Leaders Should Have Independent Health Evaluations

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Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 14 Nov 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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According to former foreign secretary, member of the House of Lords, and trained doctor David Owen, results from an independent health examination should be provided by anyone who runs for Prime Minister or President in order to ensure their ability to govern. The argument appears in a report published on bmj.com.

Since the decisions made by people who hold high public offices can affect millions of people, Owen believes that leaders are obligated to ensure the general public that their ability to make decisions is not impaired by physical or mental illness.

He writes that, "If potential candidates knew they faced independent assessment and that they had a health problem then either they would not stand or they would make it public of their own volition."

Owen points out that medical secrecy along with lies from many heads of governments and their personal doctors actually has lead to inferior medical treatment. Ex-President of France Francois Mitterrand, for example, kept clandestine for 11 years about his cancer of the prostate and secondaries in the bone. During the time, monthly public statements were issued by his personal doctor that failed to reveal his true medical condition.

Owen recommends that, "While in office, a president or prime minister should be obliged to have a yearly independent medical check up." Leaders could then step down temporarily or permanently if their illness is affecting their ability to make decisions or their capacity to do the job.

An example of the positive effects of health disclosure comes from Norway in 1998. The Prime Minister suffered a severe depressive reaction and offered to resign. After seeking the counsel of the Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister made public his struggle with depression, attended four weeks of treatment, and adapted his working practices in order to return to work. The Norwegian public demonstrated great appreciation and respect towards their leader, and the actions of the Prime Minister helped reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

"No one has to stand for high public office, and it is not credible to argue that the medical condition of leaders is purely a matter for them," conclude Owen. "The decisions they take can have a major effect on the lives of millions of people, and it is not acceptable for the quality of their decision making to be impaired by physical or mental illness. They have an obligation to those electing them to be their head of government to ensure that their capacity to govern is maintained at the highest level."

Let us see the medical records of future world leaders
David Owen
BMJ (2008). 337:a2486
DOI 10.1136/bmj.39759.453727.4D
Click Here to View Journal Website

Written by: Peter M Crosta
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today