My octogenarian father was on way to market on two-wheeler when he fell down. It wasn't an accident involving another party; just a solo debacle. How and why it happened, he himself couldn't recall. A passer-by was kind enough to take him home. Though injured badly, he was conscious and said he shouldn't be taken to hospital as he would be alright resting at home. Nevertheless, he was rushed to hospital in where an x-ray revealed he had fractured 5 ribs on right side of chest. Ribs are crescent bones that make a protective cage around lungs- the vital respiratory organs. I rushed to see him and found him in ICU ward. It was late at night but hearing my voice he opened his eyes and recognized me. Next morning a panel of 4 Doctors examined him and ruled he should be treated in general care. Accordingly he was shifted to one-bed A/C room. There was a bench adjacent to his bed where I slept by his side for 9 days attending to him. I was surprised to see that writing of a prescription was be-all and end-all of a doctor's duty. My father being diabetic, his blood sugar had shot up to 400 units (normal being 100). To have a check on it ` Insulin' was administered intravenously through gadget booted for a measured delivery. Insulin is the drug which lowers blood sugar to a desired level. Nursing staff would check blood sugar at regular intervals. One of their recordings was 70 units which is much lower than the normal blood sugar level of 100 units. When I expressed concern over this, I was told that the dose of insulin has been reduced. I said there was no point in reducing the dose, what ought to be done was to stop intravenous use of insulin immediately. Nursing assistant on duty said he would stop insulin only on the direction of panel doctor. When I asked for doctor's number, he said I collect it from reception downstairs. I went down to reception and dialed to doctor. I said I am guardian of your patient and a post graduate in Veterinary Pathology. I am telling you my education so that you don't mind my interference. I want insulin drip to be stopped immediately. Should the sugar level rise subsequently, it should be controlled with intra muscular route. Doctor didn't quite subscribe to my opinion, but couldn't convince me of his view point either. This is not the way, he said, annoyed. Lastly though he gave up, and directed nursing staff to disconnect insulin from drip arrangement.

 One morning a doctor informed that we would be discharged from hospital on day next. When Orthopedist came on round, he said we should stay put for two days more. Discharging a patient is a critical decision. I wonder how one doctor could take it without consulting others in the panel.

 Right from day 1 of my stay in hospital I tried to strike a chord with doctors and the paramedical staff. Doctors were generally phlegmatic and pedantic. Ostensibly they didn't like questioning of any kind. Paramedical staff and class 4 employees were tip hungry. As if they drew no salary from the Hospital and depended solely on mercy of the sick and the dying.

Indeed leaving the hospital was big relief.