92-Year-Old Doctor Continues Performing Surgeries with Nearly 70 Years of Experience

Who among the doctors you have met so far would have had the most experience?

What could be your answer to this question? 30 years, 40 years, or 50 years?

But, have you ever met a doctor who has about 70 years of experience? Probably not...

The doctor I met has been providing medical services for over 68 years after completing her MBBS.

She is Dr. Suri Srimathi, who lives in Hyderabad. Even at the age of 92, she is continuously performing operations.

Suri Srimathi started her career after obtaining her MBBS degree in 1958. Even today, she examines patients every day with full vigor and enthusiasm.

She also performs Cesarean deliveries (delivery through surgery) when needed. She provides medical services just like any young doctor.

At an age when many people find it difficult to walk and perform daily tasks, she not only holds a stethoscope but also performs surgery with full confidence to treat patients.

Dr. Suri Srimathi drives herself to the hospital. Even at the age of 92, her memory is very sharp and her hands do not tremble.

I asked her if her hands tremble while operating. She replied, 'They don't.'

Then she said, 'Look at this, you can see my hands yourself...' Saying this, she showed me her hands.

Dr. Suri Srimathi said that she remembers the names of medicines well, just like other doctors.

• Doctor treating three generations

Dr. Suri Srimathi's associate, Dr. Rajani Kumari, told the BBC, 'Her hands never tremble. Our hands might tremble, but her hands remain completely steady.'

She said, 'Yoga, meditation, balanced diet, unwavering dedication to her profession, stress-free nature, and disciplined lifestyle are the reasons for this. She can work continuously for many hours without regard for sleep.'

Dr. Suri Srimathi has the special honor of delivering babies for three generations of the same family, namely grandmother, mother, and daughter.

Dr. Srimathi says, 'Many people show me pictures from their childhood. And say, you were the one who delivered me.'

Her patient, Tulsi, became emotional when Dr. Srimathi was discussed. Sharing her experience with the BBC, she said, 'She listens to patients' problems very patiently. She responds without getting annoyed whenever called, 24 hours a day.'

'When I first saw her, I was a little scared. I wondered if a doctor of such an advanced age could perform a Cesarean operation properly.'

'But as time went by, I heard good experiences from other patients. I also saw how well she takes care of us. After this, my fear completely disappeared and my confidence grew.'

'Of course, she has assistants during the operation, but she herself plays the most important role.'

'During my third delivery, an emergency situation suddenly arose. As soon as she received this news, she immediately reached the hospital without even drinking tea.'

'She did not eat until my delivery was completed. Only after ensuring the safety of the mother and child did she go to eat.'

The medical field is changing very rapidly. New medicines, research results, and new testing methods are constantly emerging. In such an environment, Dr. Suri Srimathi always keeps herself updated.

She said, 'I attend medical conferences and meetings. Besides, I also read medical articles and research journals. When medical representatives talk about new medicines, I get the latest information related to them.'

Gynecologist Dr. Rajani Kumari, who operates with Dr. Srimathi, said, 'Even today, she is continuously learning about the new advancements happening in this field. When any new technology comes, she tries to understand it well.'

She further added, 'She gives ample time to every patient. She answers all questions patiently and never gets irritated.'

• As a government doctor...

Dr. Suri Srimathi received her MBBS degree from Osmania University in 1958.

After that, she worked as a government doctor for some time. Then she obtained an MD degree in Gynecology and Obstetrics. After that, she provided medical services in Hyderabad for a long time.

Recalling her initial job, she said, 'After completing MBBS, I became a doctor at a hospital in Sangareddy. The first case that came before me was of a girl aged 13 or 14.'

'She came to me with her mother. Her mother said, my daughter is pregnant, please examine her. When I examined her, I was shocked. The girl was eight months pregnant. This was the first medical case of my career.'

She further says, 'I performed a Cesarean operation after giving anesthesia. There was no other doctor in that hospital, so I had to fulfill all three responsibilities: surgeon, anesthesia specialist, and pediatrician.'

Today, Dr. Srimathi is providing private medical services from her own home in Hyderabad. She charges a fee of 300 rupees for examining patients in the OPD. However, she said that she does not charge any money from those who cannot afford the fee.

She said, 'For me, this is not just about earning. I have earned a decent living without harming anyone. That satisfaction is the biggest thing for me.'

However, Dr. Srimathi is gradually reducing the number of Cesarean operations she performs. Other gynecologists are also present to assist her during these surgeries. But, she said that she still performs the main procedure of the operation herself.

• What do associate doctors say about Dr. Srimathi?

Dr. Rajani Kumari told the BBC, 'I joined Madam as a Senior House Surgeon in 1986. I have been working with her ever since.'

She said, 'She taught me how to perform surgery. She is my guru. No matter how busy I am in big hospitals, I always prioritize Dr. Srimathi's patients. As long as both of us are working, this will continue.'

When Dr. Srimathi was asked about the changes in surgical techniques over the last seven decades, she said, 'The operation techniques, suturing materials, and anesthesia methods have all changed a lot.'

She said, 'I have changed with time and learned new techniques.'

Dr. Rajani Kumari recalled, 'Patients have a lot of faith in her. She did excellent work even at a time when basic facilities were not available.'

She further added, 'There was a time when we used to conduct about 120 deliveries of pregnant women every month, most of whom came from underdeveloped rural areas.'

'People come to her not only because of her medical expertise but also because of her behavior and way of communication.'

When Dr. Srimathi was asked 'Why did you choose medicine as your profession?', she gave an interesting answer.

She said, 'In those days, children studied what their parents wanted. My father wanted me to become a doctor, so I studied medicine.'

'There was no entrance exam at that time. Admission was based solely on marks.'

She said with a smile, 'Actually, I wanted to become a pediatrician. But all my friends chose Obstetrics and Gynecology. So I also went into that field with them.'

Dr. Srimathi did not get married. When asked the reason for this, she replied very casually, 'It just didn't happen.'

After that, she didn't say anything more on this topic.

• What did Dr. Srimathi say about not getting married?

Dr. Srimathi's youngest brother, Suri Ramnath Shastri, is 19 years younger than her. Ramnath told the BBC, 'Ever since I can remember, I have only seen my sister as a doctor. Many patients used to come to her, and she used to treat them.'

Shastri is a retired professor, and his sister Srimathi lives with her family in their ancestral home. He said about his sister, 'She did not have a fixed time for treatment. Whenever anyone needed help, she was ready.'

Giving advice to young people who want to enter the medical field, Dr. Srimathi said, 'If you focus on increasing your knowledge, success and prosperity will come to you on their own.'

She said, 'Don't chase fees and earnings. Serve honestly, and everything else will fall into place.'

When asked 'How would you describe this long medical journey in one word?', she replied, 'Happiness and self-satisfaction.'

Regarding his sister's activity, Ramnath Shastri says, 'I don't want my sister to work so hard at this age, but I can't ask her to stop working.'

He said, 'I don't have the courage to tell my sister to stop working. Her energy and dedication are truly amazing. People come to her for treatment in emergencies, so how can I tell her not to treat that patient?'

Dr. Srimathi was asked, 'Nowadays people all over the world are talking about retiring early, but why are you still working even after crossing the age of 90?'

To this, she replied with a smile, 'As long as God gives me strength, I will keep working.'

Then she concluded her point with a question, 'When we don't stop eating and resting, why should we stop working?'

• The secret to Dr. Srimathi's health

Dr. Srimathi said, 'I wake up early every morning, do yoga and pranayama. Sometimes I also watch TV.'

Dr. Srimathi also gives some tips for staying healthy.

She says, 'Any food that is easily digestible can be eaten. Fried or roasted food is good for taste only, not for the body.'

She emphasizes the importance of eating and sleeping on time. She said, 'In our time, due to outdoor sports, household chores, and activities like making rangoli, we used to get plenty of sunlight.'

Vitamin D and calcium are very important for good health, but nowadays people don't want to walk at all.

Published by Collective Newsroom for BBC.