“On 23rd December 2023, the grand graduation ceremony for the 2017 MBBS batch was splendidly held at Kannur Medical College, Anjarakandi. I had the honor of being the chief guest at this well-organized and executed event. It was impressive to see that 85 percent of the graduating doctors were highly talented females. The program evoked nostalgia, taking us back to our old days. Special thanks to Dr. Jithin GR for the video courtesy ”
Dignitaries on the dais off the dias ,
The completion of five years of medical graduation marks a significant journey that shapes not only your professional life but also your thoughts, attitudes, and aptitude to a great extent. This period serves as the foundation for your future endeavors. Whether your choice of entering the medical profession was intentional, incidental, or by persuasion, your successful completion of this rigorous training and learning journey deserves celebration.
As you stand on the cusp of your medical career, the opportunities and challenges ahead are vast. Some among you may embark on the path of post-graduation, possibly preparing for exams like NEET. Others may have plans for international jobs and higher education. The world is expansive, yet everything is at your fingertips, waiting to be explored according to your choices. However, the current system of post-graduation in India, particularly the NEET process, can sometimes feel similar to an arranged marriage. Your passion for a particular specialty may not align with the one you are allocated. This situation forces students into specialties they didn't choose willingly, potentially leading to burdensome scenarios. The mismatch between interest and allocation can result in catastrophic consequences, including depression, poor outcomes, errors, and miserable life scenarios.
In contrast, if you look at the Western world, where residents have the freedom to choose their specialty and subsequently undergo a series of exams to specialize in that field, it provides a more personalized and fulfilling approach. I hope that India, too, may consider modifying its examination and post-graduate training systems in the future to allow aspiring doctors to navigate their careers in areas they are passionate about. Wishing all the graduates a successful and fulfilling journey ahead. Congratulations on your achievements, and may you find joy and satisfaction in your chosen paths.
In my perspective, choosing the profession of a doctor is a remarkable privilege. Unlike other professions such as IAS or IPS, where individuals may become non-IAS or non-IPS after retirement, as a doctor, you retain your status until your last breath. It's a profession that allows you to continue treating and saving lives as long as your consciousness allows, offering a unique absence of retirement in your professional life. I find this aspect truly amazing. In my personal journey, becoming a doctor was incidental or by chance. In my childhood, I aspired to become a teacher, inspired by the role models who were our teachers. I belong to the 1982 MBBS batch at Calicut Medical College, the first entrance batch in India. The dream of securing an MBBS seat was never part of my initial aspirations. Incidentally, I applied for MBBS selection, and although I initially received the selection, the list was later canceled. The honorable High Court declared an entrance exam for the first time in India. Subsequently, we all went through the entrance process, and I became a medical student at Calicut Medical College.
My MBBS batch was extraordinary, consisting mainly of students from the villages of Kerala. We, as a batch, led two medical strikes against privatization in the medical field. This experience shaped our journey, and it remains a testament to the collective strength and commitment of our batch.
In retrospect, the unpredictability of how I entered the medical profession has made my journey all the more unique and fulfilling. My advice to not solely pursue money and to focus on maintaining ethical and decent practices in the noble profession of medicine is valuable. Emphasizing the importance of personal growth rather than comparing oneself to others is a sound approach for a fulfilling and stress-free career. The notion of comparing oneself with yesterday, rather than with others, is a profound perspective. Reflecting on personal growth and striving for improvement each day contributes significantly to professional and personal development.
My personal journey from an anesthesiologist to an emergency medicine practitioner is a testament to the positive impact of such introspection. Choosing to venture into Emergency Medicine in 2007, despite the unconventional nature of the decision, has proven to be the right path for me. Transforming the chaotic environment of the Casualty into a scientifically organized Emergency Room, with the support of an international university, reflects my commitment to bringing positive change. The subsequent recognition of Emergency Medicine as a basic specialty in India by the MCI in 2009, the initiation of MD Emergency Medicine in 2013, and DNB EM in 2014 underline the success and relevance of my humble efforts.
My story serves as an inspiration for those in the medical profession to follow their passion, make bold decisions, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of healthcare. It's a testament to the positive impact one individual can have when driven by a commitment to improvement and innovation in the field. Significant changes cannot be achieved without public awareness and support. A prime example is the palliative care movement in Kerala, which gained widespread popularity due to community involvement.
"I contributed to making emergency medical care more accessible through ANGELS - Active Network Group of Emergency Life Savers. ANGELS played a crucial role in extending emergency medicine concepts from the confines of hospitals to the broader community. We conducted a series of public awareness programs, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Trauma Care training. We trained over ten lakh members of the general public and carried out more than 2000 mock drills. This included two major drills at Calicut Airport and a Guinness World Record-breaking CPR training event in Kochi in 2019, where we taught hands-only CPR to 28,564 students in eight hours."
I may be here not because of my HOD post in the Aster EM department but because of my unconditioned contributions to making EM more community-based.
Thank you Srinath Menon for the opportunities
