DAMA: Discharge against Medical Advice
A Choice of Necessity, Not Neglect Doctors are Victims of a Broken System The recent Supreme Court judgment in the Harish Rana case (2026 INSC 222) has sent ripples through the Indian healthcare community. In a landmark ruling, the bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan expressed deep concern over the practice of “Discharge […]
ANTIBIOTIC SMART HOSPITALS
A Historic Milestone in the Fight against Anti-microbial resistance: Saluting Kerala’s Visionary Initiative As a doctor I have spent decades in the wards and ICUs. I have watched with growing alarm and helplessness as our most potent weapons against infection – antibiotics – are failing us and our patients. Every day, I see patients in […]
Why the Harish Rana Judgment is a New Dawn for Dignity in India
END OF LIFE CARE (EOLC) IN INDIA Dr. Somnath Chatterjee, Medical Director, Prakriya Hospitals, Bengaluru For the last several decades, families of patients have sat at the bedsides of their loved ones where medicine had reached its limit. For them, the hardest part wasn’t the physical pain of the patient; it was the “legal and […]
Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy: Your Options
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure that rebuilds the shape of the breast after a mastectomy. For many women, it helps restore body image, confidence, and a sense of wholeness after breast cancer treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your best option depends on your health, cancer treatment plan, body type, and personal goals. When […]
Recognizing Pediatric Emergencies: A Guide for Parents
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: looking at your child and wondering, “Is this a ‘wait and see’ situation, or do we need to leave for the ER right now?” When it comes to kids, their condition can change fast. Trusting your “parental gut” is vital, but having a concrete checklist can help you stay calm […]
Flat Feet: When Is It Normal and When to Worry?
Have you ever looked at someone’s feet and noticed that their arches seem to be missing, with the whole foot touching the ground? That’s what we commonly call flat feet, or in medical terms, ‘pes planus’. While it might look unusual, not all flat feet are a cause for concern. In fact, in many cases, […]
Why Are So Many People Mentally Exhausted Today?
“Doctor, I sleep well, but I still wake up tired. I can’t focus at work anymore, and even small things irritate me.” This is something I hear quite often in clinic. Many people assume they are simply overworked or not sleeping enough. But when we explore further, what they are often experiencing is mental exhaustion. […]
Healing or Harming? The Polypharmacy Puzzle
Definition Why It Happens Why Elderly Are at Higher Risk Complications of Polypharmacy Warning Signs Prevention & Management Summary Polypharmacy is a growing silent challenge in elderly care. While multiple medicines may be necessary, excessive or unreviewed prescriptions can lead to serious complications. Careful monitoring, periodic review, and rational prescribing are essential to ensure that […]
Breast Conservation Surgery: Erasing the Disease. Preserving the Self. Because You Have a Choice.
In a surgical oncology OPD, often you see this scene unfolding A woman sits silently with her biopsy report. Before she can speak, her family does. “Doctor, remove the whole breast. Just save her.” I look at her — quiet, frightened. Not only of cancer, but of what it will take from her identity. I […]
Movement as Medicine: Structured Exercise After Cancer Treatment for Recovery and Survival
As an oncologist, I hear the same question from almost every patient once treatment is over: “Doctor, what can I do from my side to prevent the cancer from coming back?” It is a deeply human question. After months of treatment, patients want control. They want to actively contribute to their own recovery. One of […]
