At Shimla’s Chamiyana super-speciality institute, a Mandi resident’s account of his family’s experience puts the spotlight on a surgeon whose dedication has earned him heartfelt appreciation.
PRENEETA SHARMA
As inside an operating theatre, every second counts, every decision matters, and a surgeon’s steady hands can make the difference between life and death. Outside, however, another struggle unfolds in silence. Families wait with anxious hearts, whispered prayers and the fear of losing someone they love, hoping for the moment when a doctor will bring them reassuring news. In these hours of uncertainty, medical expertise offers hope, but compassion offers comfort. A few reassuring words, a patient hearing or a gesture of kindness can ease the burden of fear and give families the strength to face difficult moments. Long after the treatment is over, it is often this human connection that remains etched in their memories. For them, a doctor is not merely someone who treats an illness, but someone who stands beside them when they feel most helpless. This blend of medical skill and human compassion is what has brought appreciation to Dr Praveen Dhaulta,a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at Atal Super Speciality Institute, Chamiyana, in Shimla, whose approach to patient care has touched the heart of a patient’s family.
For Subedar Ram Kumar, a resident of Harwan village in Mandi district, Dr Dhaulta’s contribution went beyond the boundaries of medical treatment. Deeply moved by the doctor’s approach and the care extended to the patient, Ram Kumar has now turned his appreciation into a formal appeal to the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, seeking a letter of appreciation for the surgeon. His appeal stems from the belief that while medical skills help treat an illness, compassion helps families find strength when fear and uncertainty weigh heavily on them.
By bringing Dr Dhaulta’s work to the Governor’s attention, Ram Kumar hopes to recognise a form of service that often goes unacknowledged with the patience, empathy and personal commitment that can make a difficult medical journey a little easier. His gesture also carries a larger message: that appreciation for a doctor should not be limited to successful treatment alone, but should extend to the humanity with which patients and their families are treated. During the 10 days his family spent undergoing treatment at the institute, Subedar Ram Kumar had the opportunity to observe Dr Dhaulta’s approach to patient care at close quarters. He said the surgeon operated on his family member, but it was his conduct beyond the operation theatre that left a lasting impression. His accessibility, willingness to listen and patience in addressing the family’s concerns made the difficult period easier to navigate.
Like Ram Kumar, many other patients remember Dr Dhaulta with deep gratitude, with some describing his care as a godsend during their most difficult moments. What stays with them is not merely the medical treatment they receive, but also the understanding, reassurance and compassion that accompany it. For families grappling with illness, financial constraints and uncertainty about the future, a doctor who takes the time to understand their circumstances can offer hope and comfort when they need it most.
For his patients, Dr Dhaulta’s approach reflects the often-overlooked human side of medicine, where individuals are treated not merely as medical cases but as people and families navigating fear, pain and uncertainty. It is this combination of medical expertise and empathy, particularly towards patients from economically weaker backgrounds, that has earned him appreciation from patients and their families and prompted calls for formal recognition of his services.
However, in the year 2025, Dr Dhaulta is also a part of a medical team that achieved a significant milestone by successfully performing a third open-heart surgery on 56-year-old Om Prakash from Bilaspur. The complex procedure was performed under the leadership of Professor Dr Dhaulta, with assistance from Dr Rajesh Chopra. The case was particularly challenging as the patient had already undergone two open-heart surgeries. The successful operation highlighted Dr Dhaulta’s surgical expertise and the growing capabilities of advanced cardiac care at IGMC Shimla. Then also,Dr Dhaulta’s work has drawn appreciation from patients and their families for the reassurance, understanding and compassion he brings to medical care. His contribution reflects the vital role of specialised cardiac surgery and patient-centred care in strengthening public healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh.
In medicine, skilled hands can perform an operation. But it is the combination of skill, responsibility and compassion that can leave a lasting mark on a patient’s life.
