Black money in white coats: whither medical ethics?

Abstract

There has been a sea change in the ethos of medicine in India in recent decades. Academic dishonesty of an alarming nature has been reported in medical colleges. Moral degeneration and corruption have engulfed the establishment at the highest level. The head of the Medical Council of India was found guilty of corruption and stripped of his position a few years ago. Many professors in private medical colleges draw a part of their salary as "black"money. There is little discussion on this growing malady within the profession. Professional medical associations have turned a blind eye towards unethical practices; sincere efforts to take a stand on ethical medicine are lacking. Marginalisation of ethics raises questions about the professional integrity, moral sensitivity and social responsibility of practitioners of modern medicine in India.