WANT IT cheap and fast, never mind even if it is not safe! This is what best sums up the attitude of some in the community who seek treatment at the expense of their safety and well-being.
The media has highlighted the dangers of treatment provided by shamans, traditional healers, quacks, charlatans and etc. Yet, the ignorant and budget conscious consumers often throw caution to the wind and end up endangering themselves.
The quacks and charlatans offering treatment for a host of ailments and beauty therapy are nothing new in the country. Recently a quack who provided dental braces was in the limelight.
The YouTube trained ‘dentist’ operated an unlicensed practice with a good number of patients soliciting her services. Though she was fined RM70,000 for breaching the law, it’s surprising that so many had faith in her services and that no one had suffered from serious consequences in so far.
The Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had highlighted that patients might not be aware of the complications arising due to dental care provided by untrained persons. They include pain, infection, mouth ulcers, loose teeth, carries and infected gums. What is more worrying is the risk of HIV and Hepatitis infection spreading due to the unsterilised equipment or method used.
Stories of people suffering from botched jobs by quacks are aplenty yet most of patients only have one thing in their mind – get their problem fixed at the lowest cost.
The patients are probably oblivious to the fact that they may not have legal recourse in the case of negligence or a treatment gone wrong. One can sue the doctor with a legitimate practice or claim from insurance for damages but not in the case involving a quack.
Though many are aware they could seek subsidised treatment at the public hospitals, they may not have the patience to wait in the long queue.
Then there is the numerous traditional healers providing alternative treatment for a myriad of diseases and conditions that modern medicine could not cure. Many of the healers have made a name for themselves in the social media, some with their uncanny treatment approach.
Among the bizarre treatment methods prescribed include placing a magic stone in the eyes to restore the sight. This is dangerous. One may even end up losing the eyesight due to infection or damage to the eyeball. Then there is also the ‘kepak sana, kepak sini’ (stretch and twist the limbs) to treat broken bones.
Again, one could end up breaking more bones this way. The effectiveness of the methods used is questionable. There is no benchmark in the healers’ expertise. Yet, there are many takers for these remedies.
True, there is nothing wrong in trying the alternative treatment. Even Muslims are encouraged to continue looking for solutions to whatever health problems they face.
Yet, that does not mean one can go after treatment methods that are dubious. Just to recover fast from an ailment or correct some flaws in the teeth through the fastest and the cheapest manner may compromise one’s well-being and health.
Why not just consult the experts with the right qualification and accreditation in the field? Is that really difficult? It is not my intention to run down the traditional healers or the quacks, but I always believe in doing the right things in life.
Moreover, for whatever we do there are consequences and going by the law we have something to fall back on in the event something goes wrong.
One should never compromise on their well-being and safety when comes to treatment. Don’t make a u-turn to the doctor after the quack makes a mess on you. Let the medical expert do the job right from the start. — Bernama
(This commentary is the personal view of the writer and does not in anyway reflect on Bernama or thesundaypost’s stand on whatever said by the writer)