Dr Seby Varghese’ clinic is at Kadavanthara. But, every morning you can find him at the first year classes of Government Law College, Ernakulam.
A dentist with 16 years of experience, Dr Seby is doing a three-year LLB, not because he wants to practice law. He is on a mission to create awareness among both doctors and patients about medical laws and rights.His aim is to equip himself with the capability to carry out awareness programme.
“Very few people know that patients are entitled to many rights. The practice in India is to just to follow what the doctors
advice. Similarly, doctors also are not much aware of the prevailing medical law. My aim is to create awareness among both,” says Dr Seby.”As a dental student, I was not aware of anything related to medical law. I don’t remember whether I was taught anything on this subject. Patients rights are being violated often which later leads to litigation lasting for years. If the doctor and the patient are aware of the law and rights, such litigation could be avoided to a great extent,” he said.Dr Seby is of the opinion that it is high time that medical law is included in the syllabus of medical courses. “After 16 years of practice I felt I should do something for society to empower them so as to take part in health care decisions along with doctors,” he said.
After completing BDS, Dr Seby got an opportunity to work with professionals from Royal College of Surgeon in the UK. The rights enjoyed by patients there inspired him a lot. Returning home, he joined for Post Graduate Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics at the National University. After completing the course, he started giving lectures on related subjects to public and dental professionals. “It was then that I decided to join LLB,” says Dr Seby who also the founder of Dentella Foundation, an organisation for creating awareness on medical law.
A specialist in cosmetic dentistry, Dr Seby practices at ‘Facet’, a clinic at Kadavanthra which he started with the other dentist friends. He consults only limited patients per day.“I will be present at the clinic till 10.30 pm. Howeverr, I make it to the classes by 9.30 am. Being in campus with friends is a rejuvenating experience. It gives me a lot of energy,” he said. Dr Seby has around 30 celebrity patients who call him as their ‘smile advisor’.