By Vishnu Makhijani New Delhi, Sep 8 : One of the most renowned cardiologists in India, he is among the pioneers of non-surgical treatments for dealing with heart issues.He is the recipient of the highly coveted Dr B.C.Roy Award, he has published numerous studies which have been recognized around the world and has traveled across the globe, from China and Pakistan China and Pakistan in order to give talks on his expertise.
The founder of the Gauri Kaul Foundation in memory of his mother Dr.Upendra Kaul has also traveled to remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir as well as other parts of the nation to support his mission of “No Heart Attacks By 2025” and is looking forward to the day that he can return permanently to Srinagar in which he has already built an “two-storied home with three bedrooms and the lawn with seasonal flowers, and even a mini kitchen garden”.
“My wish to return to the lush meadows and high mountains covered in snow of the Kashmir Valley burns like a fire in my soul.I imagine and dream of the day when I will finally be able to settle down and live my life in its magnificent lap.” Kaul writes in ‘When the Heart Speaks Memoirs of Cardiologist’ (Konark) that records his journey from his village in Hawal, Pulwama, through a turbulent childhood, and obtaining an MBBS at the Maulana Azad Medical College (New Delhi) as well as his lengthy stay at the AIIMS and his traveling around the world and the changing pattern of medical ethics, and the beginning of kickbacks that he witnessed during his professional career and his being bullied by of the members of the Pandit community for not letting his religion stand in the way of treating his patients.
“My mother had always had a dream for us to move back to the Valley and have a home of our own.She didn’t live long enough to be able to see it, but I wanted to fulfill this wish of hers.My family and friends are thrilled when I visit and I spend several days or even a week at least once every month.
The journey to all parts of the Valley and giving public talks about the prevention of heart disease as well as generating awareness of diabetes and high blood pressure bring me joy in my life.
“I strive to make residents of the Valley aware that tackling these issues early can lower the chance of strokes, heart attacks and kidney failures that constitute major public health issues.
I have a lot of colleagues and friends to assist me in accomplishing this task,” Kaul, who is also regular contributor of informative health articles to the “Greater Kashmir daily is the author in the book.
Kashmir the place where he was born even though the majority of his education was in Delhi has always “enamoured” him and provided him the determination “to become what I’ve achieved today.
In my early years I felt a strong desire to travel to Kashmir to spend my time away always helped me work harder.So my parents would gladly let me go whenever I could.My love for community has been acknowledged by them.” Kaul writes.
Even with the “ill feelings” of Kashmiri Pandits towards the majority community following the events of 1990, “my affection for my people has not changed”, Kaul asserts, saying: “This has often led to criticism from a variety of people, particularly through social media platforms, who have frequently doubted my honesty.My response was always that we should unite and not be separated”.
“The tiny Pandit community must recognize this and take action to protect our culture.It cannot be tied to one religion.
The preservation of our culture can only be achieved from being in Kashmir frequently as feasible and not by thinking of the tranquil Valley and attempting to recreate the Valley elsewhere – in other regions of the globe,” Kaul maintains.
So the Kashmiri heritage in his “continues to flourish” and my trips to the Valley are becoming more frequent.
Every time I visit, I explore places I’d missed in the city and in the Valley.I have built friendships and a sense of belonging with people of all ages rich and poor and have always tried to learn more about the Valley and its inhabitants,” Kaul explains.
Dr Karan Singh, former Member of Parliament as well as a visionary stateman and ambassador for culture, as well as the prince regent of Jammu and Kashmir until 1952 and then its Sadr-iRiyasat until 1965 Kaul’s thoughts were also echoed by Kaul during the launch of the book on Wednesday evening.
“Kashmir is beautiful and captivating and the tragedy which has swept across the Valley since 1947 is heartbreaking.
All the vidya I’ve received in life comes coming from the Kashmiri Pandits.They are a well-established community and I am taking this occasion to express my sincere and sincere gratitude to Kashmiri Pandits,”” Karan Singh said.
“The book is a reminder of the value of doing things with your heart as well as the passion doctors have that is more focused on serving.We all should keep in mind of this,” said Dr.Randeep Guleria, the Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) that Kaul was a part of in 1981 and which is where he spent a significant amount of time.
“During the process of making of this book we couldn’t help but be amazed by the humble human being Dr.Kaul is.He is always willing to assist anyone in need, something that is not often seen nowadays.Another reason I’d like to praise Dr.Kaul is for the sincerity he has demonstrated when talking about his chosen field.He has not been afraid to speak about the shifting practices of medical ethics as well as the beginning of kickbacks in his professional career,” said K.P.R.Nair as the Director of Management of Konark Publishers.
For instance, prior to the mid-point of the 1990s everything was in place and the medical profession was respected in very high regard, Kaul writes.This was before the threat of referral fees being paid kickbacks, which became a problem in the medical field and patients were directed to tests that are not necessary as well as prescribed drugs that are not necessary and vitamins.
“The threat slowly spread its wings over the medical field including biochemistry and radiological diagnostics labs.For every test that was ordered 20 percent of the cost was handed back to the doctor who recommended the test.
The result was that doctors were suggesting unnecessary tests.Pharmaceutical companies also enjoyed growing business.Doctors and specialists who had been recognized as experts received freebies, including fancy TVs refrigerators, air conditioners and cars based on prescribed prescriptions.” Kaul writes.
“General doctors would prescribe unneeded medications, various kinds of vitamin supplements , as well as specific kinds of drugs and were paid back in cash.Most often, prescriptions were written in codes that could only be read by chemists who were specifically trained,” he adds.
In 2014 the issue of the exorbitant cost of stents surfaced because the amount of patients who required angioplasties was 500,000 each year with the annual growth of 30 percent.A lawsuit was brought in the Delhi High Court, but it took three years before the government referred it over to the National List of Essential Medicines to set the price.
It was discovered that the price was rising by a factor of 1,000 to 2,000 as well as there were no MRP in the cartoons.
“Finally, in 2017, an amount cap of about Rs.30000 was set.It was a significant reduction of at least Rs 90,000 .This was for the drug-eluting stent that was imported for the patient who needed it.Private hospitals that saw the reduction in profits, began increasing the costs of the procedure and promoting reuse of equipment used in the course of treatment, which is prohibited in Europe as well as the US.These unhealthful practices must be stopped by hospitals and those who are found guilty must be punished.” Kaul asserts.
“Blessed are the poor because they will be the inheritors of earth.” is one of the timeless scriptures of the Bible even in the present day and time.Dr.Upendra Kaul is living evidence of this.His tribe will surely grow!
(Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in)
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