Companies need to provide good work-life balance to its employees | Dr Vijay Agarwal

Dr Vijay Agarwal is the Head of Pediatric Cardiac and Transplant Surgery at SL Raheja Hospital-A Fortis Associate. In an exclusive interview with Tanuvi Joe, Dr Agarwal discusses about the 130 cardiac corrective cardiac procedures and surgeries (NABADAT) which helped children from disempowered families across Pune, Satara, Gadchiroli, Nanded in Maharashtra 

In recent years, what are the various trends you have observed in the field of cardiac surgeries?
There has been significant increase in the number of screening and treatment units across the country which has in turn phenomenally increased awareness about the need for corrective paediatric cardiac surgeries for children under five years.

What is the arterial switch transplant and how does it help in patient recovery?
The arterial switch operation is a complex benchmark operation in neonates, done for Transposed Great Arteries, which are surgically corrected to bring them back to their normal alignment.

Can you tell me more about the project where you and fellow doctors performed cardiac corrective cardiac procedures and surgeries (NABADAT)?
I am associated with NABADAT from the past four years, and I’m an active member of their mission across the globe, for the benefit of children in need. Their aid enabled us to conduct over 70 successful paediatric cardiac operations and procedures at SL Raheja Hospital Mahim – A Fortis Associate under the leadership of Dr Bipin Chevale, Zonal Director of the hospital. In all, under this initiative, we conducted over 130 corrective surgeries and procedures, between SL Raheja Hospital Mahim – A Fortis Associate and Fortis Hospital, Mulund.

What steps can employers and companies take to improve cardiac health?
All the leading healthcare providers that are aware of the cardiac burden in India, are contributing and progressively working towards bringing down this burden. Lifestyle modifications are the way forward, especially stress management, which can be addressed by a good work-life balance that every company/ employer needs to provide to their employees.