Dr Phadke Retires

Dr. Phadke Retires

Yesterday I attended a small intimate gathering which met to say     ' bye ' to Dr Phadke. He is a well known Pediatric Nephrologist in St Johns. The small crowd, about 100, consisted of administrators, management, fellow doctors, nurses, students, a couple of patients and oddly I representing ( self proclaimed ) a trust – SDF - which has been donating money to take care of poor patients (children ).

I was the first to arrive, a full 20 minutes ahead of 4 pm. There was some Hindi film song being played. The meeting was being held in a covered terrace open on all sides and arrangements were like that of a lecture  (not very popular one at that ) with a table and 4 chairs for dais and several chairs in front. If you are seated at the back even by a few rows you could not see people on the dais. Slowly people started coming in and the meeting started almost on time.

There were many tributes ; many as expected on such occasions but some different;  and all of them  appeared sincere. Dr Phadke is a man of many words, simple, clear, calm, assured , kind and patient. He listens and can take criticism easily. He came from US and worked for a few years at Manipal, a corporate  hospital. He did not like the ethos of Manipal and joined St Johns foregoing a fat salary. He was for several years head of Pediatric Nephrology and later Pediatric department. He is highly respected in his field.

My association with him over last 10 years or so has left a deep impression on me. I have discussed many things – corporate culture of hospitals, preventive care, training of pediatrics, importance of documentation, novels like Yayati, music, social security, improving presentations, children’s hospital , poverty of patients etc etc. I have met a few children undergoing treatment. I have sat in his new office – a big cubicle really -  and shared his enthusiasm about getting that office; had tea or coffee - at once simple and tasteless.

I have always felt buoyed up and felt I became a little better person, a little more caring, a little more humble, a little more humane. He would induce optimism in spite of so many negatives  surrounding us.

We went around the ward once . The children were undergoing various treatments. He explained a few cases to me. In one corner there was a small portion of a wall covered with coloured drawings – bright and original. It was the creation of children with the help of an NGO. He had a dream of building a children’s hospital in St Johns. It would be child friendly, colorful, vibrant, funny. Music would be there and so also play things. There would be books to read and games to play. Everyone including staff would be dressed colourfully . He explained that we do not need ( can not afford ) swanky corporate hospitals- imposing, aloof and frightening. Instead it would be simple, colorful and with kind and efficient staff. It did not materialize but would happen one day at St Johns.

The venue, decor, people all represented to me what a good hospital should be. Even the speeches were straight forward and precise. He spoke hesitatingly and praised his team. He said we should dream big. There were no catchy phrases, raising of voice, no nostalgia , no melodrama ; instead it was simple, from the heart and poorly articulated.

The poignant moment for me was when a mother – Nagina – of a patient – a young boy called Moin -  was invited to say a few words about Dr. Phadke. She came, stood and wept.

There is a saying in Kannada – one should remember such noble souls in the evening before one lights up the lamp in the altar (ಸಂಜೆ ದೀಪ ಹಚ್ಚುವ ಮುನ್ನ ನೆನಸಿಕೋ ಬೇಕಾದ ಪುಣ್ಯಾತ್ಮರು ).

 Dr Phadke fits that very well.