ENCOUNTER

I thank God that He has given me the opportunity to serve people

Dr. Ravi R. Kasliwal, 49, is the senior consultant of cardiology and  head of department of Non-Invasive Cardiology in Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre of New Delhi, the most well known cardiac centre in the region.  Dr. Kasliwal, considered one of the best in the field, has several degrees including MD and DM among others. He is also  the head of Escorts Residency and Academic Curriculum, Training Programmes, Community Outreach and Education and School of Echocardiography. He is also one of the driving forces behind the establishment of Norvic Heart Care and Research Centre in Kathmandu. Born in Jaipur to a freedom fighter and personal physician to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, he has trained many cardiologists both inside and outside India.  He has, to his credit, more than 100 original papers on newer techniques in Ecocardiography and others. Inspite of his busy schedule he is actively involved in training programmes and community services. He has organised hundreds of camps in different parts of India. He is  the Editor-in-Chief of the Heart Line and Journal Indian Academy of Echocardiography. He has been decorated with more than 15 honorable awards. He spoke to The Independent during his recent visit to Kathmandu last week. Excerpts below:

Q. How did you enter the medical profession?

A. My father was a freedom fighter for the country. He was a doyen of medicine. He was a personal physician to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and also  a principal of a medical college. My father was the source of my inspiration. My parents used to tell me that it is a very demanding profession with  years of studying and so I should think ten times before entering it. I  always had a feeling that I must do something (for the country). I had many opportunities to go abroad and work which I refused. I decided to stay and serve my country. To be very honest my mission to Nepal is also to contribute to humanity. I finish work there, catch a plane, come here and to tell you the truth I went directly to the hospital from the airport. The very idea that I’m giving something back to the society gives me immense satisfaction.

Q. How long have you been associated with Escorts, and later with Norvic?

A. I joined Escorts in October 1987,  one year before the institute started. The institute started in October 1988. I knew Dr. Trehan a couple of years before joining Escorts. Everybody else out there joined after me. I have been associated with Norvic for the last six years. I have been coming here, seeing heart patients in small clinics. Now it has grown into a full fledged institution.

Q. How do you see the development of Norvic as a modern heart-care centre in Nepal?

A. I think it will come up as a very  modern heart centre. It will truly make a contribution to the heart patients in this country for the simple reason that the Chaudhary group is a very committed group. They are not out here to make money. I also see the same fire burning in their hearts that is burning in my heart. The desire to do something for the people.

Q. What are the facilities currently available in Norvic?

A. Currently you can have the complete and comprehensive check-up and complete treatment done. There are also facilities such as TMT, Echo, etc. Those patients who are operated at Escorts can have their follow ups here. All kinds of advise for prevention, promotion and cure — everything is available at Norvic right now.

Q. You are said to be one of the main forces behind the establishment of the Norvic heart care centre; what are your plans for the future?

A. The future plans are that Norvic must enter  the phase of invasive cardiology. In a few months time the people from Nepal may not have to travel to New Delhi to do angiography. We should be able to do it right here. Having done angiography alone is incomplete, either we have to do angioplasty or surgery or whatever. So we are now taking a quantum leap in the new millennium that all kinds of treatment for heart diseases and heart attacks should be available at Norvic.

Q. After the completion of these facilities, do you think the patients here may not have to go abroad for treatment for all kinds of heart ailments?

A. Yes. It will be made into a complete treatment centre and then the millions of rupees you are losing in foreign exchange will be saved.

Q.How is Escorts as an institution faring?

A. If I say Escorts is doing very well, it may be a bad news (laughs). But, truly, it is already recognized internationally. Whenever I go to meetings there are many new faces who attend my talks. They are there not because of me but because of my institution. It has made a big name for itself..

Q. You have seen many patients during you visit here this time, what are the major heart ailments here, and also in India?

A. High blood pressure and heart attacks.

Q. What could be the reason behind it?

A. People are taking too much triglycerides. They don’t exercise, blood pressures are high and  diabetes is also very common.

Q. Do you mean to say that heart diseases are increasing in this part of the world?

A.  Despite people recognizing the problem and the increase in awareness, heart problems are increasing. Ten per cent of the population have heart attacks.

Q. What is your suggestion to your patients and also to the people to reduce the risk of heart diseases?

A. Three very simple things. After recognizing the fact that you have a tendency to get heart attack (that can be identified by a complete check-up), you must eat prudently, exercise regularly and develop de-stressing mechanisms. I find that most people come from the office, and they still have this and that  to do. That way you get high blood pressure. If you follow simple steps, which also is our Eastern way of thinking; like spending  time with family and friends and avoiding excesses. If you want to have a small drink, have it but don’t hit the bottle. If you follow the middle path which is moderate exercise, discretion in diet, some recreation, I am sure you will live long.

Q. Can  modern life style be dangerous to the heart?

A. Yes, it can be  very dangerous.

Q.How do you view yourself? As someone who can give a new lease of life to people?

A. You asked me a very emotional question. I thank God that He has given me an opportunity to serve people. I could have gone anywhere else, but this is an opportunity and I feel good that with our hands something good happens. This is a great satisfaction.

Q. Do you think now with the development of modern medicines and new inventions, heart diseases and all kinds of heart ailments can be brought under control?

A. Yes, I truly believe that can be done. If all the governments start preventive programmes at grass-root levels, I think we can get hold of this menace. There is no doubt about it.

Q.The treatment of heart diseases are very expensive. How do you think it can be brought within the reach of the common people?

A. Prevention is the first step. But if you do have the disease I think instead of spending so much money in marriages and other things, you should keep something for the hour of need. Start saving. Every member of the community should also contribute something for the common good. There are rich people for whom even one lakh rupees is nothing. They should set up some kind of benevolent fund. It makes no sense inviting the whole community to a dinner and spend  thousands of rupees in the name of departed souls. Yes, we have to respect our social obligations but they can be toned down and any extravaganza avoided.  A lot can be done for those who are deprived and there should also be political will to do so.

Q. How does one de-stress oneself?

A. My relaxation is music. My good friends whom I meet in the evenings are all non-medical ones and we don’t discuss medicine at all. My wife and daughter are my biggest assets and I  exercise regularly. You should do something you like and interact with your near and dear ones. Avoid carrying your work tensions home.