia, of course a member of the HDZ, was arrested for corruption that included working with the Croatian underground. Brilliant, in Croatia criminals and moral scoundrels have been doing whatever they want for a long time. We all know that. But if we step away from that immoral scums for a second, I would like to say something on medicine in general.
The medical profession has been plagued by corruption for many years; this is no longer a secret. The current system fosters misery and despair, with patients often receiving the least benefit.
To begin, let’s address the allocation of medical specialties. In Croatia, it is well known that personal connections frequently dictate these allocations. Typically, the children of doctors are favored over those from less privileged backgrounds. This practice ensures that specializations remain ‘in the family.’ However, medicine is also a business, and personal animosities can influence professional decisions. Doctors may deny each other’s children specializations or engage in mutual blackmail due to personal conflicts.
It is crucial to recognize the exceptions to this trend. Some doctors perform their duties with integrity, unaffected by nepotism or corruption. These professionals deserve commendation, and this critique is not directed at them.
Another significant issue is the treatment of residents in hospitals. They are often regarded as second-rate individuals, subjected to an unhealthy hierarchy. Criticizing a senior doctor can jeopardize their careers. Moreover, residents on rotation from other hospitals are frequently overlooked.
What is most egregious is how doctors sponsor their congresses, conferences, and trips through corporate funding. This practice is driven by vested interests, with companies offering luxury perks in exchange for doctors prescribing their drugs or purchasing their devices. This blatant conflict of interest severely impacts patient well-being. When will governments act to ban such behavior? Legislation should prevent companies that produce medical equipment and medicines from openly financing these activities. A tender system, monitored strictly, could anonymize corporate financing, preventing nepotism while supporting knowledge transfer and lifelong learning.
As an academic community and within the medical profession, we must acknowledge that the best medications and devices are often not prescribed. Instead, those with the strongest connections and covert agreements are favored. When will this end? How did we allow medicine to become so corrupt? Medicine should heal people and remain a noble profession, not one tainted by individuals seeking status and power under pharmaceutical influence.
Moreover, the advertising of medicines should be banned. Medications should be prescribed based on necessity and efficacy, prioritizing those that are most effective and have the fewest side effects.
The saddest reality is that some medical solutions are not produced because they are not profitable. Companies have the knowledge and capacity to save thousands of lives but choose not to due to profit concerns. Companies also hold thousands of unused patents solely for potential lucrative lawsuits.
I urge engineers, doctors, and pharmacists to unite and refuse to work for corporations prioritizing profit over people. Instead, let’s establish our own ethical and efficient companies that serve all participants. Let’s reject inhumane practices and restore integrity to the medical profession.
We should celebrate the diligent, incorruptible doctors who perform their duties honorably and refuse to prescribe drugs involved in bribery. Let’s honor those who fight for patients, dedicating their lives in the operating room and bringing joy to families through their knowledge and skills.
It’s time to end arrogance, corruption, bribery, and the practice of profiting from others’ misfortunes. Patients should not be treated as a necessary evil. We don’t need such a system.
The system needs to be changed urgently, and we can change it if we change ourselves.
