Mumbai ENT surgeon, 100+, examined by doctor he operated on as a child 50 years ago
Dr A.C. Johari, who has practised in Mumbai for about six decades, was examined at Jaslok Hospital by Dr Divya Prabhat, whose childhood sinus surgery he performed.
A senior ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon, aged over 100, went to Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai recently for treatment of a throat complaint, and the visit is being talked about in the hospital. Dr A.C. Johari has served patients in Mumbai for about six decades and has treated thousands of them. This time he was the patient.
Dr Johari had a persistent burning sensation in his throat, a feeling that something was stuck there, and great difficulty swallowing food. Given his age and these symptoms, worry about a serious illness was natural. A video laryngoscopy was therefore done at the hospital's ENT outpatient department.
The examination showed a small pouch-like structure in the throat. According to the hospital, this is a normal condition and the examination showed no sign of any serious or dangerous disease. Dr Johari and his family were greatly relieved. After the report, he has been advised medicines only.
The most interesting part was that the doctor who carried out the examination was Dr Divya Prabhat, ENT surgery consultant at Jaslok Hospital. About 50 years ago, Dr Johari had performed a successful sinus surgery on Divya Prabhat when she was a child. The girl grew up to become an ENT surgeon and made a name for herself in the medical world. Now Dr Johari sat before her as a patient.
Dr Divya Prabhat said: "When an experienced ENT surgeon like Dr Johari sees such symptoms, it is natural to worry about a serious illness. The video laryngoscopy made the picture clear at once, and when it turned out that the condition was normal, it was deeply satisfying for me to see the joy on his face. To get the chance to help treat the doctor who treated me 50 years ago is a great privilege and a unique experience for me."
Dr A.C. Johari described his experience: "After spending my whole life serving patients, when I felt these symptoms myself, I too wanted to know what was happening. The laryngoscopy assured me that there was no serious illness. Being examined by the doctor whom I had treated five decades ago was a wonderful experience. The world of medicine brings us to such coincidences by unexpected paths."
Jitendra Hariyan, CEO of Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, said: "Healthcare rests on trust. It is a special honour for us that a doctor who devoted his whole life to serving patients places the same trust in our doctors. In a way, Dr Johari's journey completes his medical career. However experienced we are as doctors, as patients we put clear information, empathy and trust above all else in treatment, and this episode is a reminder of that."
