IMA criticises CM’s suggestion
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has kicked off a controversy by directing the State Excise Department to provide liquor to those carrying medical prescriptions in view of suicide cases reported from various parts of Kerala after liquor sales were stopped during the ongoing “lockdown”.
Taking strong exception, the Indian Medical Association said scientific treatment should be given to those who have alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
“It can be treated at home or in hospitals with medicines. It is not scientifically acceptable to offer alcohol to them. Doctors have no legal obligation to provide a prescription for alcohol. Writing a liquor prescription can result in the cancellation of the right to treatment,” the IMA said in a statement on Monday.
Vijayan’s directive to the Excise Department comes in the wake of reports of suicides by alcoholics. Till Monday, the State has reported seven suicides by persons suffering from alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Kerala State Beverages Corporation, the State-owned wholesale and retail traders of liquor have downed their shutters since last Wednesday following the nation-wide lockdown announced by Prime Minister against the backdrop of coronavirus.
There were reports that the State was mulling plans to make liquor available through on line platforms. S Ananthakrishnan, Excise Commissioner, in a note to the Government has suggested that persons with strong withdrawal symptoms can produce a doctor’s prescription at the Excise Office. “The prescription to allot liquor should be from a Government doctor. After obtaining clearance from the Excise Office, it can be produced at the Beverages Corporation Outlet to get liquor,” said a senior official of the Excise Department.
While Government doctors in Kerala are tight lipped over the issue because of the gag order from the State Government not to discuss anything regarding corona virus or related issues with the media, the IMA issued a release questioning the move to introduce the prescription for alcohol arrangement.
But Dr CV Krishnaswamy, former professor of clinical medicine, Stanley Medical College at Chennai told The Pioneer that there is nothing wrong in medical doctors issuing prescriptions for alcohol to patients suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Dr Krishnaswamy is the Editor (Indian sub-continent) , Journal of the Science of Healing Outcomes, an international medical journal publishing peer reviewed research paper.
“I understand there are suicides reported from Kerala because of the unavailability of alcohol. The question is whether we should leave the patients to their fate and allow them to take their lives. There is nothing wrong in a medical doctor issuing prescription for spirits. The process of making a person free from the influence of alcohol is a time consuming one. The best thing is to make him reduce the alcohol intake in stages and not at one stroke. A person addicted to alcohol is likely to end up as a medical wreck up if he is denied the stuff at one go,” said Dr Krishnaswamy who heads the department of diabetology and research, Dr Prema Medical And Diabetes Research Centre, Chennai,
But a senior Government physician in Kerala, on condition of anonymity chose to disagree with Dr Krishnaswami.
“We have not studied in our medical course that a disease could be cured with alcohol. There is no mention in our treatment protocol that alcohols or drugs could be prescribed to patients,” said the doctor.
Corona virus has added yet another controversy to Kerala society where social drinking is catching up like a wild fire. There were reports of school students frequenting bars for gulping a few drinks during interval hours. One of the popular folk songs in Kerala is “Kallolam Nalloru Vasthu Bhoolokathinkal illa penne”, Malayalam for “there is nothing in this world better than liquor”.
