'The Management Supported Me To Stop A Drug Trial By A Company, Which Tried To Pressurise Us'

Renowned paeditrician and author Dr R K Anand has recently completed a year as the Medical Director in Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital and Medical Research Centre. In an interview with Express Healthcare Management, he discusses his accomplishments in the last one-year and what keeps him going at the grand old age of 72

How has been your experience as the Medical Director?

My experience has been quite satisfying. The management supported me to do charity, to pursue academic excellence, to adhere to ethics and to maintain an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the campus. I was able to project Jaslok Hospital as a patient-friendly place, where doctors, nurses and workers are trusted but are also constantly challenged to improve and where differences are settled in a spirit of "not who is right, but what is right". I was convinced that a smile, a sense of humour and genuine love for people works in the management of a hospital, as it works in all walks of life.

When you had just taken over the reins as the Medical Director, in an interview with us, you said that you would emphasise on charity, ethics and academics. How much have you achieved in these areas? What new initiatives have you taken?

No genuine case needing free or concessional treatment was refused by the management. Even major surgeries like congenital heart disease and liver transplantation were heavily subsidised. In June 2006, a child referred from the office of the Charity Commissioner with heart disease was operated completely free.

I did quite a lot of work in ethics. Realising that certain pharma companies can corrupt young doctors, a circular was sent to all concerned medical representatives. The management firmly supported me to stop a sponsored drug trial by a company, which tried to put undue pressure and challenge our way of working. We formed a Committee for Rational Therapeutics; use of Generic drugs and included a missionary on the Ethics Committee (it already had a judge and a layperson on it) which has to clear all research projects involving human subjects.

In academics, we have got approval for a BSc college of nursing. We already have a school of nursing. We are also updating the medical library. Travel grant for CME are given to deserving doctors and residents are given lectures on public speaking, as it helps them in better communication skills with the patients and the examiners.

We are also working on building trust between management and consultants in terms of mutual respect and resolution of differences, besides focusing on patient-friendly approach.

The Trustee/Director General/Executive Director/MD take personal interest in attending to any complaint. We have a new efficient billing manager. We also plan to upgrade the casualty and develop good rapport with the police for handling medico-legal problems.

How do you see Jaslok 10 years down the line?

As a patient-friendly hospital, which is ahead of others as far as research and use of state-of-the-art equipment by countries' best consultant doctors and nurses are concerned. We also want to be the numero uno in genetic clinic and charity.

Did your practice as a paediatrician suffer because of your additional responsibility?

Qualitatively, it did not suffer. Quantitatively, yes. It took away time from my practice.

How do you manage to juggle the jobs of a paediatrcian and an administrator?

(Smiles) With the help of wife and my paediatric colleagues at Jaslok.

What is the secret of your energy at 72?

I have good genes from my parents, God's grace, listening to the inner voice and daily attempt to follow the universal values of purity, honesty, unselfishness and love. Also I have firm belief in values, getting rid of hatred and replacing it with compassion in heart.

To keep myself physically fit, I wake up at 5 in the morning and sleep by 10 in the night. I walk, do yoga and follow healthy food habits. Additionally, my supportive family - a loving wife and affectionate children keep me going.