Dr. Prabhakar A.
Director & Chief Nephrologist
Dr. Prabhakar is a leading expert in the fields of emergency nephrology, dialysis for both adults and children, kidney transplantation and other forms of interventional and Preventive nephrology. Numerous patients' lives have been saved because of his focus on critical care nephrology and kidney transplantation. In addition, the American Association of interventional Nephrology has acknowledged Dr.Prabhakar's expertise in the field of nephrology intervention. Below is an excerpt of Dr. Prabhakar’s exclusive interaction with CEOInsights magazine.
What inspired you to venture into the
Nephrology segment?
Following my Postgraduate admission preparation I chose M.D. in General Medicine at Madurai Medical College, where I was mentored by the eminent Prof. Dr. Ayyapan. When it comes to professional morality, he is an inspiration to me. Even when we worked in a public hospital, we were known for providing treatment on par with or beyond that offered by private facilities. There, I was able to
acquire not just medical training, but also a grounding in the principles and practices of the medical profession. After finishing my M.D. in general medicine, I couldn't decide whether to immediately begin practicing medicine or pursue more training in a specialty. There, the head of the medical department suggested that I go into super specialization. Then what option must be picked? Nephrology is the only subspecialty where you never lose contact with your primary care roots. In nephrology, for example, many conditions are fully treatable if caught and treated quickly enough. This is why I've decided to get into that particular Speciality.
My former nephrology chief, who was always spot on with his diagnosis and treatments, was another guiding light for me in this field.
Define Kongunad Kidney Centre as an organization and how is it different from other Nephrology hospitals present in the country?
On February 7th, 2016, the Kongunad Kidney Centre opened its doors, not as a for profit operation but out of pure compassion. The hospital is a regional leader in the field of kidney treatment and is considered a super specialty facility.My brother is a Urologist. As a result, we've joined together to launch a venture based on our shared interests. This establishment prioritizes the health of its patients before financial gain. Care fees are so low that even the impoverished may afford them. And many impoverished people's lives were spared by the provision of our free permanent catheter insertions. The primary advantage that Kongunad Kidney Centre offers is having just one point of contact while yet benefiting from the input of specialists in other fields.
Reflect on some of the major challenges you have experienced in
The primary advantage that Kongunad Kidney Centre offers is, having just one point of contact while yet benefiting from the input of specialists in other fields
My former nephrology chief, who was always spot on with his diagnosis and treatments, was another guiding light for me in this field.
Define Kongunad Kidney Centre as an organization and how is it different from other Nephrology hospitals present in the country?
On February 7th, 2016, the Kongunad Kidney Centre opened its doors, not as a for profit operation but out of pure compassion. The hospital is a regional leader in the field of kidney treatment and is considered a super specialty facility.My brother is a Urologist. As a result, we've joined together to launch a venture based on our shared interests. This establishment prioritizes the health of its patients before financial gain. Care fees are so low that even the impoverished may afford them. And many impoverished people's lives were spared by the provision of our free permanent catheter insertions. The primary advantage that Kongunad Kidney Centre offers is having just one point of contact while yet benefiting from the input of specialists in other fields.
Reflect on some of the major challenges you have experienced in
your journey so far. How did you overcome them and what did you learn from them?
The most challenging aspect of leading a new unit has been recruiting qualified junior physicians and staff nurses. After 6-12 months of training with me, they will leave to another medical facility. The major obstacle I have had to overcome is keeping the trained workforce in place. Then slowly I recognized the skilled manpower and kept them. The second obstacle is gaining the trust of the patients. I had a great reputation in Madurai, but I had to work hard to win over patients in Coimbatore after transferring from there. Do the work and don't worry about the outcome that's the advice I took from the Bhagavad Gita. The patients eventually came to appreciate my efforts and began to trust me. If there is ever an urgent situation, I will be here to handle it myself around the clock. For me, patients reign supreme.
What is the current position of India in terms of providing eminent Nephrology treatment facilities at a global level? What more can we expect from this segment in the future?
In the field of nephrology, India has been making great strides. Since nephrology services in many SAARC nations are subpar, I am seeing an influx of patients from places like Bangladesh and the Maldives. As a means of addressing global organ scarcity, artificial kidneys are among the soonest to be developed alternatives. Another major step forward will be reached in the not too distant future, and that is the successful use of stem cell therapy to treat renal failure.
Dr. Prabhakar A., Director And Chief Nephrologist, Kongunad Kidney Centre
Dr. Prabhakar began his career in medicine in 2000 after completing his M.B.B.S. from Thanjavur Medical College. He is an authority in the fields of critical care nephrology, adult and pediatric dialysis, interventional nephrology, preventive nephrology, and renal transplantation.Dr. Prabhakar's proficiency in interventional nephrology, critical care nephrology, and renal transplantation undoubtedly aided in his case management and ultimately resulted in the saving of many patients' lives.
The most challenging aspect of leading a new unit has been recruiting qualified junior physicians and staff nurses. After 6-12 months of training with me, they will leave to another medical facility. The major obstacle I have had to overcome is keeping the trained workforce in place. Then slowly I recognized the skilled manpower and kept them. The second obstacle is gaining the trust of the patients. I had a great reputation in Madurai, but I had to work hard to win over patients in Coimbatore after transferring from there. Do the work and don't worry about the outcome that's the advice I took from the Bhagavad Gita. The patients eventually came to appreciate my efforts and began to trust me. If there is ever an urgent situation, I will be here to handle it myself around the clock. For me, patients reign supreme.
What is the current position of India in terms of providing eminent Nephrology treatment facilities at a global level? What more can we expect from this segment in the future?
In the field of nephrology, India has been making great strides. Since nephrology services in many SAARC nations are subpar, I am seeing an influx of patients from places like Bangladesh and the Maldives. As a means of addressing global organ scarcity, artificial kidneys are among the soonest to be developed alternatives. Another major step forward will be reached in the not too distant future, and that is the successful use of stem cell therapy to treat renal failure.
Dr. Prabhakar A., Director And Chief Nephrologist, Kongunad Kidney Centre
Dr. Prabhakar began his career in medicine in 2000 after completing his M.B.B.S. from Thanjavur Medical College. He is an authority in the fields of critical care nephrology, adult and pediatric dialysis, interventional nephrology, preventive nephrology, and renal transplantation.Dr. Prabhakar's proficiency in interventional nephrology, critical care nephrology, and renal transplantation undoubtedly aided in his case management and ultimately resulted in the saving of many patients' lives.