Knowledgeable, dependable, compassionate, realistic and spirited are just few ways to describe Dr B S Singhal who has completely dedicated his life to serve people by ridding them of ailments that afflict the most complex of organs: the brain. Raelene Kambli meets this expert neurologist to know more about his life’s journey
| Dr B S Singhal |
People living with Parkinson’s Disease lead an extremely difficult life. Apart from the typical motor symptoms, these patients also suffer from acute depression and treating such patients requires a lot of expertise. Hence, it is a comforting prospect that we have noble doctors who work to mitigate the suffering of these patients. Dr BS Singhal, Director of the Neurology Department at the Bombay Hospital and founding member of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society is one such doctor who has spent more than 50 years in service of people suffering from neurological disorders. A pioneer in the field of modern neurology in India, he has worked very hard and burnt the midnight lamp in order to decipher the brains of several such people. In fact, he is much admired for his ability to deal with patients suffering from Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Megalencephalic Leukodystrophy, Myelopathy associated with Eales’ disease and Myasthenia Gravis.
Within the industry, Dr Singhal has a reputation as one of the most active neurologists. He has been the postgraduate teacher for DM Neurology of Bombay University since July 1970 and an examiner for DM neurology for several universities in India and for the National Board, New Delhi. Additionally, he has been organising ‘Neurology Updates’ (continuing medical education programmes) since 1996 by inviting leading experts in neurology from overseas for the benefit of neurologists from India and neighbouring countries. He is also on the Editorial Board of Neurology India, Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology and is a member of the International Advisory Committee of the Archives of Neurology. Dr Singhal has several prestigious awards in his kitty that includes: Dr BC Roy National Award for Development of Neurology in India, Priyadarshini Academy National Award for outstanding contribution in the field of Medicine, the Wockhardt Award for Medical Excellence in Neurology [organised by the Harvard Medical International] and the Dhanvantri Award. Fellow neurologists revere him as a guide and for his patients, he is no less than a saviour.
Recently, he was bestowed with the 27th RD Birla National Award for his contribution to the field of modern medicine and neurology. And this occasion gave me an opportunity to meet with this distinguished man in person. I didn’t want to lose my lucky chance. So, I convinced him to spare an hour for me and he acquiesced, asking me to proceed to his office and wait for some time.
While I waiting to interact with Dr Singhal, I had a hundred questions popping in mind. Questions about the human brain, its functions and its aliments, about Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis as well as of his life’s experiences as an expert neurologist of the country. Amidst this medley of thoughts, he arrived and invited me inside his office.
My first impressions about Dr Singhal was that he has a radiant personality and his poise was a testimony to his experience and achievements earned through these years. His deep yet soothing voice had the ability to put anyone at ease. A great quality for a doctor to possess. Certainly, his patients would be delighted to have him as their doctor-cum-friend and would find it very easy to confide their problems to him. With a warm smile he asked me about purpose of this meeting and thus began this interesting tète-à-tète.
I started of by asking him about the transitions that he has witnessed in the field of neurology; especially in India. On this he replied, “The practice of neurology has evolved in leaps and bounds. The study of the human brain is very complex and has many facets that still remain mysterious, but while aiming at treating the physical disorders of the brain, there have been many breakthroughs.” He then spoke on the neurological disorders that are affecting the Indian population and informed, “Epilepsy and stroke are some of the common worries in India. Among the medical conditions affecting the aged population are dementia and Alzheimers, which are known to all. But there is another illness called the Parkinson’s that has being increasing in India because of the demographic changes within the country and a growing number of aging population. This particular disease needs a lot of attention, especially in India and Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Society is working towards providing a better life to these people. Under the Society, we have introduced various holistic programmes for these patients such Iyengar yoga, dance and music that helps these patients regain their mobility, self control and confidence. We also reach out to people who cannot come to us. In such cases, we go to their house to provide them with the care that they need. I believe that treating Parkinson’s disease is beyond medicine, we have to have a holistic approach in treating this disease. Our motto is, ‘I have Parkinson’s but Parkinson’s does not have me,’ which means that patients should live a normal life even with the disease. For this, on the April 11, which is World Parkinson’s Day, we as a Society will be organising various programmes to create more awareness about the disease as well as help more patients in managing the disease.”
Growing up
| Dr B S Singhal with his family |
Our conversation then moved on to his early days of schooling, medical education and becoming an established neurologist. Reminiscing about his childhood days he said, “I was born in Mount Abu and my school was adjacent to the Adams Memorial Hospital serving the population. Everyday, my friends and I, after finishing all our school activities visited the hospital. As young lads we used to volunteer to assist the hospital staff in providing services to the patients. Though we couldn’t do anything much, this somehow cultivated the aspiration of becoming a doctor within me.”
Then he revived the memories of his medical education and the initial days of his career. He recollected, “I graduated from Grant Medical College, where I also did my post graduation studies in internal medicine. During those days, I was working under Dr Noshir H Wadia who was also my teacher and my role model. Dr Wadia and Dr RV Sathe really groomed me and got me interested in the field of neurology. So after completing my studies I went to England and started working in the neuro department and finally I was selected as a resident neurologist associated with the Institute of Neurology at England, which was the mecca for neurology at that time. There I got further training in treating and caring for the patients after which I returned to India in 1962 and was very lucky to be appointed at the Grant Medical College as a Honourary Doctor for Neurology. I also worked at the JJ Group of Hospitals and the Bombay Hospital. I have spent 50 years at Bombay Hospital which I regard as the most precious years of my career. As I continue to work at the Bombay Hospital I feel that my learning period is still on.”
More like a friend..
Knowledge, attitude and skill is the triad, which define a good doctor and Dr Singhal possesses each of these attributes. This became very clear when Dr Singhal shared few incidences which helped him grow as a specialist in neurology. He said, “What I enjoy most is listening to the patients. I don’t like to interrupt them when they talk and I like to keep my eye contact with them. This makes them feel at ease when they are with me. Patients should not feel that they are visiting a doctor; instead they should feel that they are visiting a friend who is there to help them in times of need. When my patients find their comfort, I feel very satisfied.” So, this is how Dr Singhal builds an amiable relationship with his patients, where he treats them just like a friend and help them find comfort in sharing their difficulties with him.
For the love for teaching
Taking the conversation forward, he shared his experience as a teacher. He is acknowledged to be an excellent teacher. People say that he is among those teachers who act as a bridge over which their students can cross and after having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapses, encouraging them to create bridges of their own. So I asked him how he feels about being a teacher and how would he define the role of a teacher. He reciprocated, “I love teaching. Teaching plays a very important part of my life. For me, teaching is like learning. When I prepare myself to give a lecture I spend a lot of time doing research based on the topic so this helps me update my knowledge as well. Moreover, students these days pose different kinds of questions related to neurology and this keeps me on my toes. I have to keep reading a lot for this reason.”
A family man too..
We then spoke about his family. Interestingly, Dr Singhal comes from a family of doctors. His wife, Dr Asha Singhal is a renowned gynaecologist working with the Bombay Hospital. Their daughter, Dr Seema Singhal is an expert in Multiple Myeloma and is responsible for changing the treatment for this disease by introducing thalidomide. She is currently working as the Professor of Oncologist at the North Western University in Chicago. Her husband, who is also a physician, has worked along with her to conduct research in myeloma. Dr Singhal’s son, Dr Anish Singhal is currently the Associate Prof of Neurology at the Howard University and specialises in the field of stroke management. Dr Singhal is very happy that his children have also chosen a vocation that will help people deal with difficult medical conditions.
He is a proud father when he delightfully informs about his son’s vision for India. He says that his son has initiated a collaborative programme with five institutions of India in order to promote treatment for stroke. This collaboration is done between National Institute of Health, US and the Government of India. While Dr Singhal was speaking about his family, his love and pride in them was quite evident. Indeed, Dr Singhal is very close to his family.
He then spoke about the most inspiring person in his life- his mother. He has great reverence for her and says that his mother has been the wind beneath his wings. He recalls the time he spent with her and says, “I lost my father when I was very young and my mother raised me up single-handedly. She gave the encouragement I required to become what I am today. She had a heart of gold indeed. Even when I made my choice to travel to Mumbai and London to seek further education, she acceded to my will. As our talk became a bit emotive, we quickly moved to discussing his hobbies.
The other side of him
Dr Singhal is an avid traveller. He loves to see the world. He is also a people’s person and does take time off from his busy schedule to socialise. But when is not travelling or socialising you will find him reading a book. His favourite reads include autobiographies of scientists and famous personalities such as the former presidents of various countries. On a lighter note he prefers to read fiction.
Engrossed in knowing about the multiple facets of Dr Singhal’s intriguing personality, I didn’t realise that quite some time had elapsed and now I had to bid adieu. Though disappointed at having to culminate our interesting conversation, I was also happy at having met an interesting personality who was was not only an expert neurologist whose aim is to heal a diseased body, but also a good social being whose practice contributes to the betterment of the afflicted.