A mission and a message

THREE DECADES ago, in most traditional homes in South India, girls embarking on a career, were advised to choose medicine or teaching, as only these were considered to be respectable professions for women. However, with the passage of time, changes in attitude towards women's emancipation became visible. Women were no longer voiceless or invisible and stormed almost all that had hitherto been considered as exclusive male bastions, the world over. Unfortunately, discrimination on the basis of gender and colour, continues to haunt professionals seeking to establish themselves overseas.

The story of Dr. Thankam Varma, who recently joined the Madras Medical Mission as head of the unit of Reproductive Medicine and Women's Health is one of courage, endurance and success. Though she presents a gracious, warm and friendly exterior, her eyes convey grim determination and steadfastness of purpose. Dr. Varma studied in the Madras Medical College and passed out as the best outgoing student of the Madras University. She also bagged the Johnston Gold Medal, apart from other gold medals and certificates of honour. Dr. Varma's excellent academic record opened doors for her in the U.K. where she went to pursue higher studies. She has an impressive string of degrees (MRCOG, FRCS and Phd) no doubt obtained after much toil and trouble. In 1981, she was awarded fellowship of the Royal College in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. By then she had written nearly 50 publications and some chapters in medical books.

Despite the fact that she was a brilliant student, she had to endure a considerable amount of harassment during her training and later, during her tenure as a surgeon and as a professor. Being a woman in a male-dominated world was a factor that created obstacles in her path to success; this was made worse by the other factor - racial discrimination on account of being an Indian. However, notwithstanding these obstacles, she became the first woman surgeon to be appointed at the prestigious St. George's Medical School. Dr. Varma admits with justifiable pride that she was the first woman to study in the U.K. and reach this prestigious position in a British medical school. She was member of the Board of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the senate representing St. George's Medical School. She was also a member of the Equal Opportunities Commission for the ethnic minority group in the National Health Service to ensure that the ethnic minority has a right to hold key positions if found suitable. She was an examiner for the MRCOG, MD and MS for nearly 23 years.

She mentioned the various hurdles she had to face while preparing for her career in medicine. She would be put on call deliberately by her superior during examinations. Sometimes a sympathetic colleague would help her out and she would circumvent the crisis and take the examination and pass with flying colours. She had to face a white woman who was rapidly making it to the top. Dr. Varma admits with candour that in the initial stages of one's career, gender or racial bias may not overtly operate. The management is usually happy to accept capable hands, black or white, but when they rise up the career ladder they become a threat to those who occupy key positions. Accordingly, her promotions and merit awards were suppressed. But the efforts to get rid of her failed. Dr. Varma had to face a 'smear campaign' as she refused to buckle to threats and fought on with grim determination towards her goal. She was a member of the Equal Opportunities for Women Commission and fought against women being treated as second class citizens even in developed countries. Protesting against the unfair treatment she was consistiently facing, she did not hesitate to take up her case with the Industrial Tribunal. Nevertheless, she had received the following honours during her overseas tenure. The Reshmi Varma prize was instituted for the best student in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She could name an annual scientific lecture by an eminent scientist. She was given a plaque stating her contribution to medicine and the IVF theatre was to be named after her. Although she won her case twice, life still was not peaceful owing to the vengeful attitude of her erstwhile colleagues and she decided to return to India.

She has been working in the Madras Medical Mission since December 1999 in order to set up a centre of excellence to take care of the needs of women. As a medical practitioner she believes that the patient should be given all the necessary information and surgery should be the last option. Modern technology should be used judiciously and expensive tests should not be carried out unless absolutely necessary for a patient. The emphasis should be on hygiene, especially during the post operative period.

The Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Women's Health which is part of the Madras Medical Mission is to be inaugurated shortly. This new unit is said to take care of all the needs of a woman from birth. It's first scientific conference is to be held on August 10, 11 and 12 to discuss the developments in the management of complex fertility problems. Faculty from world renowned centres will be taking part in the meet. Dr. Varma strongly feels that the treatment of infertility has been mismanaged and only a trained body of people should handle such a unit. The conference will be dedicated to the cause of women and foster the right of women to decide their destiny.

Dr. Varma's courage and conviction remind one of the medical practitioners of a bygone era. She herself bemoans the loss of familial bonds and the old world values in our consumerist society. She has been splendidly supported right along by her husband and two children, especially during her ordeals overseas. When she returned to India in 1997 after a gap of 30 years she felt that the family unit was no longer as cohesive as before. She urges the younger generation to work with commitment and guard against commercialism in all avenues of life, particularly in the medical profession. One comes away feeling here is a doctor who will care for her patient no matter who or what she may be: black or white, rich or poor, young or old. And we are happy she has come home.

PREMA SRINIVASAN

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