Yes! this is astonishing, but a true-life tale of Dr Ananda Kumar MBBS, MS, FRCSEd DLS (France), MD (Liver Transplant), FSGE (NIMS), FIAGES, FLCS, renowned Surgical Gastroenterologist, Chairman & Founder of Ananya Hospitals, Hyderabad. HealthBuzz is taking pride in presenting Dr Ananda Kumar, as the “Guest of Honor” for the month of May 2023. Dr Ananda Kumar, appears simple but is an expert in clearing complex medical problems, very soft on words but very hard on diseases. He never believes in giving false assurances but has made impossible, possible in many instances. His work is committed with compassion because he says, I am not repairing a lifeless machine, I am dealing with the life of a desperate person who wants to live.

What is the take home message for your life? Dr Ananda Kumar: You cannot change the final destiny! but God will always create opportunities to better your path of living. You have been created for a purpose and your existence matters beyond your family. Depending upon your abilities or ambitions you should responsibly contribute to some good work for the people and for the society.

Can we ask the reason for such philosophy? Dr Ananda Kumar: My life itself is an example for this. I hail from a very small village harboring 25 families, near Hindupur, in the borders of AP and Karnataka. My father was a marginal farmer and already father of 5 children when my mother became pregnant for the 6th child. During that period my father became severely ill, was almost bed ridden and started worrying for the future of his wife and my 5 siblings. Prior to few days of my birth, he has taken a shocking decision of eliminating me upon my birth, so that I will not be a burden for the rest of my family. He even convinced my mother and his sister and the Aya who was to assist during the delivery. One day, my mother suddenly developed labour pains and in the home, there was only my father to help her. Then I was born in his hands like a miracle. At that very moment, he abandoned the idea of killing me, apologized god for his cruel thought and prayed for my survival. My mother narrated this incident many times and the reason for my name being Anand Kumar. As few days passed, my father recovered both health and finance wise and started showing special affection towards me believing that I was their lucky star. During those days when all my family members used to eat Jonna (Jowari), I was specially fed with rice. When you think of all this and come across similar incidences, it’s evident that there is purpose for our existence.

How did you got interested in Medicine? Dr Ananda Kumar: My father had only one ambition in his life, he wanted all of us to study well. He was not interested in acquiring wealth or lands. As I told you our village was a remote and small place. Nearest Primary school was at a distance of 4 Kms, Middle school was at 7 and high school was around 10 Kms away. But he used to insist our presence in the school every day. Me along with my brothers and sisters used to walk all the way to school and return. I still remember, during the rains, we all used to keep our school bags on the head and run thru those soil roads. After 10th class one day my father called me and told that one of us has to become a doctor from our family, and since all others missed that opportunity, I was the only one left to fulfill it. Then he commanded that If I am not to prepared to become a doctor, he would make me to take care of our cattle, no further studies. I had no choice. Then my third brother who was 9 years elder to me came forward and told that he will take up the financial responsibility for my education. I studied well and got a free seat in Bangalore Medical College, graduated and then got Masters in General Surgery also from the same institution.

 From General Surgery how did you move into Gastroenterology? Dr Ananda Kumar: During my Masters, I had the opportunity to assist the eminent surgical oncologist of South India, Prof. M. Chandrashekar of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore. While it was a great experience, somehow, I was not comfortable with Onco surgeries. So, I left for UK and completed FRCSED from the famed Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. After returning joined NIMS and completed a fellowship in Surgical Gastroenterology in 2002 and worked as faculty in the department of surgical gastroenterology at NIMS till September 2006. Then I joined Yashoda Hospitals as surgical gastroenterologist and HBP surgeon. I have completed Diploma in Laparoscopic Surgery from the prestigious Strasberg University and IRCAD, France and went to South Korea to earn MD (Liver Transplant) fellowship at Seoul National University Hospital in 2011. I also got trained in the Bariatric Surgery In U.S.

What is the motto of your Ananya Hospital? Dr Ananda Kumar: Healthcare costs are snowballing day by day and they have almost crossed the financial capabilities of common man. While super specialty hospitals are successfully catering the needs of affluent class, I felt that there is substantial need of a mid-sized hospital incorporating different specialties with affordable costing. After consulting with few specialist doctors, we have started Ananya Hospital, with State-of-the-art Technology equipment, good facilities & exceptionally caring friendly staff. Apart from Gastro we also have Gen Surgery, Gynae, Pediatrics, Ortho, Vascular Surgery and Plastic Surgery departments too.

Tell us something about your specialty ie Gastroenterology? Dr Ananda Kumar: Gastroenterology is the study of the normal function and diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver. A Gastroenterologist will have a clear understanding of ailments affecting these organs, their implications on the body and the provide treatment in case of problems in these areas. 4 out of every 10 adults in the world suffer from functional gastrointestinal disorders of varying severity. The common symptoms can be heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion, constipation, abdominal distension or bloating to bleeding. A Gastroenterologist treat many diseases like peptic ulcer disease, gastric disorders, pancreatitis, gallbladder stones, IBS, nutritional problems and malabsorption and a host of other disease conditions including cancers.

What is the best way to protect health related to your specialty, ie Gastroenterology related organs? Dr Ananda Kumar: (laughs) We all are internally interconnected, you cannot relate health or well-being only to one organ or one system. Health is a combination of all the organs working with others in an orderly and pre arranged style. However few steps can avert them from damage. Preventive healthcare in gastroenterology is important for maintaining good digestive health and preventing digestive disorders. A healthy diet, regular exercise, staying hydrated, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and regular screening can all help promote good digestive health. Getting screened for further information is important when face a for digestive disorder to detect conditions early when they are more easily treatable.