A Doctor's Experiments in Bihar

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A doctor who leaves behind security to work in Bihar is a rare and commendable figure. This account details her experiences and the challenges of improving a mismanaged medical system, particularly in maternal and child healthcare, which has long suffered from neglect in India. With the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality in Bihar, Dr. Taru Jindal, a gynaecologist from Mumbai, took on the task of training obstetricians in essential skills at a district hospital. However, she encountered alarming issues: doctors neglecting pregnant women, inadequate medical supplies, overcrowded operation theatres, and biomedical waste near the labour room. This troubling pattern continued in the isolated village of Masarhi, where access to healthcare made villagers skeptical of a doctor who prescribed blood tests and used forceps for deliveries. Caste dynamics further complicated her efforts, as upper-caste villagers avoided her in segregated communities. Over her two years in Bihar, Dr. Taru engaged with local communities, counseling mothers and adolescent girls on reproductive health and addressing malnutrition. She also worked with hospital officials to empower local women and nurses in basic healthcare. This gripping narrative highlights how dedicated individuals can drive significant change through perseverance and compassion.