7/9 - Dugad Hospital (Day 1)

Next stop: Dugad Hospital. Another privately owned hospital, except this one is run by a single doctor, Dr. Dugad (OB-GYN) himself. Like Siddhi hospital, Dugad Hospital specializes in obstetrics and gynecology. Both open and laparoscopic procedures are performed here.

The outside of the hospital.

Before Dr. Dugad arrived, we shadowed a visiting pediatrician giving vaccinations for Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis & Typhoid. 

Some observations of note:

1. Like Siddhi Hospital, open-toed sandals are used in the OT.

2. Many tools, such as the laparoscope, gloves, clamps, etc. are cleaned and reused rather than disposed.

3. Tea breaks!!!

Below is what I learned about today:

A uterine septum, a condition in which a malformation causes a barrier of sorts in the uterine cavity. This has been known to be correlated with higher rates of premature births and even miscarriages. To rectify the problem, the surgeon enters and cuts the septum.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which multiple cysts arise in the ovaries, causing hormone imbalance. Many females diagnosed with PCOS have problems with conception (in other words, infertility). Using the standard laparoscopic procedure these cysts can be drilled and drained of fluid, allowing natural recovery of the ovaries.

Every Thursday morning, Dr. Dugad volunteers his services at a government hospital (which is more or less the equivalent of free clinics in the US) and offered to show us what the majority of Indian citizens receive (a glimpse of, and I quote, "The True India"). For reference, according to Dr. Dugad:

1. Health insurance is relatively new in the country. Approximately 5% of the populace has a form of health insurance similar to what a US citizen would consider as health insurance. Around 30% has some medical plan (although not similar to health insurance). The rest have neither health plans nor health insurance.

2. Many medical practitioners are required by the government to provide their services to these government hospitals for some X amount of years, as a way of repayment for medical education costs.

3. The American healthcare sector is extremely specialized: gynecologist, pediatrician, dermatologist, laparoscopic surgeon, general surgeon, anesthesiologist, neonatal surgeon, immunologist, etc. India has this too, albeit on a smaller scale. Enlisting a specialist (if even available in the area) is extremely costly. Thus, a wide range of health issues are taken care of by a single doctor.

4. The level of care received in these governmental hospitals varies, not due to equipment or supplies but because of staffing. At the hospital we visited in particular, the attending staff are fully trained to handle births. Dr. Dugad frequently visits just in case an emergency occurs during the process. Not all clinics are this lucky.

Walking in to the governmental hospital, the quality difference between public and private care was stark. No photos were taken for privacy reasons.