“I’m proud to give back”: UHNM Consultant Teaches Elderly Care in Indian Hometown

A consultant geriatrician from University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has told of his pride after returning to his hometown in India to teach vital skills to local doctors. 

Dr Anil Kumar, who works at County Hospital in Stafford, swapped his usual ward rounds for lectures and training sessions in the city of Patna in the east of India. 

Dr Kumar was able to share his expertise on elderly care at three medical collages during his visit to the country as part of his role as an international membership examiner for the Royal College of Physicians. 

He returned to his old medical school, Nalanda Medical College, where he focused on Parkinson’s disease.

He was also invited to speak at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) and the trauma centre at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain (LNJP) Hospital. His session at LNJP on caring for older trauma patients was even covered by the local press.

Dr Kumar, who has worked at UHNM for 10 years, said: “I feel so happy and privileged to go back. India gave me my education, and the NHS shaped my career. It’s my way of giving something back.” 

Dr Kumar says the differences between the NHS and India healthcare are striking. 

He said: “In the UK, everything is free at the point of delivery. In India, money is involved at every step. A lot of people struggle to get care. And the diseases you see there are very different, more tropical illnesses. 

“It’s emotional going back. I’m proud to share what I’ve learnt and help the people there.