Q. Tell us a bit about your yourself, including your educational background and what inspired you to pursue a career in surgery?

My name is Padma Deskit. I was born in Leh. I completed my MBBS from Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi
and pursued my postgraduation in surgery from Government Medical College, Jammu. I have been working as a senior consultant surgeon at SNM Hospital Leh for the past 18 years. My father was a doctor and my mother also worked in the health department. Surgery as a career for women in those days was not common. It was my father who sowed the seed of my love for this speciality and later while studying at Lady Hardinge Medical College, seeing the confident surgeons handle various life-threatening trauma and abdominal emergencies I realised that I needed to follow this stream.

Q. Could you share some of the experiences and challenges you have encountered in your profession?

Every day is a challenge for a surgeon, no matter where he or she is working. But working in Ladakh means facing double the challenges due to the resource-limited setting, especially during my initial years.

Q. Tell us about some of the major surgeries you have performed so far.

I have performed several major surgeries, including saving a 4-month-old baby with large segment intussusception after a successful right hemicolectomy, performing scalp reconstruction on a young engineer during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, where both the patient and I shed tears of happiness upon seeing the result, and saving the limb of a Nepali laborer after vascular repair, among many others.

Q. Tell us about the research papers you’ve written and published.

I have been involved in several research projects. I collaborated with DIPAS (Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences) on a study investigating the feasibility of using a blood marker called BNP to predict high altitude-related conditions. I also did a study on emergency care at SNM Hospital, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health at AIIMS Jodhpur, as part of my training in Public Health Policy and Health Management. I was also selected as the principal investigator in a hospital-based cancer registry project in collaboration with ICMR-NCDIR. I recently reviewed an article for the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, a publication by Elsevier.

Q. You were awarded a scholarship by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2017. Could you tell us about the program and how it helped you upon your return to Ladakh?

The program was designed to train surgeons in regions facing armed conflicts, such as Syria and Afghanistan. I presented a paper at the International Conference of the Red Cross. One of the tutors from the Royal College was in the audience, who thought I could be a potential candidate. Following several rounds of telephone interviews and background checks, I was awarded the scholarship. After completing the training, I applied the skills acquired to handle various complex trauma cases in Leh.

Q. Since you are the first female surgeon of Ladakh, what impact do you hope to have on your community and beyond?

Thankfully Ladakhi society is very unique unlike the rest of India, girls are given equal opportunities in all spheres of life. But lately, I have realized that there do exist some glass ceilings which are yet to be broken. I hope the coming generation of females will break those barriers as well and make a name for themselves and Ladakh not only in India but in the entire world.

Q.What advice would you give to young girls and boys who want to pursue a career in medicine?

I would like to advise all the young boys and girls who wish to pursue a career in medicine that unless you are motivated and inspired to become a doctor it becomes tough to pursue medicine as it is a very long journey and you are a student all your life. Unlike other professions, you get settled only in your 30s. For a girl, balancing home,
kids and profession is challenging, but if you love your job then the journey becomes easier.

Q. How do you envision the future of healthcare in Ladakh?

One of the best things about the Ladakhi healthcare system at this point is that there is no corporate or private player, so health care is still affordable and accessible. But in recent times, there have been many instances where doctors have been shamed and defamed on social media for no fault of theirs,which demoralizes them. People who criticise the doctor should shadow a doctor for one day to realize the difficulties and constraints that one faces given the absenc of super speciality care and advanced care. Our hospital has equal gender representation in all specialities. I hope that the coming of the medical college will bring all
super-speciality care to Leh.

Q. Are there specific medical issues or concerns in Ladakh that you are particularly passionate about addressing?

The burden of cancer in Ladakh is increasing day by day. I am very passionate about addressing this concern by raising awareness among the masses so that the disease is detected and diagnosed at an initial curable stage. I am committed to advancing my skills to provide optimal surgical care to cancer patients.

Q. How do you manage medical emergencies in remote areas? How do you maintain a balance between your professional responsibilities and personal life?

Managing a medical emergency in any remote area is always a challenge. All medical emergencies are a race against time. Having said that, timely care is possible only if we have dedicated emergency medical services( EMS) like heli evacuation routes staffed with trained pre-hospital caregivers. Regarding managing my work-life balance, I would say my family is my biggest support, especially my mother, who inspires me to work harder every day, and my husband, who is my greatest strength.

Message to the Readers

Building a healthy society with a strong public healthcare system is very important. It is all about making sure everyone has access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their background or income. By investing in healthcare infrastructure, promoting preventive care, and ensuring affordable healthcare for all, we can create a society where everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.