We often talk about medicines and treatments, but we don’t talk enough about something just as important — how caste, gender, and language affect patient care in India.
In some places, people still judge patients based on their caste. Patients from lower castes may be treated differently — given less time, less care, or made to feel like they don’t belong. Sometimes, they are even asked about their caste before being asked about their illness. This kind of behavior might not be loud, but it hurts deeply. It makes people scared to go to the hospital.
Gender also plays a big role. Many women are not taken seriously when they talk about their pain or stress. They are often told things like, “It’s just stress,” or “You’re overthinking.” If someone is from the LGBTQ+ community, they may face even more judgment and misunderstanding. Even female doctors or students are sometimes not respected the same way as men.
Language can also become a big barrier. Imagine going to a hospital and not being able to explain your pain because the doctor only speaks in English or Hindi. This happens to many people in rural areas. They feel ignored or embarrassed. But every patient deserves to be heard and understood — no matter what language they speak.
These things — caste, gender, and language — quietly affect how people are treated in hospitals and clinics. Sometimes people feel so judged or uncomfortable, they stop going for help altogether.
But healthcare should be a place of care, not judgment. Everyone deserves respect and proper treatment, no matter who they are or where they come from.
So let’s talk about it.
Let’s make sure every person feels safe and valued in the hospital.
Have you ever seen or felt this kind of discrimination?
What do you think we can do to change it?