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A Doctor's Experiments in Bihar
Public health in India, especially maternal and child healthcare, has suffered from a long history of neglect and mismanagement. In addition, the rate of infant and maternal mortality are the highest in the state of Bihar. These two facts motivated Dr Taru Jindal, a gynaecologist from Mumbai, to work in Motihari District Hospital in Bihar with the mandate to train obstetricians in the latest surgical and patient care skills. But instead she saw that the doctors rarely attended to the pregnant women, basic medical equipment was unavailable, relatives crowded the operation theatres and biomedical waste lay in the open right next to the Labour Room. The same cruel pattern played out in the isolated village of Masarhi in Patna where she later managed a public health facility. A lack of access made the villagers wary of this doctor who prescribed blood tests and managed deliveries using forceps. And an added layer of caste exacerbated things further as upper-caste villagers shunned this doctor who walked into the segregated Musahar tolis.
In her two-year stint in Bihar, Dr Taru worked with the communities, counselling mothers and adolescent girls about reproductive health and tackling diseases such as malnutrition. She also collaborated with various hospital and district officials to equip local women and nurses in basic healthcare.
Gripping, eye-opening and inspiring, A Doctor’s Experiments in Bihar is a testament to how a few committed individuals can bring about significant change through sheer perseverance and compassion.
Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 9, 2021
So inspirational and lucidly written.
November 4, 2021
Although I don't agree with all the conclusions Dr. Taru draws from her experiences in rural Bihar, I do think it is a fascinating narrative with deep insights of the plight of the health care situation in Bihar.
I have seen and been part of the health care system in Bihar and it is not an understatement to say that rural Bihar is trailing atleast 50 years behind the average Indian city in health care, education, infrastructure etc, all very poignantly NOT for lack of proper governance and bureaucratic systems. This book is a moving narrative of that very plight.
There is no dearth of super specialists but of confident good quality primary care which is the most essential need in India now and will remain to be in the future. This book is a plea to doctors all around India to flee from the wave of privatisation and morbid capitalism of "sick care" towards Community Health and Family Medicine.
A must read for every passionate doctor in India!
I have seen and been part of the health care system in Bihar and it is not an understatement to say that rural Bihar is trailing atleast 50 years behind the average Indian city in health care, education, infrastructure etc, all very poignantly NOT for lack of proper governance and bureaucratic systems. This book is a moving narrative of that very plight.
There is no dearth of super specialists but of confident good quality primary care which is the most essential need in India now and will remain to be in the future. This book is a plea to doctors all around India to flee from the wave of privatisation and morbid capitalism of "sick care" towards Community Health and Family Medicine.
A must read for every passionate doctor in India!
March 8, 2020
I added the book to goodreads to review it. This book is literally the answer to the question "But the system is like that. What can I do?"
The TEDx Talk by the author was inspiring enough. But the book is like a prescription.
At the end you are left with a hard question. "What am I doing with my life?"
The TEDx Talk by the author was inspiring enough. But the book is like a prescription.
At the end you are left with a hard question. "What am I doing with my life?"
January 2, 2021
It would be injustice to the book and to Dr. Taru's journey for someone like me to write a review of it but still if this drives even one more person to read the book I guess my role will be fulfilled!
So in short it's one of the most exciting, inspiring and motivating books that I have read till date!
I would say it is a must read for every aspiring medico, every budding doctor and also for those who have long been in the grind of medical science, but also those not in the medical practice can get a brilliant exposure to the journey of 'impossible' change that is possible!
Dr. Taru has a very lucid and to the point frame of writing where every emotion she wishes to convey strikes straight at the heart and this is one point which I loved!!
In every chapter there is some learning, some points to ponder and reflect upon and also some facts which drove me into deep introspection! But at the same time it's so exciting and interesting that I couldn't put the book down till I completed 10-12 chapters at a stretch!
The book Chronicles Dr. Taru's journey of change from a budding Social Change maker to an actual ground level change maker and it debunks all the stereotypes and biases that our prevalent in our minds with respect to the scenario of rural set ups!
The way medical science was liberated from the elite medical colleges to the underprivileged masses was really inspirational. I truly felt as if a subject that we have in 3rd year of MBBS, Community Medicine, was not just a redundant text of a thick book but alive in the journey that I was reading!
If there is one take home message from the book that we all must remember is that, "Even 1% change in an underprivileged area is equal to a 100% change!"
We do not need to bring about 100% change in the situation just a 1% change and the system will carry on from there!
And a food for thought to all the readers would be, 'Should my journey of social contribution start at the age of 25 or 65?' let me know your thoughts on this!
So to any medico or for that matter non-medico reading this review my only one request would be, 'Read the book!'
So in short it's one of the most exciting, inspiring and motivating books that I have read till date!
I would say it is a must read for every aspiring medico, every budding doctor and also for those who have long been in the grind of medical science, but also those not in the medical practice can get a brilliant exposure to the journey of 'impossible' change that is possible!
Dr. Taru has a very lucid and to the point frame of writing where every emotion she wishes to convey strikes straight at the heart and this is one point which I loved!!
In every chapter there is some learning, some points to ponder and reflect upon and also some facts which drove me into deep introspection! But at the same time it's so exciting and interesting that I couldn't put the book down till I completed 10-12 chapters at a stretch!
The book Chronicles Dr. Taru's journey of change from a budding Social Change maker to an actual ground level change maker and it debunks all the stereotypes and biases that our prevalent in our minds with respect to the scenario of rural set ups!
The way medical science was liberated from the elite medical colleges to the underprivileged masses was really inspirational. I truly felt as if a subject that we have in 3rd year of MBBS, Community Medicine, was not just a redundant text of a thick book but alive in the journey that I was reading!
If there is one take home message from the book that we all must remember is that, "Even 1% change in an underprivileged area is equal to a 100% change!"
We do not need to bring about 100% change in the situation just a 1% change and the system will carry on from there!
And a food for thought to all the readers would be, 'Should my journey of social contribution start at the age of 25 or 65?' let me know your thoughts on this!
So to any medico or for that matter non-medico reading this review my only one request would be, 'Read the book!'
May 29, 2020
Living in plush cities with lavish embellishments, we don't fathom what conspires at backward rural Bihar.
A must read explicit bare truth exposed by a Mumbai Gynecologist working in Motihari District Hospital, Bihar.
How gasping govt hospital are left to rot by some doctors/ nurses who two time it along their private clinic.
Labor attended by sweepers, cuting and suturing episiotomy wound with rusted needle and stained thread with bare hands among a heap of rotten placenta and excreta lying beneath and around.
How she changed it to cleanest and best district hospital in India?
She then propelled to elevate " mushar" community in new PHC in Bihar.
Mushar is the outcast and lowest rung caste here,where still dead rat skin is fed upon as meal in absence of half a decent meal!
# Change Bihar to improve India#
A must read explicit bare truth exposed by a Mumbai Gynecologist working in Motihari District Hospital, Bihar.
How gasping govt hospital are left to rot by some doctors/ nurses who two time it along their private clinic.
Labor attended by sweepers, cuting and suturing episiotomy wound with rusted needle and stained thread with bare hands among a heap of rotten placenta and excreta lying beneath and around.
How she changed it to cleanest and best district hospital in India?
She then propelled to elevate " mushar" community in new PHC in Bihar.
Mushar is the outcast and lowest rung caste here,where still dead rat skin is fed upon as meal in absence of half a decent meal!
# Change Bihar to improve India#
February 15, 2025
Book 6 of 2025!
‘A Doctor’s Experiments in Bihar’ by Dr. Taru Jindal’
I discovered Dr. Taru Jindal through an article about her book and journey featured in 'Eenadu' newspaper last month.
Dr. Taru Jindal weaves a narrative of hope, perseverance, and transformation, offering an enlightening and inspiring account of her experiences. She highlights both the triumphs and tribulations faced while addressing the challenges of a mismanaged medical system.
She stands as a testament to the remarkable impact that determined individuals with willpower and perseverance can achieve. The book shatters numerous stereotypes and biases that persist in society. The writing resonates deeply, touching the heart and challenging the conscience, while also fostering a sense of optimism.
This book is a must-read, not only for doctors but for anyone aspiring to create meaningful change.
‘A Doctor’s Experiments in Bihar’ by Dr. Taru Jindal’
I discovered Dr. Taru Jindal through an article about her book and journey featured in 'Eenadu' newspaper last month.
Dr. Taru Jindal weaves a narrative of hope, perseverance, and transformation, offering an enlightening and inspiring account of her experiences. She highlights both the triumphs and tribulations faced while addressing the challenges of a mismanaged medical system.
She stands as a testament to the remarkable impact that determined individuals with willpower and perseverance can achieve. The book shatters numerous stereotypes and biases that persist in society. The writing resonates deeply, touching the heart and challenging the conscience, while also fostering a sense of optimism.
This book is a must-read, not only for doctors but for anyone aspiring to create meaningful change.
March 28, 2023
This book is so inspiring! Dr Taru left everything behind in Mumbai to work for the wellbeing of Women and Children and went to Bihar of all places. Just imagining the dirty labour and OT room, patients delivering there was horrifying. For her to solve for these problems with courage and empathy, must have taken a lot of effort.
The book is written both formally and informally where it feels like a friend is narrating their life story to you whilst also showing the statistics and data needed to back the issues stated.
Dr Taru is a true social worker and a feminist. Appreciate her efforts a lot.
The book is written both formally and informally where it feels like a friend is narrating their life story to you whilst also showing the statistics and data needed to back the issues stated.
Dr Taru is a true social worker and a feminist. Appreciate her efforts a lot.
June 17, 2020
Epitome of perseverance, Dr. Taru is an inspiration for the young guns of India.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews