On December 30, 2025, while travelling to my office, as on any other working day, I became the victim of a road accident in Dhaka which severely injured my left knee. Later, following the advice of colleagues, well-wishers, and family members, I decided to seek advanced medical treatment in India.
My consultation with Dr Atul Srivastava was one of the most reassuring moments of my treatment journey. He listened patiently to my concerns, carefully reviewed the required medical examinations, and recommended ligament reconstruction surgery. Under his supervision, the surgery was successfully completed. Beyond being a highly skilled surgeon, I found him to be a compassionate and empathetic human being.
Even after the surgery, he continued to provide regular guidance, precautions, and rehabilitation-related advice, all of which significantly contributed to my recovery. What stood out most was the importance he placed not only on medical treatment, but also on my mental well-being, anxieties, and confidence.
This patient-centred approach was clearly reflected in both his behaviour and medical practice.
On April 8, I was admitted to Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Howrah. From the admission process to the preparation for surgery, every step was highly organized, modern, and professional. One aspect that particularly impressed me was the comprehensive pre-operative assessment conducted by the anesthesiology team before the hospital admission. In many hospitals across South Asia, patients often experience admission procedures where administrative and financial formalities receive greater attention than patient communication. In contrast, this hospital demonstrated an impressive blend of professionalism, empathy, and patient-centred care.
The moments before surgery, especially during the administration of anesthesia, were also a remarkable experience for me. The anesthesiologist explained the entire procedure in simple language, behaved with exceptional warmth, and paid equal attention to my emotional comfort.
Before administering the anesthesia, consent was sought, every step was explained, and reassuring words helped replace anxiety with confidence. As a result, I experienced remarkably little fear during the process.
This experience showed me how important humane behavior from healthcare professionals can be in building a patient’s confidence and mental preparedness.
The hospital’s ward management, nursing support, cleanliness, and overall environment were all of a high standard. The staff members were consistently courteous, compassionate, and responsible in their dealings with patients.
Perhaps the most exceptional part of my experience occurred on May 7. At the time, I was at my home in Bangladesh. Suddenly, I experienced severe pain and some complications in my leg. I contacted Dr Atul Srivastava over the phone. Despite the late hour, he listened patiently to my concerns and asked me to send my discharge summary, latest prescription, and photographs of the affected area. After reviewing everything, he promptly provided the necessary advice and prescribed medication for one month.
In today’s world, receiving such attention, responsibility, and compassion from an internationally respected specialist is truly rare. To me, this was not merely a treatment experience; rather, it was a living example of a doctor’s sense of responsibility and humanity toward a patient.
My treatment journey reinforced one important lesson: The quality of modern healthcare does not depend solely on advanced technology or surgical expertise. Patient-centred behaviour, effective communication, emotional support, and proper post-treatment follow-up are equally important.
Compassionate behavior, clear explanations of medical procedures, and the accessibility of doctors during times of need can often provide patients with greater comfort and confidence than medicine itself.
Patients often remember not only the treatment they receive, but also how they are treated as human beings during vulnerable moments of their lives.
Looking back on my treatment journey, I realized that certain patient-centred approaches could play an important role in further enhancing healthcare services in Bangladesh.
These include comprehensive pre-admission assessment, clear communication regarding treatment procedures, psychological preparation of patients, organized ward management, personalized nutrition, and structured post-operative follow-up.
None of these require extraordinary technology; rather, they reflect a culture of patient-centred healthcare.
At the same time, alongside professional expertise, doctors, nurses, and support staff should receive further training and awareness on sincere communication, empathetic behaviour, and emotional support for patients.
Treatment is not only about physical recovery; it is also deeply connected to mental strength and human reassurance.
Bangladesh's healthcare sector has made remarkable progress over the past decades. The country is home to many highly competent physicians, dedicated healthcare professionals, and increasingly modern medical facilities.
Building further on these strengths through patient-centred management, humane behaviour, and compassionate care can help elevate healthcare services to even higher international standards.
My cross-border treatment journey reminded me that the true measure of a hospital is not defined solely by its infrastructure or technology, but by the dignity, respect, empathy, and confidence it offers every patient.
Ruhul Kuddus is involved with education program management and development work.