Doctors

Dr. Gurumurthy, Director of SSSIHMS-PG giving the welcome address

On November 10th, 2018, a workshop titled ‘The Heart of Sai Healthcare Mission’ was conducted for the DNB (Diplomate of National Board) doctors of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences – Prasanthi gram (SSSIHMS-PG) and Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital (SSSGH) in SSSIHMS-PG conference hall.

The purpose of the workshop was to facilitate the orientation of the young doctors (DNBs) working in the SSSIHMS – PG and SSSGH, Prasanthi Nilayam, towards the healthcare vision and mission of our beloved Lord Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. About 50 doctors from the various departments attended the same.

In his welcome address, Dr. Gurumurthy, Director of the SSSIHMS – PG succinctly delved upon the purpose and philosophy of the Sai Health care mission. He gave an outline of the number of DNB doctors that are currently working in each of the departments.

This was followed by Sri Prasad Rao’s (IAS), Member Secretary, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust inaugural talk in which he highlighted the current state of medical care in the country and how the SSSIHMS was different from them all. Sri Prasad Rao’s talk was followed by the keynote address of Dr. V. Mohan, Trustee and world renowned diabetologist. He spoke over a video conferencing facility from his office in Chennai. His 30 minute talk covered the entire spectrum of the Sai Healthcare mission.

Dr V Mohan’s talk was followed by Prof. Vishwanath Pandit’s talk. He is the director of the SSSCHV and former Vice- Chancellor of the SSSIHL. His talk focussed on the need for values in day to day life. He explained in brief the purpose of the SSSCHV and its mandate.

Prof. Vishwanath Pandit, then Director of SSSCHV addressing the doctors at SSSIHMS - PG

Prof. Vishwanath Pandit’s speech was followed by the most awaited moment of the morning, video of an excerpt of Bhagavan Baba’s discourse from 1994. It was a discourse given on the occasion of the Cardiac Symposium but its message, as always, is relevant for eternity. The discourse covered a wide array of instructions, suggestions and guidelines to doctors. It brought out His philosophy beautifully.

After the morning tea session, Dr. Narasimhan, Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital, gave a rousing speech for an hour. His talk expounded on the five pillars of the Sai Healthcare Mission namely: Comprehensive Healthcare – state of the art, quality healthcare; Universal Healthcare – welcoming to all irrespective of caste, creed and religion; Spiritual healthcare – treat all as kith and kin, De-commercialised Healthcare - free for all, Preventive Healthcare – not just treatment of disease but also prevent its recurrence.

In the afternoon session, a panel discussion was conducted for all the participants. The following was structure for the panel discussion.

A video entitled “Start with why -- how great leaders inspire action” by Mr. Simon Sinek was used as a structure for the workshop. The concept basically puts for the following proposition.

It proposes that all organizations / individuals know ‘WHAT’ they do. In our organization (SSSIHMS and SSSGH), too, we know ‘WHAT’ is done or what is to be done. Fewer organizations know HOW they should do what they do. However, very few organizations know ‘WHY’ they do, what they do. Defining or knowing the ‘Why’ is not necessarily the outcome; such as ‘to treat patients’ or ‘to cure diseases’. Why stands for the ‘what is the purpose?’, ‘Why do I exist?’ etc.

Research shows that those organizations / people who know very clearly the ‘WHY’ of their existence are those who thrive successfully and last long. Everybody wants to be a part of organizations that know their ‘WHY’ clearly.

The endeavour, in the two panel discussions was to take up the ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of SSSIHMS. The concept of the golden circle was introduced to the participants. Three aspects of ‘WHY’ was taken up:

• Why am I a doctor? Or Why did I choose to become a doctor? Or Why did I become a doctor? This is at the individual level.
• Why this hospital? Or Why does this hospital exist? Or Why did Swami set up a hospital? At the SSSIHMS level.
• Why Swami? Or Why should I be a part of this divine mission? Or What is the purpose of the mission as a whole? This is at the broadest level.

The panel consisted of Dr. Neelam Desai, HoD of CTVS department, SSSIHMS-PG, Dr. Kolli Challam, HoD of Anaesthesiology, SSSIHMS – Whitefield (WFD) and Sri N. Karthik, Senior Manager, Finance and Account, SSSIHMS – WFD. Each of the members are vastly experienced with the Sri Sathya Sai System having spent decades in divine proximity and personal guidance from Swami.

The second panel consisted of Dr. Sundaresh, Director, SSSIHMS – WFD, Dr. Lathashree, SSSGH – Prasanthi Nilayam and Sri Vaithialingam. This panel dealt with the ‘HOW’. Three aspects of ‘HOW’ were brought up namely:

• How does Swami want medical care to be rendered?
• How does Swami want this hospital to function as a marvellous model? The modus operandi, the form and function, the initial pointers. What are some of the unique features and the philosophy behind the FAQs.
• How should I function in such a hospital?

The panellist shared their thoughts , insights and complemented them with their experiences and anecdotes.

The workshop ended with the impressions of some of the current DNB doctors on their WHY and HOW.