Last Year, around the last week of March, I started having some issues with my vision on my left eye. I went to a spectacle shop where they had the facility to examine the eye with computer. The verdict I got there was that my left eye was not responding to the power glass.
So, during the summer, I again got my eyes examined by an ophthalmologist at a reputed private hospital. After a thorough examination, the doctor gave the verdict that I would need to undergo cataract surgery on my left eye if I wish to totally restore my vision. The diagnosis was nothing short of a bombshell since I always thought that only retired senior citizens go for cataract surgery.
So I came home thinking that I would ponder over the matter and also hoping that my eye would miraculously improve on its own in due course of time. But as the weeks passed on, the vision of my left eye began to deteriorate and I became worried. And I started doing my own research on the matter. The doctor who examined my eyes had recommended a procedure called phaco cataract surgery for me.
My near and dear ones were totally against the idea of me undergoing eye surgery here in Nagaland. So, after much deliberation, we opted for Guwahati. Through some friends, we came to learn that the Sri. Sankaradeva Nethralaya Hospital in Guwahati would be the best for a thorough examination of my eyes and also the recommended phaco cataract surgery if at all surgery was required. Thus I headed for Guwahati.
The states of Assam and Nagaland share the same boundary and Guwahati is just about 350 KMs from Kohima. But I experienced massive differences in the way medical care services were rendered at the Nethralaya Eye Centre as compared to what one would normally experience here in Nagaland.
The impression and the feeling that I got at the Nethralaya hospital was very heartwarming and welcoming. The attitudes and demeanors of the staffs from the parking attendants and the security personnel to the receptionists and the nurses were very cordial, gentle, polite and decent. Though I was visiting the hospital for the first time I felt like everybody there knew me. The receptionists, the security personnel and the nurses attended to all our needs and queries with such a positive and welcoming attitude that for a moment I forgot all about my eye as I felt like stepping into a luxury hotel to spend holiday.
The hospital was rather crowded as there were many patients and all the staffs were fully engrossed in attending to the needs and queries of the patients and their attendants. However, despite the fact that all the staffs were busy and engrossed in their own tasks, whenever you interacted with them they always ended the interaction with a smile on their faces. I was so impressed with this as I had never seen this kind of behavior in any of the hospitals I visited.
It is said that “a smile is a curve that can set many things straight”. It is also said that “the face is the index of the mind”. How true indeed! Even if you don’t say anything also, with a smile and the right expression on the face, you can make someone completely feel at home and that was what I experienced during my recent trip to this eye hospital. When you smile at someone, what does it convey? It conveys the message, “I like you and I am happy to see you”. It’s really amazing how a simple smile can bring about such positive energy in someone and change the whole atmosphere.
There is a saying which says, “preach with your behaviors and manners and use words only when necessary”. I saw and experienced something like this during my visit to this health centre. Many good words may come out of our mouths but words that come out of our mouths become cheap and superficial when they are not backed by the right manners, behaviours and actions.
Though I don’t like comparisons, after experiencing the positive atmosphere at the Nethrayala eye hospital, I can’t help but remember the gloomy and somber faces of some nurses and hospital staffs in some hospitals I had visited. It is unfortunate that many people work in hospitals and roam around as if they are being forced to do something they really hate and despise. So, how can people who go to hospitals seeking healing and restoration of their health find comfort and encouragement from such cold, gloomy and somber faces?
Upon examining my eyes, the Nethralaya doctors also reaffirmed that my left eye would require cataract surgery. So after all my vital signs like BP, sugar level, ECG etc were found to be conducive for the surgery, I finally underwent the much anticipated but dreaded surgery at this hospital. But the experiences were all well worth it as the hospital personnel were very professional and courteous and they exuded very enriching positive energy.
I particularly remember the nurse who escorted me to the operation theatre. I was led to the operating room like a VIP. She exchanged pleasantries with me all the way and upon reaching the operating room she smiled and opened the door and told me to enter wishing me luck. Two hours after the surgery, the bandage on my left eye was removed by another nurse who was again as friendly as ever. Three medical personnel attended to my surgery. I guess one was the main doctor and the other two were just attendants. And what is amazing and very touching is that despite the fact that they themselves were so qualified and working in a premier health centre in the country, they were all so respectful and referred to me not as just another patient but as “Sir”.
During the examination of my eyes, I was called to enter many different rooms where they had different machines to examine the eye. And it was quite a treat to hear my name being called out by the nurses / attendants as my name is a pure Angami name without any blemish whatsoever. I guess they were calling out all the patients by name in order to make them feel valued and comfortable. But I was rather amused because I know my name is not the easiest name to pronounce.
Many people think that in order to show that they are responsible they need to be serious all the time. But I think this is not true. You can be responsible and good natured at the same time. So when you work in a welfare and benevolent institute like a hospital and roam around with a smile on your face and a sparkle in your eyes, it speaks volumes and you are vibrating so much positive energy and people are naturally drawn to you. It is like rubbing healing balms on the patients who come to the hospital for healing. I feel this is something really important because patients who come to hospitals are already emotionally struggling and lacking in motivation and encouragement as their minds are preoccupied with so many worries and concerns.
It is highly probable that the nurses and other staffs of the Nethralaya hospital were given an orientation class before they were employed. And in this orientation, they were all probably directed to maintain a good and welcoming attitude and behavior towards the patients and visitors. I guess this is why they treat the visitors and patients like VIPs.
At the hospital, we were given a brochure which had all the information about the hospital. On the cover of this brochure is a picture of the hospital and below the picture is an inscription which says “In the Service of the Nation since 1994”. I have no doubt that they are truly living up to this motto. Yes, I got the impression that money-making is not at all their primary motive. Of course, I did pay for the surgery. I did pay for the multifocal lens that is now installed in my eye. I did pay for the registration. I did pay for the check-up and the eye examination. I did pay for all the tests which I had to undergo before the surgery. But all these expenses were worthwhile and very nominal in comparison to the service, treatment, courtesy and professionalism that were showered on me. The Nethralaya Eye Centre exudes such positive energy that all who visits the hospital will be enriched in more ways than one. All I can say is that the Nethralaya Eye Hospital is truly serving humanity in an amazing way and living up to its motto of being in the service of the nation since its inception.
