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Observing current political events in our country I could not miss a dramatic speech by general Skrzypczak, the head of the land forces in the Polish army, given at the funeral of his subaltern who died in an ambush in Afghanistan. Against the rules followed in the army the General went public on equipment shortages in Polish troops in Afghanistan.I am not a politician, nor an expert on military matters but - as most doctors - I have had a basic military training. Admittedly, it was in communist times, but I suppose not too much has changed in the army since then as far as standard operating procedures are concerned. I realize how brave and determined one has to be to do what the General has done. I wish to remind here that irrespective of all military procedures and so called official channels a general is also a man and a citizen and as such may fully enjoy his civil rights including the right to express his opinion - especially if human life is at stake.
Why do I, a doctor and a representative of medical self-government, raise the issue? Let me remind you that over three years ago I turned to you - fellow doctors - with an appeal to create a "White Book" of negative events occurring in health care services. I asked you then to send me information on complications and deaths of our patients resulting from disastrous functioning, bad organisation and underfunding of Polish health care system. Unfortunately, the response was far from profuse - I have received only several such signals, mostly from screeners for professional liability, but, surprisingly, also from patients. I think that what general Skrzypczak did reacting to a Polish officer's tragic death may be applicable in health care sector where - I am strongly convinced - for years citizens of our country have been losing their health or maybe even dying due to politicians' negligence. Will we also find such a general in our environment who will openly tell the public about it?
Andrzej Włodarczyk