When compassion flies out of window

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

The greatest challenge the world has faced in our lifetime is still unfolding, and a tiny virus has already snuffed out four million lives or perhaps many more. Pandemics usually take around two or three years to settle; they last until herd immunity develops. In the past, this happened due to the development of antibodies following infection of a significant percentage of the population concerned. However, with the advancement of science, we have developed a far safer option––inducing immunity by vaccination. As far as Covid-19 is concerned, what percentage of the population needs to develop antibodies, either by infection or by vaccination for herd immunity to be achieved is not known, but a guess would be that it may be around 80%.

The UK, which has led the way in vaccination, after having failed to control the spread of Covid-19 initially, is planning to adopt a new strategy, ‘living with Covid’, from 19 July because all adults will have received at least one dose of a vaccine by mid-July. This is only a dream for Sri Lanka! Although some may blame the UK for lack of compassion as it has not shared available vaccines, it is not hoarding vaccines. Further, it is only the British vaccine, Oxford AstraZeneca, that is marketed without any profit. It was much maligned, especially by the EU, may be because of this counter-capitalist measure. The EU was quick to take action against blood clots produced by the Oxford AZ vaccine, but hardly a concern has been raised about Myo-pericarditis caused by Pfizer and Modena vaccines!

Worse still, whilst over 600,000 Sri Lankans, who received the first dose of Oxford AZ vaccine, are still anxiously waiting for the second dose, US has stockpiles of millions of doses of the same vaccine, which it is not using because the FDA is yet to approve! The US Ambassador, who seems so concerned about matters Sri Lankan should have, instead of interfering with the internal affairs of the country, shown some compassion and got her government to release, maybe as a loan, if not a gift, this relatively tiny amount.

Well, how can we expect foreigners to have compassion when our own, engaged in ‘compassionate’ professions, show total lack of compassion at a time when compassion is most needed. The average Joe is fighting for survival, not being able to do a job or not being able to go out to pawn family silver to get food, but the health sector unions are taking turns to harass the public and endanger lives. The editorial, Sickening health sector disputes (The Island, 7 July) highlights this issue and, quite rightly, blames the unions as well as the government.

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has shown no compassion at all; it harasses the public by staging strikes at the drop of a hat. It did so even before the outbreak of the present epidemic. Oh! I forgot, GMOA is showering compassion on the public with a programme popularising the cultivation of murunga – drumsticks!

However, the most sickening I have seen during this pandemic is the strike by nurses. During my working life in Sri Lanka, I was impressed not only by the efficiency of our nurses but also by their kindness and compassion towards patients. On both counts, they excel over their counterparts anywhere and would be working around the world if they had a good knowledge of English, but that is another story. Then, why did I say sickening? Because it is the union led by a Bhikkhu! That by itself is a paradox. When the most compassionate Buddha started the Sangha, to disseminate His message, I do not think he ever envisaged that a person who dons his sacred robe would seek power and position by becoming the leader of a trade union. Even if we are accommodative and say that the Bhikkhu took on this role purely out of compassion to relieve the suffering of nurses, how come he encourages nurses to strike at the height of an epidemic. Where is the compassion to the suffering masses who are in a helpless situation?

Matters are even worse. Nurses did not strike. They sent sick notes though they were not ill at all! Is this not lying and cheating? How come a man in robes who has become a trade union leader, much against the Vinaya rules he is supposed to uphold, directs nurses to take trade union action by sending sick-notes!

Compassion is out of the door and in comes hypocrisy in abundance. As the editorial rightly states: “The sick are like the grass that suffers when elephants fight.” What a shame for a country that prides itself as the guardian of Buddha’s teachings!