( Dr. Rahul Bhargava leading Hemato-Oncologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist tells his Journey developing Valentis Hospital as a centre of excellence in treating blood cancer.)
New Delhi/ Health Live
It is a blistering hot Wednesday in May and my car’s air conditioning has been ineffective against the scorching heat radiating from the tarmac road as I make my weekly journey from Gurgaon to Meerut. I am familiar with every twist and turn on that road and with the progress and development that has taken place because this weekly journey is really a pilgrimage that began 5 years ago.
As the car reaches its destination; Valentis Cancer Hospital, a little boy with shining eyes and a mischievous grin comes running up. He is followed by his smiling mother. It is Eid and she has brought Biryani.
This is a tradition we both look forward to and this is Zara; my first patient. The biryani is not just the tastiest that I have ever had but is laced with the sweet aroma of success.
Five years ago, when Valentis first opened its doors, Zara had come to me, clutching on to a tiny infant and an even tinier sliver of hope. She had a lump in her neck and was racked with sweats, chills and fever. The local doctors had been unable to diagnose her and after much time and money wasted, she had finally travelled the dusty road to AIIMS, Delhi. The over busy, overworked institute had given her a wait period of 15 days before a biopsy could be done. Zara had nowhere to stay, an infant to take care of and time was running out for her. This is when, in desperation, she came to me in Valentis.
Set up amidst sugar cane fields Valentis is a labour of love for its founder, Dr. Amit Jain, who gave up a lucrative practice in the corporate sector to follow his dream of serving the poorest of the poor. Boasting of state- of- the -art machines for Radio Therapy and Pet Scan, it is a large, highly specialized centre that offers excellence in treatment for the residents of Meerut and the surrounding villages. And it is here that Zara was accurately diagnosed with Lymphoma and successfully treated through chemotherapy with Rituximab based regime.
That was five years ago. Since then, over 8,000 patients have been treated by me for all kinds of Blood Cancers; CML, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Leukaemia and Anaemia. With 80% survival after 5 years of CML patients and 78% survival for lymphoma patients, the statistics are amongst the best in the country. Moreover, the treatment is cost effective and readily available to the poorest of the poor who earlier had no option but to knock on several doors and then, eventually begin their long trek to AIIMS in Delhi, in hope of treatment. Most of the time, it would be too late for them and one more casualty would be added to the long list of misdiagnosed and untreated people. And one more home needlessly lost a precious family member.
Here, I would like to thank the doctors and local practitioners of Meerut and the adjoining areas for reposing their trust in me and referring their patients for treatment. This success rate would not have been possible without their support and alignment with my vision.I would also like to highlight another important reason that I have been making my weekly journey to Meerut, unfailingly for the past 5 years.
Our over reliance on government hospitals must stop and private hospitals such as Valentis must be encouraged to come up so that accurate and timely diagnosis and cost effective and targeted treatment by specialists can be given to ensure the best possible outcomes. Government hospitals should be given the time and space to devote to research and development so as to address the medical challenges and demands of our nation. Meanwhile, specialized private hospitals can use the technology already developed and the latest in medical knowledge which emerges from these centres of research to reach out to the people, delivering it to the last mile, especially to the economically weaker sections of society in remote areas, who are most in need of treatment and receive it the least.
The road to Meerut is an old friend; known to me like the back of my hand. What was once a dusty, potholed route is now a swanking new highway that has cut down travel time and stress. The development I have seen over the past 5 years due to the government’s breadth of vision is a metaphor for my own Meerut journey. I have been given a unique opportunity to serve my nation and I am committed to the cause. My vision of an anaemia free India and accurate, timely and affordable cancer treatment delivered to the last mile is slowly emerging as a reality. My reward? The delight on Zara’s face as she is declared cancer free 5 years after treatment and the smile on her son’s face as he holds the hand of the mother he nearly lost.
My journey continues and I request your blessings and support as I undertake it. Thanks to all the physicians and doctors who helped me and trusted me.
Doctor’s Profile: Dr. Rahul Bhargava is a senior, eminent and leading Hemato-Oncologist practicing in Fortis Hospital, Gurgaon. His academic journey began with M.D. (Medicine) in the year 2004 followed by DM from one of the most prestigious institutes of the country i.e. AIIMS in the year 2009. However, his unending quest for professional excellence lead him to pursue post DM fellowship in Leukemia & BMT in the year 2010; from Vancouver Hospital, where he was specifically trained in Voluntary Stem Cell transplant & Umbilical cord transplant for various diseases. Currently, Dr. Rahul Bharagva is spearheading functions as a Director and Head of Hematology- Hematoncology and stem cell transplant at Fortis Mamorial Reasearch Institute Gurgaon.
Prior to joining Fortis Hospital Dr. Rahul was providing service as Chairman & Director of Hemato-Oncology & Stem Cell Transplant Unit at Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, India and before that as Consultant in the Department of Hematology & Oncology, Medanta-the Medicity Gurgaon, where he was instrumental in setting up one of the most successful transplant units in North India. Dr. Bhargava along with his team had successfully conducted more than 1000 transplants which in itself is record breaking in whole of North India.
Dr. Rahul Bhargava is a member of American Society of Bone Marrow Transplant,American Society of Paediatric Hemato-Oncology,International Society of Paediatic Oncology, Paediatric Hemato Oncology,Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Delhi Medical Council and Rajasthan Medical Council.
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