Dr. A.R Bhattacharya

A small journey with lasting impact

Here, I recount a circumstance that forced me to undertake a journey for about a week in December 2023 to a renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, M.S., DNB, and his hospital Health City, pertaining to knee problem of my wife. In the name of operation, as a matter of fact, both of us were rather frightened, more so was my wife. It all started with a small visit to Dr. Kapoor, whom I had shortlisted after gathering a good deal of information about suitable surgeons in Lucknow, though otherwise I was already aware of his versatility and expertise on this subject.

Our very first visit to Dr. Kapoor brought a sea change in the thinking of both of us. The great complexities of my wife's knees were explained by him in a very simple way. In the process, he also made us realize that he is a doctor who apart from treatment also sees the welfare aspects of the patient with a human touch.

The next chapter was a five-day stay in his hospital Health City where my wife had undergone knee replacement of both of her legs. There, we realized what an old saying goes that water trickles down from the top. The team of doctors under Dr. Kapoor together with the supporting staff left no stone unturned in attending to the patient in an amicable way all through that kept the patient in a rather normal mood in spite of her physical problems. As time passed by in the hospital, we virtually realized that our stay simulated a home away from home.

Today, when we are back at home, realize that all that passed in the hospital was a condition where things that were seesawing looked normal to us, a time when even otherwise negative thinking looked positive, a situation where our pre- conceived fears were rather invisible, and of course was an event worth remembering !!

With all that I experienced, I now realize that Health City hospital was a definitely a better choice, and that it could be an ideal place for those who are suffering from orthopedic problems. At least, I faced no problems anyway.

Although, I am impressed with all that we experienced at the hospital, I wish to put forward a few suggestions that may lead to its betterment. That, hospital work should not get disturbed, almost each of my suggestions should take short time, say an hour or so only, and that too periodic; the periodicity may be quarterly to yearly, or as the hospital authorities decide.

• Periodic training programs for all including doctors, para-medical and non-medical/administrative staff. This will help them find their own shortcomings as well as in updating their working pattern.
• Intra-hospital seminars wherein every individual of the hospital of all levels should describe their routine work briefly and this should be followed by discussions. This would help the hospital as well the staff concerned to discover any snags or shortcomings in his/her daily work style. And, this is very important because otherwise he/she will continue to work with the same snag or fault.
• Periodic lectures by experts or practitioners from other hospitals or medical organizations as well as from this hospital itself on some selected aspects that constitute hospital's routine work. This will greatly help not only in updating the existing knowledge of the hospital personnel but also in finding faults or snags within themselves.
• Exchange programs with other hospitals and medical institutions/organizations of the city. This may help in widening the horizons of all who are engaged with the patients and the hospital management.
• Organizing occasional camps to schools, colleges, offices and other public organizations. This will help develop awareness to the common man, and indeed would fulfill a social commitment for the hospital too.

Life is a one-event affair only, and therefore it is better to move it on well than to arrive. It is a journey that one has to make it alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you. And, this hospital is dedicated to its mission on the betterment of life's journey to all who come here. With all that I have experienced, I am sure that the hospital would fulfill this mission successfully. I leave my very best wishes for this hospital, and hope that this hospital should grow from more to more.

Jai Bharat

A. R. Bhattacharya
Professor & Head (Retired)
Department of Geology
University of Lucknow, Lucknow
December 19, 2023