WE DEPLORE THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE
Dear
Friends,
The Blog was and will never be a
Political Forum but I was tempted to post this after I read a message from the President
of the RCP. Andrew Goddard MD PRCP, extracts from which I post below. I
hope you agree that it is entirely appropriate to show this. To quote Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, “Silence
is worse; all truths that are kept silent become poisonous.”
“All of
us at the RCP send our thoughts and love out to those affected by the crisis. I
suspect many of us also have friends with links to Ukraine
The actions of Putin have
had immediate and dramatic effects on the healthcare system in Ukraine and
experience tells us that the health of that population will suffer in unseen
ways for many years to come. The movement of refugees across the EU will have
an impact on the neighbouring states.
Ukraine has its own
national health system (NHSU) which was created in 2017 and has been making
significant strides towards a fair and equitable system for both population and
employees since. Although somewhat younger than the UK NHS, the problems NHSU
has had are not dissimilar. There has been a succession of health ministers
which has created rapidly changing political policies and a fear of slipping
back to the cronyism of pre-NHSU days. The involvement of UNICEF and others in
procurement for medicines in 2015 showed how transparency can reduce corruption
and medicine prices – something we can all learn from. The NHSU (before the
war) was struggling with a move towards decentralisation and
creation of local healthcare systems. The tensions between the politicians at
the centre and local groups of those responsible for delivering healthcare seem
oddly reminiscent of the current reform in England.
Let us hope that stability
and normality will return quickly to the Ukrainian people and the improvements
that were seen in NHSU can be the centre of attention, rather than the need to
fight for their freedom and lives”.
I was so
pleased to read this. I have no words to describe the abhorrence I have for
President Putin (“putin it mildly”) for his uncaring and inhuman attitude of
considering individuals as disposable pawns..
When Leaders of Countries go to war, the real sufferers are
the people as you see from these images.
As responsible and caring citizens of the World, we must
take every opportunity however small, to show our solidarity with the people of
Ukraine and help them in whatever way we can.
A war has no winners – only losers.
Mahendra
Mahen, I think it is perfectly OK to publish this and show our support for the Ukrainian people. What Putin and the Russian government is doing is inexcusable. I cannot find words strong enough to express my horror and condemnation for Putin's actions. It is gratifying to see the rest of the world uniting in their efforts to sanction Putin and his cronies. Even traditionally neutral Switzerland along with Sweden and Finland (non-NATO nations) have joined to censure Russia. People all over the world, as well as in Russia, are coming out in droves to protest. Putin thought he could destroy European Unity, but his behavior seems to be having an opposite effect. I admire the Ukrainian leadership and the brave Ukrainian people for standing up to a vicious bully. As you said in your post "When leaders of countries go to war those who suffer are the people."
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting a comment Srianee. The unfoliding drama is so painful to watch. Russia is not the first country in world history to walk in uninvited but there is not even a pathetic excuse for what Russia has done. I am moved by human suffering as a doctor when I see people suffering from illnesses and I think you feel the same as I do when I see innocent people suffering so needlessly. My "solution" in the short term would be for Ukraine to agree that they would not join NATO for at least 5 years and at the end of that time, the situation could be reviewed. Although I agree that the decision to join NATO should be a free choice, sometimes compromises need to be made in geo-political situations like this. I don't for a moment think that Putin will accepst suhc a solution but it would be a face saving situation for him and he could declare a "victory" and stop the war. I don't want to go into the history of Ukraine as a Nation but like so many countries in that area, Poland for example, the boundaries and the very existence as a separate country, has gone through mamy changes.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that Finand and Switzerland joined the West and that China abstained. I am surprised that India abstained - they should have supported the motion. Maybe they were thinking of Kashmir!
Relationships between countries are very complicated. I keep getting explanations (on line) about reasons for India abstaining. (Something to do with the involvement of the US, UK and USSR when Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan in 1971) Apparently at the time the USSR supported India. I have no idea if that is the reason India abstained from the UNSC motion. Europeans are very nervous because of their history. When Hitler annexed Austria in 1938 nothing happened. When he invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939 the world looked away. Finally, when Poland was invaded in September 1939 World War II began. No one wants that history to be repeated.
ReplyDeleteSrianree, as you say, the relations bertween countries are very complex. India and Russia have very close relations because of India's dependendncy on Russia for energy and also for their support in territorial dispuates with China and Pakistan. But if you read what the Indian Leaders said, the invasion was denounced as not the right approach to settle disputes. In this Political Game, compromised have to be made!
ReplyDeleteWhat interests me as far as bringing this issue in our blog is whether this is or is not something for us to be concerned with. My take on this is that every ripple, however small produces an effect and as Professionals who care and value Humanity, it is our duty to voice our views. I am a bit disappointed by the lack of participation but of course abstention to particpate won't be regarded as support for the invasion! Rest assured my friends! But I appeal to you not to undervalue yourselves and come out into the open and state your views. Let is always promote dialogue and not condone primitive ways of resolving conflicts through fists and missiles,may be not directly but through silence.
I remember very well what Pakistan army did to East Pakistan, that broke away as Bangladesh. Army General Tikka Khan was
ReplyDeleteresponsible for the massacre of millions of Bangladeshis. I have no recollection of prosecuting Tikka been prosecuted for war crimes that the West talking about. I advocate peaceful existence. Tikka Khan may be enjoying everlasting "Happiness" in Heaven under the protection of the Almighty God"
Sumathi, splitting Hindudatan into India and Pakistan and later into India, Pakistan amd Bangladesh was another Colonial legacy. Kashmir remains a "problem" for which I cannot see a solution.
DeleteSpeedy,invading Moghuls destroyed the Buddhist and Hindu civilisations, in Indian subcontinent. Ghandar was present Afghanistan and Pakistan. Kashmir was a different kingdom. During British Raj days, Governor of Kashmir was an Indian. Later on Muslim population increased, but Kashmiris do not want to be ruled by Pakistan, and it is my understanding.
DeleteAside from the politics of these conflicts, it is distressing to realize that in spite of humankind's technical and scientific advances over thousands of years, we still resort to resolving conflicts through violence! I don't believe we have evolved in any significant way. Our ancestors may have fought with primitive weapons, but now we waste valuable resources on expensive, sophisticated, weaponry which have the capability of destroying everything and everyone.
ReplyDeleteUkaine has absorbed my time. I found that the issues are exceedingly complex.
ReplyDeleteIt is fashionable to apportion blame. The usual culprits are the US and Eusrope on one side and Russia on the other. Russia has concerns about security as it shares a long border with Ukraine. These are amplified by the prospects of Ukraine becoming a full NATO member. Russia therefore likes Ukraine to remain an independent buffer state. Russia is also worried about the rise of pro-european, pro Nazi (very small group) against the largely pro-Russian Eastern states. The USA does not really face an existential threat from Russia if Ukraine is annexed but is keen to extend the influence of the West as has occurred for many years in other countries such as Poland and Hungary. There is every reason to believe that if Ukraine accepted the independent state out of NATO, Russia would have accepted that. However, the West kept giving hope to Ukraine that they can exert their independent will, which is their Right. This resulted in internal dissent with the authorities coming down hard on seccionist pro-Russian groups mainly in the East of Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader was embolded enough to vow just a few years ago that they would take back the Crimea. Russia felt threatened and finally did the unthinkable by invading Ukraine. It was political folly to enourage Ukraine to decide which group they should align with. If Geo-political realities are considered, although in principle Ukraine had a right to make its own decisions, it would have been wiser not to encourage their right to join NATO and remain neutral like Finland has done. In the end, millions of innocent cvilians are the losers and a there is a real threat of escalation to a nuclear war.
I have no expertise whatsoever in political commentary- The history of this region is very complex.
ReplyDeleteMahen you seem to have got the conflicting interests and issues that have precipitated the current situation in a nutshell. Putin is no fool and would obviously have expected sanctions, but probably not to this extent where Russia now has no access to SWIFT which would affect his richest cronies. This may take a little time to ‘bite’ but it is scary to think what Putin might resort to if cornered. He is already saying that sanctions are an act of war and feeling that the west is at war with him even while NATO has refused to protect the airspace over Ukraine.
“When elephants fight it is the grass that suffers “- African proverb
Mahen, like you I seem to be mesmerized by what is going on between Ukraine and Russia. Today there were reports of the Israeli PM talking to Putin. And it appears that Putin and Zelensky have also talking to each other. These are glimmers of hope. I just hope that these leaders will keep their cool and not allow things to spin out of control. I believe that Putin's goal is to reverse history and re-establish USSR, which means that other countries are also in danger.
ReplyDeleteRohini, I like the African Proverb you have quoted. Sadly, the people who are suffering are the ordinary folk in Ukraine and in Russia.
I may be wrong and I am most definitely not a fan of Putin but 8 think his mindset is one of fear of dominance by the West and Europe. He is troubled by what he sees as a growing thresr to Russia by Western powers. Western powers are by no means angels as history tells us. Just hstk back to Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq etc. He sees the creeping boundaries of western ideology physically as well as emotionally if you like and forsees a future where unceasing pressure for democratisation will embolden revolts and movements to topple Russia. In the name of democracy is just that- in the name only as the UD especially liked democracy only when free elections elect their favoured lot. I still think it was foolish for the West to push Ukraine and give them hope and encouragement to exercise their right freely to join NATO. This is not pragmstic and goes against geo-political realities. I am sure you have heard of the Monro doctrine as applied to the USA.Imagine what the US would do if Canada became a Socialist country and formed an alliance with Russia and allowed them s military base - unthinkable. The advice to Ukraine should have been keep out of NATO and remdin infeornfent6, Just like Finland. As I keep saying, the victims are the ordinary people of Ukraine who just wish to lead an honest existence as part of the Homo sapiens community, working, playing, laughing, bringing up children, travelling, enjoying life as much as possible till the inevitable end that awaits all of us,
DeletePS excuse all the typos. A gift awaits for the first to spot all typos!
ReplyDeleteThe murderer is Putin. The accessories are the US and Western European powers. Makes me so sad and angry at the hypocrisy and motivation of world "leaders"
ReplyDelete