Doctor, what made you decide on cardiology as a specialisation?

As a child, I have watched my mother suffer from severe bronchial asthma, and we would keep waiting helplessly for the doctor to be fetched. So, while my siblings were engineers and physicists, I decided to do my MD in bronchial asthma. Later, I found it frustrating because not much progress has been made in this field over the years. At that stage, I felt cardiology was the most demanding subject, and life-saving too.

Did you ever face sexual discrimination?

Oh. lots of it. In fact, the Chief of Cardiology at Christian Medical College, Vellore, told me bluntly when I applied --``Why waste a seat on a lady when she will not practise either practically orseriously?'' That made me really angry, and more determined, and I eventually did my cardiology from Apollo, Madras. Colleagues would think that as a lady, I will not be serious about my profession. Or that my professional and academic decisions may not be right. It even percolates to referring patients -- male physicians feel degraded to refer patients to me as a lady, because of their own ego problem. Although I must say that my seniors are more broad-minded; that could be because I have now proved myself.

So you are effectively saying that this is a competitive field?

It's a very competitive field. You have to get - and be able to keep -- your patients yourself. I advertise in the newspaper, travel to Warangal, Kurnool, Nanded, once a month or so. I even go to Nagpur and Jabalpur (where I hail from) and fortunately I now have patients coming to me from there.

Are there any professional hazards in your work?

Yes, we are constantly exposed to radiation due to X-rays - we work a lot inthe catheterising labs. I developed hypo thyroid probably due to this, although we do wear protection collars. The then head of the Cardiology department at Apollo warned me that I would not be able to have more children for the fear of any disabilities. His first child was born deaf and dumb. However, we are talking of 1975-80 when conditions in the labs were more primitive. Now, we are supposed to wear protection suits, helmets, gloves etc.

But you obviously went ahead with your decision. What did your husband have to say about that?

He was very supportive. He himself is a neurologist -- we are childhood friends and all through school and medical college we competed for the first rank. See, I have one son, so I do have a full family life, as well as a full academic career, and, at the same time, I am giving back to society. So, life is fulfilling.

What are the pros and cons of your profession?

Well, the plus point is the cent per cent satisfaction. When it comes to personal touch, orexplaining grim facts to patients, women are softer, tender, and more sincere. The male doctor is guided by statistics like - who did the maximum number of operations?-- But who will take care of the quality factor? The financial angle is better, in fact very good, abroad, but the sexual discrimination is everywhere. Japan is the worst work-wise in this context.

Finally, doctor, would you recommend cardiology as a specialisation career for other women GPs?

Oh, I would advise this 200 per cent. What I will say is -- prove yourself work-wise, and automatically you will get recognition. Women tend to give up at a certain point because we are conditioned to feel small and inferior.