By Shadan Muneer

We come across many accomplished women health practitioners who have rendered selfless service for the betterment of human civilisation. Dr. Geetha H. Nagaraju is an accomplished doctor who specialises in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. A native of H.D. Kote and a proud daughter of agriculturists, she attained her MBBS degree from Bangalore Medical College and Post-Graduation from Mission Hospital, Mysuru.

Apart from being brilliant in academics, this young mother of two is a National-level Kho Kho player and was part of Karnataka winning team at National Games held in Bengaluru and has represented Karnataka several times at National Tournaments. Dr. Geetha aims to create awareness about the importance of women’s health who she thinks are the building blocks of family.

Star of Mysore (SOM): From a rural household to being a healthcare professional, take us through your journey?

Dr. Geetha: The journey hasn’t been easy. I spent my early days in a remote village that had minimal resources and infrastructural facilities. Despite financial issues, my father wanted me and my siblings to do well academically which is why we moved to Mysuru to pursue higher education. I have earlier worked at Apollo BGS Hospital, Columbia Asia and Manipal Hospital and have also worked for a hospital in the UAE. I have recently joined the team of doctors at Nayana Kumar’s Multi-speciality Hospital.

SOM: Can you elaborate on the challenges faced in the medical field?

Dr. Geetha: Dealing with each patient is challenging as every patient comes with a different educational and financial background. They come with their own beliefs and expectations and when things don’t turn out the way they had imagined, it becomes very challenging to make them acknowledge the situation. Some patients do not accept the cost of healthcare and convincing them is not easy. Giving our 100 percent for patient satisfaction is always our priority.

SOM: Attacks on doctors are becoming common. Have you faced any such issue? What measures can be initiated to protect doctors from unruly people?

Dr. Geetha: Fortunately, I haven’t faced any such issue and I strongly condemn attacks on doctors. Violence is not just physical, some even face verbal abuse. To prevent such attacks, creating awareness is necessary. Posters about the laws which protect the doctors from assault along with the punishments should be put up on notice boards and at the reception counters of the hospitals.

SOM: Give us some tips for the safety of women doctors.

Dr. Geetha: Support from male colleagues and hospital staff during duty hours will be helpful. Arranging for reliable transport by the hospital for the lady doctors while attending a night call emergency will be beneficial.

SOM: What steps would you recommend to promote gender equality in the medical profession?

Dr. Geetha: Getting equal positions, opportunities and salaries can create a place free of bias. Gender balance also helps in more effective patient care. Both men and women have to be treated equally.

SOM: Being a doctor, how do you balance work and family?

Dr. Geetha: Our profession requires us to attend to emergency cases. I am blessed to have a supportive family that has helped me come this far. My mother has been a great support and my husband, who is also from the medical field, encourages me to keep going which helps me strike a balance.

SOM: It is said that men are not too comfortable with a lady boss.

Dr. Geetha: Women have come a long way, things have changed and men have accepted women in high-profile positions. We don’t encounter this much in our profession as we need to come together and work as a team. Personally, I haven’t experienced this as a majority of my colleagues are females in my field.

SOM: What are your views on Women’s Day?

Dr. Geetha: Womanhood needs to be celebrated every day as women work all year round without complaining and without a break. Women can balance family and profession to perfection. Every role that women play should be appreciated, they must be applauded not just on a particular day but in every walk of their life.