Indra Mohan Gupta
Surgeon, Police Hospital

Which is the most difficult surgery case that you have handled?

I recently operated on a 14- year-girl and extricated a huge tumour from near her small intestine. It was a three-hour- long operation.

Have you ever faced any difficulty in operating on a seriously injured or bullet-ridden policemen?

I must say almost all the police injury cases that I have handled have been successful. The body of a policeman is like any other human body and is susceptible to injuries. Most of the police injuries in Jharkhand are due to attacks by the outlawed naxal outfits.

However, nowadays most of the police casualties and injuries are rushed to the speciality hospital nearby and do not come under my treatment.

Is Ranchi on a same footing with metropolitan cities as far as surgical facilities are concerned?

No, it is not. But we surgeons try our best to manage the toughest of operations with the existing infrastructure here.

Do you intend to be a super-surgeon. That is, do you intend to pursue further studies beyond a post-graduate degree in surgery?

I would have liked to, but it’s too late for it now. I think I am experienced enough to handle cases that require higher amount of surgical skills.

What is your ambition as a surgeon?

I am from a rural background and have seen absolute poverty from close quarters. When I come across patients in desperate need of surgery but are unable to afford it due to lack of resources, my conscience gives me a tough time.

Trust me, I did not become a surgeon to mint money. I sincerely want to accept my social responsibilities as a doctor.

S. Shekhar