Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud (File Photo/PTI)
CJI Chandrachud said the medical and legal professions share a common goal of enhancing the welfare of individuals and communities through dedicated service
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday stressed the need for young doctors to show empathy and compassion towards patients, quoting a scene from the famous film Munna Bhai MBBS and saying the ultimate goal of medicine is to uplift humanity.
The CJI also said that India is one of the pioneers in innovation but its results are limited to a very few and urged doctors to make progress in the field of health so that everyone can benefit. Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) is here.
He emphasized that PGIMER has been the cornerstone of many medical advancements and innovations in India and has been a beacon of excellence for the past 62 years.
“As you graduate today, you stand on the shoulders of giants who have been the torchbearers for the advancement of medical science,” he added.
He pointed out that both professions, medicine and law, share a common goal, which is to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities through dedicated service.
He narrated a scene from the film Munna Bhai MBBS starring Sanjay Dutt, stressing on the need for compassion and empathy among doctors.
He said that “Munna Bhai” in the film did not rely on medical jargon but gave a warm and comforting hug to a young patient, which he called “jaado ki jhappi” because the patient was deeply distressed by the medical procedure.
The CJI said that this act of kindness was full of sincere feelings and comfort, which was in sharp contrast to the cold clinical environment of the hospital.
He recalled in the film that the patient's anxiety disappeared after being embraced by Dutt's character Munna Bhai.
“This scene highlights an important point – the power of empathy and personal connection. In medicine and law, we must all remember that our ultimate purpose is to serve and enhance humanity,” he said.
CJI Chandrachud also referred to the recent judgment on the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) examination, saying ethics play a vital role in getting admission into medical colleges.
“Recently, through our NEET judgment, we have all witnessed problems in the conduct of NEET exams across the country,” he said.
“As a member of the bench who drafted the judgment, I had the opportunity to observe the complexity. It serves as a reminder that justice in ethical standards is not just a theoretical concept but a practical need to ensure equitable access to opportunity.
The CJI said, “You are at the beginning of your journey. At this threshold, you must think about what value you wish to bring to this noble profession. You are the doctors, researchers and scientists of tomorrow. “You not only have the power to shape your future , may have the power to shape the future of medicine in India and around the world, it is at this crossroads in your journey that you have to think about making medical advancements accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it,” he added. .
He pointed out that since the early 1980s, pharmaceuticals in India have been commercialized dramatically as private sector investment in pharmaceuticals increased.
“Today, India is one of the pioneers of innovation, but the fruits of this innovation are limited to a very small number of people. Medicines have become so expensive that medical expenses account for 77% of personal expenditure in rural areas and 70% in urban areas, ” he said.
“It is astonishing that professions rooted in welfare, such as law and medicine, have become inaccessible to the communities they are meant to serve,” the CJI said.
He said there is an urgent need for medical schools to fully embrace social responsibility by paying more attention to rural health, which includes incorporating community-oriented training programs into the curriculum and extending outreach services to nearby populations.
“Medical schools must go beyond theoretical instruction and engage students in the real-world challenges faced by rural communities,” he said.
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)
