East or West AIIMS is the Best

BY: RANBIR MANHAS PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 7, 2018

I visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, in 1982 in connection with the treatment of my daughter, Sumeet who was suffering from ophthalmic disorder. This was my first visit of the premier medical institution of the country.

Next time, I visited AIIMS in 2016 for the treatment of my nephritic disorder. Though I never smoked or used liquor, my kidneys failed. The reason behind this, according to doctors was my chronic diabetes.

Before going to AIIMS, I was patient of Dr. S.K Bali, head of nephrology department, Government Medical College Jammu. When I went to him for the first time, my creatinine and urea levels were 2.5 and 75 mg/100 ml, respectively. However, after two years of costly medication when my condition deteriorated and creatinine level crossed 5mg/100 ml, I consulted Dr. Vaishali Kotwal an associate professor in Medical College Jammu who advised me to seek opinion of Dr. Amiteshwar who had recently come in Jammu and was practicing in JK Medicity Jammu, a private hospital owned and managed by renowned cardio surgeon (retd.), Dr. S.Gurjeet Singh.

Next day, after fixing appointment with Dr. Amiteshwar, when we reached JK Medicity at 10 in the morning, he was already busy seeing patients in the OPD. After going through my clinical reports, he not only changed Dr. Bali’s prescription, but also suggested me to go to Delhi for further treatment.

Our priority was AIIMS, but we couldn’t get admission there. However, using good offices of one of our friends in Delhi, S.K Sharma, we managed to obtain an OPD card of nephrology department where Dr. Himanshu advised me to go for immediate CAPD and referred me to the dialysis unit for doctor’s opinion there. “There is already a long list of patients waiting for their turn to insert CAPD catheter, your turn may come only after three months”, said a doctor there. This compelled me to go for immediate CAPD in some pivate hospital. So, on the suggestion of a patient from Jammu who had undergone kidney transplant, we went to MAX hospital for CAPD catheter insertion. In this connection, we consulted Dr. Khullar, a senior and renowned nephrology surgeon, there.

Dr. Khullar is a pleasing personality. He advised few tests including stress echo, which were immediately done. Finding the results of the tests as good, he asked us to visit the hospital next day for insertion of CAPD catheter.

However, before going to MAX in the morning, I consulted my heart surgeon Dr. Ashok Jayant for his opinion whose suggestion was that instead of going for the CAPD, I should think of a kidney transplant which according to him was the best and ultimate cure of a kidney failure. For this he advised us to seek advice of Dr. Johari, a reputed kidney transplant surgeon working in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Accordingly, instead of going to MAX, we went to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, but returned disappointed. “Sir, Dr. Johari is a busy surgeon who cannot meet without prior appointment. I am registering your name for appointment, please confirm the date telephonically”, Dr. Johari’s assistant told. In the evening, when we informed Dr. Ashok Jayant about day’s development, he told that he would try to obtain Dr. Johari’s appointment.

“My sister is also a surgeon in Ram Manohar Lohia hospital. I will ask her to fix your appointment”, he said.

Next morning, my son Ramneek’s phone rang up. Dr. Sneh Jayant was on the other side. “I have fixed your appointment with Dr. Johari. Go and meet him before 11 am today”, she told.

In SGRH, Dr. Johari, who was waiting for us in his room, greeted us with a sweet smile spread across his face.

After checking our test reports he told us that despite advanced age, I was fit for the surgery. Then he asked about the donor and when I told him that my wife was ready to donate her kidney, he asked us to bring her along any time so that her physical condition could be assessed. He also told us to bring few documents including adhar card and ration card as proof of identity and our family status.

About one month later, we returned from Bhaderwah along with my wife. However, before going to Sir Ganga Ram hospital, we decided to seek advice of Union Minister, Dr. Jitindra Singh, who happened to be my endocrinologist for more than 20 years.

Since, I was not in touch with him for past so many years, I asked my son Ramneek Manhas who happens to be a BJP leader, to contact him on telephone and try to obtain his advice. Dr. Jitindra Singh, to our pleasant surprise responded positively.

“Yes, Ramneek, how are you and how is Mr. Manhas. Is his sugar level under control”? He asked with caring curiosity.

“I am fine sir, but Papa is not well. He is suffering from kidney failure and wants to meet you for your valuable advice”, replied my son.

“Very sad, but this is what finally happens to a chronic sugar patient. I would also like to meet him after such a long time, but I am out of Delhi and would be back only after couple of days”. He told. “By the way what is your own planning”, he asked.

“Sir the cardio surgeon of dad has suggested that Dr. Johari of Sir Ganga Ram hospital was the appropriate person to tackle our case and it is on his advice that we have come here along with the donor”.

“But why in a private hospital instead of AIIMS?” He asked surprisingly. “Sir, we had gone there also, but, the concerned doctors say that not to think of transplant, even CAPD was not possible before three months”, replied my son. “Don’t worry. Go to AIIMS tomorrow and meet the Director there. He will solve your problem”, said Dr. Jitindra Singh.

Next day we went to AIIMS to meet the Director, Dr. Mishra, who unfortunately was not present. But, his PRO, Mr. Tondon received us cordially. He made a telephone call to Dr. V.K Bansal and asked us to meet him in his room. In his room, we came to know that Dr. Bansal was the famous renal transplant surgeon. He was satisfied with our physical condition, but when he asked us about our age, “Sir, my wife is 68 while I am running 72”, I told. Hearing this, wrinkles of worry became visible on his forehead. “No doubt, both you and your wife are physically fit for the transplant, your age might come in your way. We don’t advise surgery like kidney transplant at this stage of age. There is risk in it”, he said. “But sir, if Dr. Farooq Abdullah could go for transplant at the age of 80, why can’t I go for it at the age of 72”? I asked and told him that risk factor was no consideration and that we were ready for that.

“Good”, said Dr. Bansal. “Let’s get physician’s opinion first”, he told and asked his peon to take us to Dr. Sandeep Mahajan, the noted nephrologist.

Dr. Mahajan first greeted us with a sweet smile and then looked at the OPD card on which Dr. Bansal had sought his advice. “Sit down”, he asked politely. After that, he made certain queries and said, “O.K, but we will have to go for few tests before taking a final decision but before that, let’s secure a room in the private ward and then we will proceed ahead”, he told and wrote to the hospital administration for the room, which we got without much effort.

To begin with, scores of tests were conducted not only on me, but on my donor (my wife) as well which, luckily for us were found to be fine and matching.

We stayed in the private ward for nearly fifty days. During these days, peritoneal dialysis catheter was inserted in my belly near the naval pit. However, before this could become fit for use after two weeks, I was kept on hemodialysis in the dialysis room. After fifteen days when the PD catheter became fit for use, I was shifted on to peritoneal dialysis for which an expert, namely Prince would come from the Baxter company to administer the dose. Prince, besides conducting the dialysis himself, also taught both me and my son the intricacies of PD and trained us to do it independently. After about fifteen days of practice when the doctors were satisfied that we had become fully trained to conduct the peritoneal dialysis at home independently, we were discharged from the AIIMS hospital.

However, the doctors couldn’t give us an early date for kidney transplant. “We have a long list of pending cases. Giving any priority in surgeries like kidney transplant is impossible. Come in the month of April next year for fresh check up and only then we will decide the exact date of surgery”, they said. And they meant it as they didn’t budge from their stand even after recommendation from the concerned minister. Though I was unhappy to get a long date I was happy to know that despite their soft behavior and polite attitude, they were equally strict as far as discipline and rules are concerned.

In the month of April, Delhi becomes quite hot particularly for people like us who come from cold places like Bhaderwah where temperature this month remains vacillating between 10 to 20 degrees. But thanks to the electric department for providing uninterrupted power supply that keeps the rooms and vehicles cool enough to bear the brunt of scorching heat.

This time again, I was admitted in the private ward and process of second round of investigations begun that continued till first week of May when we were declared fit for the surgery.

Being under influence of anesthesia, I can’t say what exactly happened during the surgery, however when I came out of the spell of unconsciousness, Dr. V.K Bansal and Dr. V. Seenu accompanied by a battery of their juniors were surrounding my bed keenly watching my parameters on the monitors fitted right behind me. But, it was neither the OT nor my private room. It, in fact was the intensive care room of the kidney transplant unit.

“Congratulations Mr. Manhas, your new kidney has begun working and your wife is also feeling well”, said Dr. Bansal with a soft smile spread across his pleasant face. After two days, my wife was discharged from the intensive care unit and first sent back in to the special room and then to our guest house room, but I couldn’t be discharged because according to the doctors, a kidney recipient is more prone to infection than the donor. So, I had to stay in the hospital for next three weeks and was discharged only when Dr. Bansal was fully satisfied about my recovery. However, both of us were asked to remain in Delhi for next three months so that the mandatory follow up (twice a week) could be done properly.

After three months, we were asked to go home and return after one month for the follow up with reports of few tests. The next two spells were of sixty days each. Luckily, we were physically fit and doctors were satisfied with our test reports. Whereas my surgery and that of my wife was jointly conducted by senior consultants Dr. V. Seenu and Dr. VK Bansal, Dr. A. Krishna, Dr. Om Prakash, Dr Javed, Dr. Shardool, Dr. Aditya, Dr. Vevek, Dr. A. Amir, Dr. Surya, and Dr. Chaithra ably assisted them.

Pertinent to mention, doctors of AIIMS particularly senior consultants like Dr. Sandeep Mahajan, Dr. V. Seenu and Dr. V.K Bansal are simple by nature and sympathetic by behavior. They have a down to earth approach and their attitude towards patients is extremely friendly unlike doctors of other hospitals where patients are seen indifferently and with contempt.

Among the juniors in nephrology department, I feel happy while mentioning Dr. Raj, Dr. Vineet, Dr. Naveen and Dr. Superya who were not only friendly with me, but they also responded to my telephonic calls whenever any emergency arouse.

As far as Kidney Transplant Department of AIIMS is concerned, I feel proud to make a mention of junior surgeons like Dr. Vevek and Dr. Amir whose personal touch while dealing with patients is appreciable. My observation about them is that they are ‘old heads on young shoulders’ who due to their dedication and professional approach, are destined to bring laurels not only for themselves, but for their noble profession as well.

AIIMS, indeed is the premier hospital of India where not only supper specialty treatment is provided to the patients of all types, but it is known for the honesty, dedication and down to earth approach of its doctors, paramedics and nursing staff as well. Its policy of ‘stand in the queue and wait for your turn’ is also laudable.

But, saying that all is well in AIIMS would be an execration. There is shortage of space; there is shortage of doctors; there is shortage of nursing staff and there is shortage of ‘safai karmcharis’. Hopefully, these shortcomings will be removed soon in patient’s interest particularly belonging to middle and lower class for whom medication in private hospitals, in view of their exorbitant fees, is beyond reach.