Dr. Pankaj Kumar of Fortis Hospital authors ‘At the Horizon of Life & Death’- bringing into focus the relationship between doctors and patients, who are facing death
A 300-page book comprising of 20 fictional short stories, is a tribute to all frontline workers who have spent the last one-and-a-half years fighting the Covid pandemic.
New Delhi: In commemoration of doctors across the country, the book, ‘At the Horizon of Life & Death’, authored by Dr Pankaj Kumar, Director Critical Care, Fortis Shalimar Bagh was released. At 300 pages, it is a compilation of 20 short stories (fictional in nature) which reflect the sensitivities involved in dealing with patients facing death, capturing significant moments in the treatment trajectory of critical patients.
The book, through its protagonist Dr Anand, aims to create awareness regarding pertinent issues faced by the medical professionals – demoralization, expensive medical education, the extreme pressure and suicidal ideation, the plight of the nurses and support staff, assaults and violence and the medico-legal intricacies involved in day-to-day practice. The author has written in an easy-to-read manner with the objective of providing an insight into the doctors’ dilemmas and predicaments in critical situations and also guiding aspiring doctors to make well-informed career decisions.
Dr Pankaj Kumar, Director Critical Care, Fortis Shalimar Bagh said, “The stories span from Dr Anand’s initial days in the emergency room and capture his struggles in complex medico-legal scenarios over the next four decades. This book has been based on fictional narratives with an intention to bring to the forefront the real issues and hardships that doctors in the country have faced. I am hopeful that this book will serve its purpose – bringing back focus on the treatment of the patient as opposed to the mistrust, legal frameworks and policies surrounding the healthcare practice.”
Mr. Mahipal Singh Bhanot, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh said, “The pandemic brought with it a lot of uncertainties and amid that our hospital strived to provide the best possible treatment to all the patients. Our doctors and staff have been working tirelessly and I am extremely proud of them. Dr. Pankaj’s book is relevant now more than ever and we cannot stress enough on the importance of understanding the lesser-known nuances of the healthcare field. We salute all doctors for their continued unrelenting service to the country amid the COVID 19 pandemic.”
About Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh
Fortis Shalimar Bagh is a multispecialty tertiary care hospital with 262 beds. It is NABH, NABL accredited, Green OT certified and NABH Nursing Excellence Certified. FHSB distinguishes itself by providing excellent clinical care coupled with distinctive service experience to the community it serves. It is equipped with the latest medical technologies such as VERS HD – Elektra (Linac) for Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, Stereotactic Radiotherapy, Brachytherapy, Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) & Endo Bronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), Capsule Endoscopy, 3D Laparoscopic system, Fibro Scan, Stereotactic Frame for Neurosurgery, Flat Panel Cath Lab, 100-Watt Holmium Laser I Flexible Ureteroscope I Lithotripsy & PET-CT. It provides 24*7 ambulance, blood bank, emergency, laboratory, pharmacy and radiology services.