Renowned medical practitioner, Dr Rangksan Singh Thangkhiew (Founder, Managing Director & Chief Gastroenterologist) of Supercare Hospital has expressed concern over the shortage of gastroenterologists in Meghalaya and said this is one of the challenging aspects that he faces as a doctor.
An accomplished gastroenterologist with an eventful career of over 40 years Dr. Thangkhiew was honoured with ‘The Economic Times Inspiring Gastroenterologist of India’ award during the Doctors Conclave held in New Delhi to observe National Doctors Day yesterday.
Dr Thangkhiew said getting the right financial aid that will uplift the standards of healthcare as well as to be able to remain consistent and education to create awareness in the community about quality healthcare are the other challenges he faces.
Despite these challenges the doctor was the first to introduce video endoscopy and video colonoscopy in the north east, thereby contributing significantly towards advancement of healthcare in the region and promotion of modern technology in medical sciences.
He was also the first to perform Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in northeast India in 1999.
Being the first to complete the super-speciality degree in Gastroenterology (DM-Gastroenterology) in northeast India in 1987, Dr Thangkhiew pledged his service to the community, who at that time were not aware of what the degree meant and what the qualification DM (Doctorate in Medicine) signified.
“I took it up as a personal challenge to create awareness about my capabilities as a super specialist and my effectiveness to serve the community. The shortcomings of the existing healthcare infrastructure at the time and my resolution to dedicate my skills for the enhancement of healthcare in the region drove me towards my present goals. We still have a long way to go and my commitment remains undeterred,” he said.
It may be mentioned that Dr. Thangkhiew has built a loyal base of thousands of patients, many of whom have been with him for generations and treat him as a family member. He practiced in some of Shillong’s most well-known hospitals – Nazareth Hospital and Woodland Hospital.
In 2005, he and his team of dedicated professionals decided to make the big jump and Supercare Hospital was founded.
“We want to give the people of Meghalaya and the Northeast the care and facilities that are found in every modern health establishment across the country and the world. My travails and professional and personal experiences over the decades helped mould the idea of Supercare in my head, and along with me, others shared the same vision. We believe that with each step we take we bridge gaps and save lives. Therefore, our mission should be to set standards and be the leaders in the discipline of health for the ultimate goal – to provide relief and comfort to our patients,” he said.
Asked on what inspired him to be doctor and why he chose gastroenterologist as a specialty he said, “I cannot clearly recall the exact moment that triggered me to decide on a profession as a doctor, but I always remembered as a child that being a doctor who could heal people always fascinated me.”
Dr. Thangkhiew had suffered a near-death agonising episode of Upper Gastric bleed during his first year as an MBBS student. “This shook my conscience and catapulted my interest into Gastroenterology. I was then captivated by the vastness of the subject and have since then never looked back,” he recalled.
He adopted a philosophy, “Listen to patients, understand their needs and always put yourself in their shoes.” With this, he also wishes new generation of doctors to adopt the five core values to learn and know the basics, to enter the profession on their own personal choice, no compromises in studies, understand the psychology and needs of patients and treat all doctors equally with respect.
