RECKONED TO BE THE FIRST PEDIATRICIAN AT PGI AS WELL AS IN CHANDIGARH, DR O.N BHAKOO TALKS ABOUT WHAT INSPIRED HIM TO TAKE THE PLUNGE, THE MAJOR CHALLENGES THAT HE HAD TO ENCOUNTER AND LOTS MORE!
mD in Pediatrics from AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr O.N Bhakoo is known as the father of Neonatology. He completed training in Neonatology at Hammersmith Hospital, London and McMaster University, Canada. He is a lifetime member of Indian Academy of Pediatrics and National Neonatal Forum of India.
With 59 years of experience, Dr Bhakoo is presently serving as a Director Pediatrics at Paras Bliss Hospital, MDC, Panchkula.
You are reckoned to be the first Pediatrician at PGI as well as in Chandigarh. What inspired you to take this plunge?
When I entered this profession, there were not many qualified doctors who were looking after children. There was a great requirement of a pediatrician in the society. So, I decided to take the plunge and once I started working, I liked it thoroughly.
What were the major challenges that you had to face initially? How did you overcome them?
The first challenge was to make adult physicians realize that children are not half or quarter adults; they are different from adults in their diseases and management.
The next challenge was to make pediatricians realize that care of the newborn babies can be done with available expertise in the absence of imported equipment. I deglamorized neonatal care by fabricating simple neonatal equipment.
I also faced various hindrances while organizing pediatricians interested in neonatal care in a national body called National Neonatology forum which today is not only the advisory to the government of India but also recognized by UNICEF, for its contribution.
I started the first DM in neonatology course in India, and was the first DM program in any speciality of pediatrics and I was able to overcome the hurdles through the active cooperation of my colleagues, not only from paediatrics but also from other departments.
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