The good doctors

I am a healthcare professional. I automatically respect all healthcare professionals for their contribution to the wellbeing of the society. My admiration for the healthcare professionals did not start after I became one. It started way earlier in my childhood. I attribute it to two doctors - The Good Doctors.

Let's call them Dr S and Dr S madam. Dr S was a renowned doctor in my town. He was raised by his distant relatives who resided in a small village on the Gujarat Maharashtra border. He was fluent in Marathi and Gujrati languages along with English and Hindi. His wife, Dr S madam too was a doctor.

Dr S and his wife would practice in our area. They were the real lifelines of our area. Dr S had impeccable diagnosis. He would examine the patient and he would diagnose. Lab tests were only to confirm his diagnosis. His knowledge of the pathology and medicine was beyond ordinary. His clinic was always full of patients. He would accept patients of all ages and conditions. Patients used to travel from far distance to get treated by him. He would run his clinic for extended hours so that all patients would get the treatment they need.

Dr S was not only known for his expertise in the field. He was better known as a kind and empathic doctor. He would come for home visit irrespective of the time. Late night or early morning calls would still get attended. He would never tell a patient that he would not make a home visit. If any of his patients happened to get hospitalized, he would visit the patient each day to the hospital before going to his clinic. Most people would feel a relief only by knowing that Dr S is the doctor in charge. Such was his reputation.

Dr S madam was equally competent and caring. She would be the first point of contact for women and children. She would treat each patient with utmost care and empathy. Both Dr S and Dr S madam had an amazing track record of treating their patients. Their kind and caring nature made them special in the community. They became almost like close family members to their patients.

I can say that Dr S and Dr S madam ruled the hearts of their patients. I can say this for myself. Both being very close to me since I had been a baby. As a neonate I received my first vaccine at their clinic. Dr S had administered the vaccine to me. From common cold to pneumonia, Dr S had taken the responsibility of my wellbeing and treated me. As a child I used to think that Dr S and Dr S madam were my close blood relatives. That was their impact on me.

Time is never kind to anyone. It was not kind to the doctor couple as well. I was 25 years old and had back pain (laptop induced). I went to their clinic. Dr S was alone, Dr S madam had not come to the clinic. While giving the prescription, he said that Dr S madam is not keeping well. The hint of sadness in his voice told me that it was serious. A couple of months later, their clinic started remaining closed. Both of them would not come to the clinic. By this time both were in 70s.

The doctors suffered a bad fate. Dr S underwent 2 surgeries. Both failed making him handicapped. The doctor with a golden touch was crippled by ailments. Dr S madam was diagnosed with a terminal illnesses. She died shortly after the diagnosis. Dr S survived for a couple more years with impaired organs and senses. During the COVID lockdown he died due to his illnesses. When we heard about his demise, I wept. I had lost a family member.

Even many years after their demise, we still remember them. We still remember their expertise, kindness, and compassion. They left the world but their memories are still immortal. I had spoken about them so highly with various people and at various events. Such was their legacy. The good doctors dedicated their lives for their patients. They were not just good doctors but ideal doctors.

It is often said that when good people die, they become stars. If that is true, I am certain that the good doctors would have become the brightest stars in this galaxy. They are guiding us with their light. They would still be watching over their patients.

If our good deeds open the door of heaven, then I am sure, the good doctors have received the best seat in the heaven. The humanity would be forever thankful for their service in the mortal realm.