“As a radiologist, interacting with different patience has been a part of my everyday life. I enjoy doing my work. It gives me joy. As I had a growing interest in watching X rays of people, I decided to become a radiologist. When I was working at Kanti hospital, there were only a handful of radiologists then.
People often ask me how I could be a doctor without operating patients. Well, not every doctor operates. I have a different set of duties,” said Dr Kiran Simkhada, radiologist. Dr Simkhada was born in a big family. He was 4 years old when he lost his mother. To focus on studies, he stayed at the school’s hostel. He qualified for scholarship and completed MBBS in 1991 from Calcutta.
Souls of my city: A man of commitment and hard work
He then came to Kathmandu. He volunteered in Bir Hospital for more than two months. Since he was on a financial crisis, he looked for new jobs. He started working as a medical officer. He started with basic salary of Rs. 2200. Simkhada feels lucky to have had number of opportunities throughout his career. “I am lucky. There are doctors who end up running the family business despite completing MBBS. It makes no sense. Deserving candidates should be granted scholarships. MBBS seats should be occupied by the deserving candidates only; the ones who strive to be good doctors,” said Dr Simkhada.