Meet Dr. Purnima Gupta

"My mother suffered from a malignancy and being able to explain medical literature and support her have been moments that have helped me establish my goals as a doctor. I wish I could support all my patients in a similar manner."

December, 2021

“I grew up in various countries and moved to India to pursue my MBBS. I want to continue to stay here because I feel this country has tremendous potential and the only trajectory is upwards with a number of new medical colleges coming up and the change in perception of health in the public. I decided to pursue my residency in India because I believe Indian doctors are well trained due to the number of patients they treat and the exposure to varied disorders.

The happiest moment of my life was not the day I graduated as a doctor and made my parents proud but when my mother said I was her strength through her prolonged treatment.

My mother suffered from a malignancy and being able to explain medical literature and support her have been moments that have helped me establish my goals as a doctor. I wish I could support all my patients in a similar manner.

The most challenging part about being a doctor is to have to acknowledge the limitations of being human and sometimes things being out of your hands. I tear up sometimes knowing that a patient may not make it and all I can do is try my best to help them.

The most impactful day of my journey was the day I held a 14 year old girl’s hand as she lay in her bed crying. She was suffering from CKD and was laying on the hospital bed quietly and tears rolling down and I didn’t know how to help.

There are two sides to every coin but I find the reservation system in India needs to be revised and addressed with a new perspective. Perhaps we need to revisit the root cause of requiring upliftment and change policies considering current trends. I hope we are part of the India, where everyone feels capable, empowered and safe.“