In his just-launched book Anatomy of a Pandemic, Rupak Barua, CEO of the AMRI hospitals, details the healthcare sector’s journey through the Covid-19 crisis. Emphasising the unexpected and unprecedented challenges that the healthcare system faced, the book describes how his team transformed its approach, from increasing bed capacity to integrating technology like remote patient communication robots. A narrative of resilience and innovation, the book captures the healthcare community’s response to a first-of-its-kind crisis, highlighting the journey from uncertainty to empowerment. A t2 chat.
Congratulations on the book! How and when did the idea of the Anatomy of a Pandemic come about?
The Covid-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge for us all, especially for the healthcare service providers. Initially, we underestimated the severity of the situation, since we had never been faced with one like it before, but as the pandemic progressed, we understood how serious it was. Finally, a point came when we were instructed by the West Bengal government to allocate one of our hospital buildings exclusively to Covid-19 patients. This eventually turned into a major shift in healthcare, including transforming the Salt Lake stadium into a makeshift hospital… but as we gained more experience and confidence in handling the virus, we expanded our capacity to the utmost. There was a point when we were running virtual consultations for people who didn’t need immediate hospitalisation or ones with significantly fewer co-morbidities, so this was a period of intense learning and adaptation for us all. We came up with certain technological advancements as well, to limit as much human contact as possible. We had a couple of robots running around the place, so you could say we progressed a lot in terms of healthcare delivery.
I always say innovation arises in times of crisis, so the idea for the book essentially emerged from our desire to document and remember this journey. We felt that such a crisis should be remembered and kept on record for future generations. The book isn’t just about AMRI’s journey, it represents the broader struggle of the healthcare sector as a whole. You could say it’s a tribute to the healthcare professionals who endured such challenges during the pandemic. We hope this book serves as a reminder for future generations and as a guide for handling similar situations in the future.
Do you have a personal anecdote that you think helped shape the narrative of the book, apart from the professional aspects of it?
I was a frontline leader, but both my wife and I had to face the virus personally as well. So, it was this challenging period, both physically and mentally, that inspired me to document our journey. I realised the importance of recording our experiences and tried to show how we managed the crisis with our limited resources but still worked towards contributing to society and the larger community. The book also records the challenges surrounding the vaccine rollout. This was a particularly difficult time for us because there were vaccine shortages and long queues, especially for senior citizens. People were desperate for vaccinations, and managing this process was quite a task.
But, you know, by documenting these experiences, I feel a sense of accomplishment. As a healthcare professional, what we pulled off in our hospitals during the pandemic, unarmed as we were with previous knowledge of the virus, serves as a testament to our strength. It speaks volumes of the courage and dedication that our doctors and nurses showed. To me, that’s a reminder that we have an innate capability to overcome challenges, immense as they may be. I think that’s an important lesson for everyone.
You mentioned feeling good about the efforts that you put into this. Were there any personal challenges or struggles that you faced writing about something that impacted so many people?
The collection of data was a big issue. We had limited resources at the beginning of the pandemic since there was no pre-existing data on Covid at all. So, gathering accurate, authentic data from all over the world was quite an ordeal. It took a lot of time.
And what were some of the most surprising revelations that you found in your data collection or in your process of documenting the events that ultimately led to the book?
What’s really surprising is the way our thought process has changed. Our experiences with Covid-19 have led to a significant shift in areas like hospital design, processing systems, and the manufacturing of medical supplies, like personal protective equipment and N95 masks. This self-sufficiency bolstered our confidence a great deal, and, if I were to be honest, it revolutionised the healthcare delivery system in our country. The pandemic taught us that we must be prepared for any disaster and be innovative in our responses and, post-Covid, the healthcare system in India has evolved significantly.
Was this documentation of Covid-19 at any point emotionally challenging for you?
You know, the other day I watched this really soul-stirring movie called Society of the Snow, a Spanish film based on a real-life incident of how a flight containing an Uruguay rugby team crashed on the Alps. Seventeen passengers survived 62 days in the snow all by themselves, without any resources. At one point, three of those survivours just started walking, with no idea where they were headed. They had no compass, no map, nothing but immense determination, and at the end they were rescued by helicopter. Trying to manage Covid was a lot like that. We had no idea what we were doing. The virus was new and nowhere on record and treatment had never been attempted before, but we were determined not to give up. So, to me, it was all about keeping our spirits up and not letting go of that positive attitude because it led to a lot of motivation.
You mentioned carrying forward the spirit of innovation, motivation and positivity into your career after what has already happened. Do you think these are your takeaways from the pandemic?
Yes. On the professional front, as someone in healthcare, the pandemic has given us a lot of confidence. That is one part. The other part is that it has given me a lot of confidence in my personal life as well. I’ve learned that the key to any kind of obstacle is not to get demoralised. One has to keep a positive mindset. That is what has come out of Covid — a new outlook towards life and work, and being innovative enough to find the answer.
Any plans for any other books, perhaps in the future?
I don’t have specific plans for another book, but given the rapid advancements in healthcare, particularly in India, it could be a thought to mull over. The healthcare sector is evolving quickly, especially after the pandemic, and people are now more proactive about their health. But that’s still mostly in the metropolitan cities and one of our main challenges is enhancing accessibility in rural areas. For now, what this book does is basically try to establish that as a race, there is nothing we are incapable of. The key in life is to bounce back. With a little bit of strength and determination, we can handle anything.