Eyewash and ridiculous -- these were the terms the High Court used to describe the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) report on the tragic death of a child from anesthesia during a routine circumcision.

The High Court further characterized the report as an attempt to evade liability and expressed concern regarding the presence of mafias. For the average citizen, such a scathing rebuke of this crucial government agency could be viewed as an indictment of the helplessness we face when dealing with our medical establishment.

Despite previous media reports of alleged medical negligence or mistreatment, very little seems to have come of these. This may in part be due to the intricate and resource-intensive nature of the legal system. Furthermore, families grappling with such losses, undergo severe trauma as it is; revisiting that in the courts may further heighten their suffering.

Hence, the importance of institutions such as the DGHS in protecting peoples lives. When the High Court describes their investigation as eyewash and ridiculous, where is the everyday citizen left to go?

In 2011, film director Tareque Masud and cinematographer Ashfaque Munier Mishuk met their untimely and tragic deaths in a highway accident. Despite the outpouring of grief, little progress seems to have been made in road safety. Tareques spouse, Catherine Masud, continues her ground-breaking legal battle to ensure that road crash victims and their families may have a means to be legally compensated for their losses.

In 2018, two high school students were killed when a speeding bus ploughed into them. Young students marched on to the streets to demand justice, only to be forcefully dispersed later.

Last year, a daughter, mother, and grandmother were struck by a bus while sitting at a stand. The daughter was luckily spared, the mother lost her leg, and the grandmother died after two months. The family has spent over Tk12 lakh in medical costs by borrowing and mortgaging all their assets. The bus owner gave them a take it or leave it offer of BDT 200,000. If they didnt accept, he said see you in court. The family settled. Meanwhile, road accidents have emerged as the leading cause of disability in the country.

Is it little surprise then that powerful forces, whether in the medical profession or elsewhere, continue to enjoy absolute impunity?

The media has also been reporting on the alleged negligence in the treatment of a young man who tragically died from a routine endoscopy procedure at a well-known hospital. It is reported that multiple tests indicated he was at higher risk for general anesthesia.

The doctor responsible has come on record to state that he was unaware of a particular health condition and that the patient opted for general anesthesia. This reminds me of the time when, as lay persons, we sought stenting instead of open heart surgery for our mother. The doctor advised against it, deeming it absolutely crazy for one of the critical blockages.

We expect doctors, as trained professionals, to know better about the health risks. If multiple reports indicate heightened risks, why would patients be subjected to general anesthesia, especially for non-life threatening conditions?

Where are the doctors of yesteryears who would thoroughly examine the patient, delve into their family history, and use tests to confirm what they already knew? What happened to compassionately viewing patients as fellow human beings rather than mere ticket numbers?

Then there is the role of the hospital. Reports indicate that the young man was among a long line of patients awaiting the procedure that day. The doctor is said to have arrived late at night, hours after the scheduled operating time, to perform a high volume of procedures.

Does this kind of factory production-line approach fall under set standards? The hospital spokesperson claimed that they follow WHO protocols, yet they are quoted in another report as stating that the person who administered the anesthesia was from outside and not affiliated with the hospital! It seems they do not even know who exactly administered it.

In the latest news, the DGHS swiftly shut down a healthcare facility following the heartbreaking death of another child from anesthesia during circumcision, with the doctors in question arrested. The health minister has vowed decisive action, emerging as our beacon of hope. As a technocrat minister with a profound understanding of the importance of preserving human life, we pray that he will be able to withstand the inevitable pressures and ensure justice for the families.

Every year, Bangladeshis with the means to do so, travel abroad in droves for medical treatment, reflecting a lack of faith in the domestic medical establishment. Those who do not have the means, have to settle with what is available here. Furthermore, it is not always realistic or practicable to travel outside.

Hence, as consumers of healthcare services, it is imperative that we take greater control of our decision-making process. While I acknowledge that for many, such steps may seem unattainable due to limited resources, power dynamics, and access to information, we need to start somewhere.

First, it is crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle to minimize conditions that would compel us to visit doctors in the first place. As it is, we live in a stressful environment where our capital has one of the worst air quality in the world, our foods are laced with chemicals, our roads are congested, and our water polluted. Embracing a healthy lifestyle means eating in moderation, eating at the right time, avoiding harmful foods and products, exercising, meditating, getting sufficient sleep, nurturing positive relationships -- the list goes on.

Second, adopting a healthy lifestyle is not solely the concern of the middle-aged or elderly; its imperative to start early. What we do to our bodies when we are young impacts us when we grow old. The young tend to think that their bodies will fix itself. It may not.

Third, always ask family and friends for advice. Try to seek out a doctor in your circle who can be your counsel. Having that relationship can provide you with information as to which healthcare provider may be best suited for you.

Fourth, dont be unduly influenced by titles or awards. Do not solely go by social media marketing when it comes to your life. We know how social media can be manipulated. Rely on trusted sources of information.

Fifth, it is essential to consider how a doctor treats you. Do they patiently answer your questions? Do they give time? Are they empathetic? This level of personal care may be challenging in a densely populated country such as ours, but we need to start somewhere.

Safi Khan works in the social sector.

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Patient self-empowerment: Taking charge of your healthcare - Dhaka Tribune