At the Governmet Hospital

“I have a small lump in my back, I think its serious”, declared Suresh at home post lunch. I realised his mind had raced ahead and he had already made plans to return to his village and take an extended break.

This lead to a series of quick conferences at home. The first being to check the gravity of the problem ie the small lump in the back. There are but a few small private hospitals in Ooty with the large specialised ones being below the mountains in Coimbatore.

“Why dont you take him to the Goverment Hospital, if anything we can get a first opinion?” suggested Sim.

Well in my entire life I had been to a Government Hospital just twice which was to take the two Covid jabs. It was a place I had never thought of visiting for a treatment. But I could see the merit in our current circumstances, maybe to just get an opinion.

So Suresh and I drove off to the Ooty Government Hospital. The layout is a series of old barracks laid over multiple tiers on a hill slope. Having parked and entered the premise we set about to locate the Doctor in the Out Patient section.  But we started with our biggest handicap. Language. 

The process we learnt starts with collecting a token and then waiting to meet the Doctor. Having collected a token Suresh joined a typically long queue and an hour later his turn came. We entered the small room and the Doctor had one look at him and she said, “Oh this is a case to be seen by the Surgeon, you should move to another section’.

Which promptly meant joining another queue, the Surgeon’s queue. 

Normally I think I am quite impatient and with a start like this my lifelong apprehensions of entering a Government Hospital or Government anything were coming true.

But strange things were happening. The weather was perfect. The Sun just crisp and a light mountain breeze was flowing. The waiting seemed harmless and the mind quietened under Nature’s embrace.

A while and we were next. The Surgeon had a look at Suresh’s back. 

‘Its a lesion but its nothing to worry about. You can let it be or if you want a small surgery can help remove it. You decide ‘, he said.

I looked at Suresh.

‘ I’d prefer if it is removed ‘, he declared.

“Well then, the Surgeon continued, “get these two reports- a blood test and one for the tissues. Submit them on Tuesday and enter Suresh’s name for surgery. I do surgeries on Wednesday and Friday only”, he concluded his report.

There was something certain in the Surgeon’s demeanor which gave me confidence in his assessment. Yes, it would be a quick day surgery, no admission required.

My mind though had jumped and was racing on the logistics. Especially the thought of waiting in two more queue for giving samples for the two prescribed reports.

“Ok Sir, we shall do what you suggest. But err.. can we collect sample from a private hospital/ clinic and submit?,” I prodded.

He looked up, “Why do you want to waste money, its free here!”, he chided.

Right then and off we went. The blood test room was next door but for the path lab we had to climb a steep slope. I was breathless. I wonder how many calories I was burning now. Perhaps there is something positive in everything I wondered.

Finally with the samples given we were done for the day. Having started with the intention of getting an opinion we were looking at a host of activities ahead. Collect reports, pre surgery consultation, surgery, post surgery and also to request Shaina to come for extra hours to help at home.

My simple mountain life was looking complex in the coming week. The first thing ofcourse to do at home was to have chai, strong adrak chai. 

Settled after the soothing effects of a chai in the terrace with the Sun shining sweetly. I reasoned the way ahead was one step at a time. 

Perhaps this how Dad would have tucked in on 2nd December 1971 before his Maratha Light Infantry men would make the charge at the village of Bejai, Bangladesh the next day. 

Back to present times and two day’s later I collected the reports and we went to enter Suresh’s name for the Surgery. It was afternoon and the Doctor in attendance had a look at the two reports and said, ‘You need to collect two more reports and then come for surgery tomorrow morning. The Surgeon will be there”.

“Wait,’ I was in a tizzy, “where will I get these two reports right now? The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow right? “.

” Go to the Path lab they will guide you “. said the Doctor in attendance. “Also one person from your side has to be in attendance while the surgery takes place”.

So off we raced up the slopes. It was 3:45 pm and I knew the labs close at 4pm. 

We reached, “Aah yes,’ said the assistant,” we dont have the kit for one of these tests. Ill write it down and it won’t be problem. And for the second one you need an attestation from the Blood test centre “.

“Isnt that down, I asked, “from where we came just came?” 

” Yes, ” she nodded helpfully, “the person will be there for another 15 minutes, they close at 4:30pm”.

So we raced back downhill. I could feel my calves asking if I was restarting marathon training ? No, this is just temporary I replied. I hoped.

And lo. The man was walking out having closed the blood test centre when we caught up with him in the stairs. I handed him the papers and he had a look.

” The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow” , I said taking a deep breath.

” All right”, and he saw the blood test report and attested with his signature.

So ended our pre surgery phase. 

The next day I dropped Suresh and Shaina at the operation theater. The Surgeon had said earlier that Suresh being a low critical case would have to wait his turn.

With Ayaan having half day as his term assessments were on,  I went to school to pick him. While waiting for Ayaan I got a call from Shaina – Suresh was wheeled in.

Ayaan came out hungry and tired. Let’s go for lunch he announced. Shinkows.

Lets go via the Hospital I suggested. All right, but dont take long.

As I parked and went up Suresh had come out. The Surgeon explained the procedure, gave a list of medicines and suggested to come next week to remove the stitches.

As Suresh walked back down to the car I saw Ayaan.

“I know you are very tired and hungry, but can we drop Suresh home?”.

He had one look at Suresh and nodded, “Yes Dad, let us”.

Later as we pigged over the delicious Chinese lunch at Shinkows I called and updated Sim. I realised it couldn’t have gone better. Shaina was home making hot simple food for Suresh. His treatment had gone smoothly, he seemed relieved. And the Government Hospital had billed us princely sum of Zero rupees. The consultation, the reports, medicines, surgery, everything everything included. 

Yes Calories burnt were an extra bonus of course.

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