When illness enters a family, life suddenly becomes fragile. Every test report feels heavy, every hospital corridor feels unfamiliar, and every moment is filled with silent prayers. For many families facing heart disease, hope comes in the form of skilled doctors and hospitals that know how to treat not only the heart, but also the fear that surrounds it.
In the busy neighbourhood of Kodambakkam in Chennai stands the respected Medway Heart Institute, a centre known for its advanced cardiac care. The institute is equipped with modern facilities including two high-tech cath labs, three modular operation theatres with ECMO support, and integrated diagnostic systems that help doctors manage complex heart conditions. From coronary angiography and angioplasty to bypass surgery, pacemaker implantation and cardiothoracic procedures, the hospital offers a wide range of specialized cardiac treatments.
But sometimes what stays with a family long after the treatment is not the machines or the operation theatres—it is the kindness of a doctor.
For our family, that doctor is Dr. Ramanathan. My mother, Mrs. Kalpana Ganguly, had to undergo heart treatment under his care. At her age, hospitals themselves can feel frightening. Added to that was a simple but real difficulty—she does not understand Tamil. Over the years she had also forgotten much of her Hindi, and speaking English had become difficult for her, especially when she was already anxious about surgery.
Watching a mother struggle to understand what is happening around her can be deeply painful for a daughter. I myself felt nervous and helpless. Though I have lived in Chennai for more than twenty years, my Tamil is still not strong enough to manage complicated medical discussions. During those days, every small step in the treatment process felt overwhelming.
That is when Dr. Ramanathan became more than just a doctor to us. He spoke to my mother slowly and gently, making sure she understood the process in the simplest way possible. He never showed impatience, never rushed the conversation. Instead, he spoke with warmth that immediately calmed her fears. His reassuring presence gave her the courage she needed before the surgery.
For a patient who is elderly and frightened, this kind of patience means everything. And for a daughter standing outside the operation theatre with a racing heart, his words brought strength. He guided us at every step and made sure we felt supported throughout the treatment.
Today, my mother has recovered well and her smile has returned to our home. That smile is something I cannot describe in words.
We Bengalis often address doctors with deep affection as “Doctor-Babu.” It is a phrase I remember from my childhood. Whenever I fell ill, my mother would take me to the doctor and speak with respect, saying “Doctor-Babu.” It was her way of expressing trust.
Now, after everything we experienced during her treatment, she lovingly calls Dr. Ramanathan by the same name.
For us, he truly became our “Doctor-Babu.”
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As a family, we remain deeply thankful for the care and compassion he showed my mother. Every day we pray for his health, happiness, and long life so that he may continue to heal many more people who come to him in fear and leave with hope.
If anyone from West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Odisha, or anywhere in India is facing heart problems and searching for guidance, I would humbly suggest seeking treatment under Dr. Ramanathan at Medway Heart Institute. Because sometimes, the greatest medicine is not only knowledge or technology. Sometimes, it is the gentle hand of a doctor who understands that behind every patient is a worried family waiting for a smile to return home.
