“On the balance of probabilities, let’s proceed with the surgery,” is a remark that cardiologist Dr. K. Srinath Reddy recalls vividly. This statement was made back in 2009 when a team of doctors, alongside Dr. Manmohan Singh’s wife, found themselves in a cardiac catheterization lab at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. There was considerable debate about whether to undertake surgery or opt for a stenting procedure for Dr. Singh.
In a matter of thirty seconds, Dr. Singh assessed the situation and responded like a true economist, according to Dr. Reddy, even while lying there with tubes connected to him. Dr. Reddy had meticulously evaluated the risks and success rates associated with both surgical options and shared his findings with Dr. Singh, who decided without hesitation.
It was late January, just a few days shy of Republic Day, when Dr. Reddy, who led the medical team responsible for Dr. Singh’s health, called in Dr. Ramakanta Panda from the Asian Heart Institute in Mumbai for the intricate procedure. The operation itself spanned eight lengthy hours, including preparations, and a large media presence gathered at AIIMS.
The day after the surgery, on January 25, discussions arose regarding post-operative pain management for Dr. Singh. However, Dr. Singh was firm in his request to forgo pain medication, expressing that he could endure the pain as he preferred to keep his mind clear and focused. He was concerned about the safety situation and any potential “security incidents” surrounding the Republic Day festivities, underscoring his sense of duty.
Before his surgery, Dr. Singh explicitly stated that he wanted the details of his medical treatment to be disclosed to the media. He appointed Dr. Reddy as the spokesperson to relay information to the press. After the lengthy operation, then Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss requested a media briefing from the doctors. After first informing Dr. Singh’s family, Dr. Reddy and Dr. Panda addressed the press.
Questions arose regarding the long duration of the surgery. Dr. Panda responded, “When I’m saving a life, I don’t check the clock,” a testament to his commitment. Another point of contention was the decision to bring a doctor from Mumbai to perform the operation on the Prime Minister. In response, Dr. Reddy emphasized, “This isn’t about Mumbai Indians versus Delhi Daredevils; it’s Team India rallying for the Prime Minister.”
This marked Dr. Singh’s third significant medical procedure. He had previously undergone surgery in the UK in 1990, a stenting procedure in 2003-04, and he faced multiple blockages in 2009.
Dr. Singh was known to be an “exceptionally cultured individual,” polite and gracious, who would often bid farewell to his doctors at his residence prior to moving to the Prime Minister’s official residence on what was formerly Race Course Road. He was an “obedient patient,” but the only time he diverged from medical advice was regarding his diet. Post-operation, when doctors advised him to eat non-vegetarian food for protein, he chose to remain vegetarian, citing a principle instilled in him by his grandmother: “If you cannot give life, do not take life.”
