Feature

Life Begins at 60

They may have a mop of white hair and a wrinkles-smothered face. But the dedication of 60-plus healthcare professionals is still alive and kicking, finds out Jayata Sharma.

Dr R K Anand Medical Director Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai

Be it surgery, medicine, teaching, or management, there is a large number of medicos in their 60s still battling the daily grind. At a time when people in other professions would prefer to sit back and enjoy the fruits of hard work, these doctors continue to labour.

Says Prof Dr PVA Mohandas (73), Managing Director, MIOT Hospitals, Chennai, "The life of a doctor revolves around patients, their satisfaction, adoration and adulation, and this is what makes me want to continue."

It's quite possible that age has nothing to do with love for and commitment to work. "I did not want to quit working, as I was addicted to work. After my retirement from the army, I was flooded with lucrative job offers, which I just couldn't refuse," says Dr Maj Gen KJ Shetty (75), Senior Consultant of Medicine and Endocrinology, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Kathmandu University in Bangalore.

Dr Ravinder Tuli (62) of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, is actively involved in Yoga

Dr Ravinder Tuli (62), Head, Holistic Medicine Department, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, says, "When I have invested almost 30 years in promoting holistic healing, how can I step back now, just because I am aging? Moreover, holistic healing is gaining popularity currently in India. This is the right time to work even harder."

Also, medicos derive immense satisfaction by curing someone. "If I can do something for people around me, why must I sit at home?" asks 64-year-old Dr KM Cherian, CEO and Chairman, Frontier Lifeline, Chennai. "Also, I find the feeling of adopting new technologies quite exciting,"he adds

For some, it is the sheer enjoyment of a mentally-challenging job environment that keeps them going. This attitude is what gives a kick to 73-year-old surgeon, Dr Rajaram Amrut Bhalerao, Director of Medical Planning and Projects and a Consultant of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at Mumbai's PD Hinduja Hospital. "Anyone who stops working is virtually dead," he states.

Col M Masand (62), of Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai would not start his day without his early morning walks

For others, it is the joy of providing better amenities to younger generation doctors. Col M Masand (62), Director General, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, says, "I am now in a position to provide the best of working conditions to the younger generation. And this matters a lot to me."

Then there are doctors who work with not-for-profit hospitals and have their own set of reasons for making themselves available. Like 76-year-old Verghese Eapen, Vice-President of Madras Medical Mission, Chennai who says,"The satisfaction of treating patients who can ill-afford basic healthcare is immense." In fact, Eapen feels his scale of working has widened in his later stages of life, as he got a better platform to provide treatments in rural India.

Working is one way to make yourself useful and wanted in society. "Even though patients might have consulted a younger doctor, they visit us for a second opinion," says Dr Bhalerao. Patients prefer 'older or experienced' doctors because of their invaluable experience and the belief that they do not have ulterior motives.

Doctors are not the only ones. There are also dedicated medical teachers who refuse to retire. Mumbai-based 75-year-old Dr OP Kapoor, Physician and honorary teacher at several medical universities, says he finds ultimate bliss in teaching.

"Nothing can keep me from my love for teaching. There are hundreds of students who flock to my sessions and are glued. If I am wanted by them, why should I step down?" Dr Kapoor retired at 55 from practicing medicine full time, but continues to teach.

Dr KM Cherian (64) of Frontier Lifeline, Chennai is fond of fishing

"I love the fact that I am able to spread awareness about healthy and happy living. I have a purpose and passion to work towards it," says Dr RK Anand (73), Medical Director and Head of Paediatric Department at Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital. Dr Anand is engaged with various social causes like upholding children's rights, and working for a trust hospital helps him provide cost-effective services to patients.

We also have burns surgeon and President of the National Academy of Burns India (NABI) Dr Arvind Vartak (65) who works to keep himself occupied. "I cannot deny that burns care is challenging enough to keep me on my toes," he says.

Though unwilling to admit, sometimes financial constraints can also be a reason for working. Unlike other countries, the Indian Government does not provide facilities to retired professionals, hence, doctors who have not planned for their old age continue to work even if they want to retire. However, the ratio of male to female is not balanced in this age group. For women, work takes a backseat after a particular age.

The Better Pill

Mumbai-based Physician Dr OP Kapoor (75) keeps himself fit by playing tennis

With age, battling ailments can become a major deterrent. However, our enthusiastic professionals defy old age by staying fit. Most follow a strict exercise regime and control on diet.

"I eat everything I like, but in limited quantities. This keeps me healthy. My involvement in preventive healthcare has also stood me in good stead," says Dr Bhalerao. Not all doctors believe in this strict regime though. Dr Vartak believes his work keeps him on the move.

"I am not a health freak, and do not exercise, but I am endowed with strong genes," says Dr Cherian, whose grandmother lived for 105 years and his father, even at 91, is remotely untouched by health problems.

But there are professionals who do not miss their daily exercise. Col Masand sweats it out with squash, while Dr Kapoor regularly plays tennis, apart from the two hours of singing he indulges in daily, which keeps his voice toned for delivering lectures for as long as seven hours at a stretch. Even Dr Cherian walks the treadmill for 45 minutes daily. Dr R Tuli practises what he preaches, and is actively involved in Yoga.

Simple physical exercises are not sufficient; the mind needs exercise too. "In case of teachers, it helps to keep working as, the complicated cases we deal with can be a practical diary for students," says Dr Kapoor.

Their rich experience ascertains invitations to various healthcare and educational institutions in India and abroad, thus calling for travel. In fact, for some professionals, life in the 60s is far more hectic. Dr Mohandas says, "As I grow older, I have been working longer hours."

Meditation and reading scriptures too form a part of many doctors' lives. Along with Yoga and morning walks, Dr Anand starts his day by reading a few verses of the Bhagwad Gita.

The Flip Side

Dr Maj Gen KJ Shetty (75) from Manipal Hospital, Bangalore regularly takes long morning walks

While it is well-known that senior medical teachers and surgeons are in demand, sometimes there are restrictions that curtail them from fulfilling patients' demands. Like Dr Bhalerao cannot perform prolonged surgeries. Dr Vartak rues that he has to restrict himself to one major operation a day. Most importantly, they all miss the environment they were accustomed to. "The 'human touch' is missing in younger doctors as healthcare has become commercialised," laments Dr Bhagwan Singh Yadav (69), Consultant Dermatologist at Mumbai's LH Hiranandani Hospital.

Challenges range from not being able to work for long hours, to reduced number of patients to facing difficulty like driving late at night. Hence, older doctors prefer having someone on hand, mostly a qualified young doctor. "A young doctor by your side helps the patients too get familiar with him and his acceptance widens," opines Dr Bhalerao.

There is another side. Col Masand found it difficult to accept his subordinates questioning his every order and decision. This was quite contrary to the army ranks he was used to. "So I brought in people from the army who were used to taking orders without questioning," he chuckles.

"Sometimes, when I invite young doctors to deliver a lecture, they do not realise that their mobile phones have to be put on silent mode. Many a times, they even attend the call whilst on the podium," complains Dr Kapoor.

The biggest challenge is to continue in the position they are working for years. Seniors feel the concept of retirement is more bent towards giving younger people a chance to take over. Thus, even if the person is fit enough to work, there are times when they face the blow of forceful retirement. "To avoid such circumstances, professionals must always be ready with a back-up plan after voluntary or forceful retirement," advices Dr Bhalerao.

The elder batch faces problems in matching steps with young blood. "Due to age, we must retrain our mind and accept that we cannot compete with the younger ones," says Dr Bhalerao. Even 70-year-old Dr Sheela Mehra, an Endoscopic Surgeon at Moolchand Medicity and Indraprastha Apollo in New Delhi, echoes the same thought: "When I am surrounded by younger doctors, I am conscious about my age as there are hardly any women my age at my workplace." But she is quick to add that working with youngsters makes her feel young too.

Reluctance to have doctors to teach on an honorary basis is another impediment. "Having honorary teachers reduces the stress on permanent professors, as there is always a shortage of teachers at medical colleges," says Dr Anand.

Do They Ever Want to Retire?

Dr Rajaram Amrut Bhalerao (73), of Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai has a keen interest in theatre

Usually doctors do not retire early, unlike people in other professions, at 60. Patient loyalty plays a major role and most doctors see patients even after they retire officially. "I feel that doctors should never retire, unless they face some physical problems," says Dr Cherian.

In fact, even if some doctors retire, they are a favourite with patients, who keep them engaged. Dr KL Tuli (85), a general physician based in New Delhi, says, "I had to restart practicing after patients started flocking my home after I retired officially."

Even Dr Mehra, witnesses constant inflow of patients. "Since my student days, I wanted to work forever. My age does not match with my physical health. I am fit as a fiddle," says Dr Mehra.

Dr Tuli of Indraprastha Apollo has the last word on this. "Retirement is for people with monotonous jobs. Doctors get to see and perform a variety of work, so why retire?" And as is known , brain cells die if not used, so its use it or lose it.

jayata.sharma@expressindia.com