CHENNAI: Dr Geetha Haripriya is one of the most respected obstetricians & gynaecologists and also a specialist in reproductive medicine and laparoscopic surgery in the city. The chairperson of Prashanth Multispeciality Hospital, and MD of Prashanth Fertility Research Centre, her interest in fertility medicine began when she faced problems in her personal life.
Her vast experience as an infertility specialist has got her many honours and awards, and she has helped over 22,000 women become mothers. Among her incredibly tight schedule, she chats with CE about her strong patient-relationships, how she unwinds and her passion for a subject far from her profession — interior design!
One day in your life?
Well, it’s pretty hectic really. I wake up at 5.20 am, and visit the Velachery hospital, finish all surgeries, then head to Harrington Road branch and start the surgeries. IVF work and laparoscopy go on side by side along with deliveries. My husband, Dr Gopalaswamy, a surgeon, supports me. Out-patient work goes on till 1 pm. I take only a 10-minute break for breakfast, and a 20-minute break for lunch. Working six days a week, I take one Sunday in a month off. The other Sundays, we organise medical camps or official meetings.
That’s an extremely packed work life! How do you balance your personal life?
Well, so far I’ve managed! (smiles) The team is very important. My home is supported by my mother and the surgical work and administration of the hospital is supported by my husband. My team of secretaries and doctors are very efficient. Everyday, I manage to spend at least 60 seconds with all my patients who come here. Their satisfaction is ultimately important. That’s what carries you so far.
What do you do on the one day of break you get? What are your other interests?
I like jewellery design and interior design. I have done the interiors for all my hospitals myself. That is my passion! I attend various exhibitions on architecture and interior design, and update myself about what is new in the market.
That’s incredible! How did you learn on your own?
I would just call it a passion, really. I travel a lot for work; I attend a conference for three days and squeeze in three more days to look at all the beautiful buildings to learn.
Any favourite places amongst the ones you’ve visited?
Norway. There’s a city called Bergen. The journey from Oslo to Bergen is the most picturesque journey, where you travel by a train, a boat and by bus — in almost all modes of transport. The scenery is perfect — the fjords, lakes, mountains and the greenery — basically nature. The weather is also incredible! I have been to Bergen thrice now — it’s one of my favourite spots on Earth.
Culinary experiences among travels?
I try to taste the local food as much as possible, to know the taste. But once in a while, I rush to an Indian restaurant there (chuckles).
If god granted you a wish for a superpower, what would you choose?
To make every woman a mother.
What is the main challenge you’ve faced in your life?
The main challenge is in finding the right people who do the job the way you want it — to handle patients the way you do. The patients come with a lot of distress, and you have to give them a shoulder to lean on. I have had bitter experiences with shaming and so on — but by and large I have a large gathering of patients.
A lasting bond with your patients is what makes your field in medicine unique — tell us more about that.
I get many patients from the UK, France, and Switzerland. Whenever I go there, we meet. The best patients I have are from Sri Lanka. I go there every year, to conduct medical camps, and I see a long trail of children waiting to see me and we spend time together. I feel really good that god has given me the capacity to create such wonderful children. That is what I look forward to every year. My association with Sri Lanka started in 2003, when my first Sri Lankan patient walked in, and all the women from there who came thereafter conceived in their first time. After that, I have a steady stream of Sri Lankan patients across the world. Over 8,000 babies I have delivered for them alone.
Words of motivation?
Nothing comes easy. You have to work really hard. Set your targets, make a plan, and work hard toward it. There are a lot of thorns in the way — but be bold. There’s nothing you can’t achieve.
I still have a lot of aspirations — we’re planning another 200-bed hospital, and I love doing all the interiors so I look forward to doing that! My motto is, aim for the sky, and at least you’ll reach the Church steeple.