Maintain equality in treatments

Lakshmi Narayanan | 15-December-2012

Dr S Sudheendran, who works at Kochi-based Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, is Kerala’s first liver transplantation surgeon. He has completed 166 transplantations so far, with a success rate of over 80 per cent. He is the third Indian surgeon to conduct more than 100 liver transplantations. In an interview with Future Medicine, this socially committed surgeon talks about the need to bridge the rich-poor gap while providing quality healthcare

By Lakshmi Narayanan

Inspiration to become a surgeon

I never dreamt of becoming a surgeon at the beginning of MBBS. Just like other boys of my age, I enjoyed the colours of life during my college days. One day, towards the end of my final year, my professor had called me for assistance in the operation theatre. As the house surgeons were on leave, there was no other option before me. I was not aware of the intricacies of surgery at that time. And I never thought that this surgery (on a young boy) will prove to be the turning point in my life. When the patient’s relatives learnt that the surgery was successful, their nerve-wracking moments ended in joy and jubilation. Being a witness to this life-saving event, I got drawn to surgery automatically.

Memorable surgical experience

I became a liver transplantation surgeon in 1998. As in the case of any other surgeon, my first surgery proved to be a stepping stone to a great career. It injected a great deal of inspiration into me. There’s another surgery that’s close to my heart: in 2007, I had performed a surgery at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences on a comatose liver patient.

Qualities of a surgeon

He should be confident, dedicated, and well-versed with each and every procedure. He should give confidence and hope to patients. He should be aware of the changes in the healthcare sector. And lastly, a surgeon should be well-prepared to take on new challenges.

Role of ethics in a surgeon’s life

Medical ethics are basically guidelines that enable the maintenance of a good surgical and clinical life. It brings about a perfect rhythm between a patient and a doctor. Strict adherence to medical ethics will only result in more confidence and faith in a doctor and his treatments.

Quality of healthcare in India

The healthcare sector mirrors a country’s development. The rich-poor gap shouldn’t affect the quality of treatment offered to patients, especially those from humble backgrounds. Hospitals should provide all modern facilities to safeguard the lives of patients. Hospitals and doctors should maintain equality in treatments. Every hospital in the country should follow uniform standards in terms of diagnosis and treatment.

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