The Sultan of HNCII

Dr. Sultan Pradhan is a man with a mission; to save those who unfortunately get into the grips of the Big C. Early detection is the key, he counsels

Text & Photographs: Farzana Contractor

Commitment, dedication, discipline, these are middle names of oncologist, Dr Sultan Pradhan, the well-known cancer surgeon whose reputation precedes him wherever he goes. It is his quiet zeal and determination that will have Bombay see its newest hospital, exclusively for treatment of head and neck cancer.

Situated at Dockyard, in Mazgaon, HNCII (Head and Neck Cancer Institute of India) the hospital is beautifully built. Elegant in its simplicity and of high quality, it has 99 beds, six operation theatres installed with the best of equipment, the best doctors and surgeons heading each department. Professionals with years of experience from Tata Memorial and Prince Aly Khan hospitals, both establishments where Dr Pradhan has spent decades working tirelessly. That Ratan Tata is one of the donors who supported Dr Pradhan’s cause speaks volumes of his goodwill.

“Why, head and neck especially?” I enquire. “Simply because this area, mouth and throat is Number 1 in afflictions – in Indian men and Number 3 in women, after breast and uterine cancers. It totals 27% of all cancers in our country as opposed to just 4% in the West.” The cause obviously is paan and tobacco-chewing habits, the infamous ‘gutka’ being the culprit, but it is also due to excessive alcohol drinking and smoking. “All three have carcinogenic effects on the oral lining, leading to oral cancers,” says Dr Pradhan, in a quiet tone. Keeping the high statistics in mind, it is surprising that these cancers had not been provided for adequately and that Tata Memorial was the only hospital in the country where there were surgeons to address this form of cancer. In fact, HNCII is the first exclusive hospital in the world. A culmination of a 25-year-old dream, of a surgeon who set his heart on creating one.

To overcome the lack in this department, it was Dr Pradhan’s pioneering thought that had actually got an action into motion. More than a decade ago, he had made a proposal to the Municipal Corporation of Bombay – to have them incorporate, into the ENT departments of the post-grad medical students at their municipal hospitals such as Nair, KEM and Sion, the study of H and N cancers. They accepted the idea wholeheartedly. Soon enough the students were watching and learning from Dr Pradhan while he accessed and operated upon such patients. In due course, these doctors also started to operate under the guidance of other senior surgeons, all trained under Dr Pradhan. A system was born and has stayed in place.

“What can we do to take care of ourselves?” I ask him. “A balanced lifestyle is always good,” advises the doctor, “All I can say is avoid addictions, avoid obesity, keep to a sensible diet, and exercise.” He also says that after a certain age, one must go for regular checkups. Catching cancer in an early stage is imperative … “Cancer is not as dreadful as it is made out to be. Not as fatal as it is perceived to be. Not as if it is untreatable. But the trouble is, it tends to get ignored initially,” he laments. Adding, “This could be due to fear… or assuming it will just disappear. It is worse in women, who are actually more perceptive about such things. It’s their selflessness which lands them in trouble. I have seen them put themselves at the back. Children’s studies, exams, husband’s jobs and postings, business schedules, family marriages, everything is placed before their own health. Even if a lump is felt, it is ignored, it will go away, they pretend and then it reaches a stage when it is too late. Early detection results in less or no mutilation… a breast does not have to be removed, the larynx can be operated, voice box saved,” says Dr Pradhan with a concerned look on his face. So folks, be aware, be prompt and certainly have financials in place. Medical insurance is a must, eases the mind…

So what is Dr Pradhan’s mantra for his own healthy mind in his healthy body, that is so apparent to the eye. Does he walk? He laughs and says, no, where’s the time? He is no walk-oholic, but workaholic for sure! Obviously his visits to Masina, Breach Candy and Hinduja hospitals, with six surgeries scheduled three times a week, four for the remaining three and two every Sunday morning, he cannot have much time or energy for much else! He does watch TV, but not news. He reads a lot. Not just medical journals and the like, but proper books. Just finished, We TheNehrus, “What a book! You must read it,” he urges. He reads early mornings and before retiring at night.

When pressed to talk about any hobbies, the doctor surprised me by saying when young, he used to practise sumo wrestling! He even played two musical instruments, the mandolin and the recorder (the straight flute). “But mind you, I was no good at any. Not even average!,” he says in his humble trademark manner.

If you think Dr Sultan Pradhan is simple, read on. His staple food is khichdi. He has it every night. With hardly any variations. He does not even know which lentil it is made from. He is largely a vegetarian, eating fish or some meat only for Sunday lunch. He does go out for dinners sometimes, when his grandchildren so desire. Of which he has six, five boys and one girl, Anushka Nair, his princess. The only one who can really get him to smile! What about holidays? He replies in two words, “Very tiring.” Workaholic he is, alright. But pressed to remember somewhere nice he has been, he says, “Canadian Rockies.”

So I went back to talking about work.

Plans are afoot for phase II of HNCII. Which is a new building, adjacent to the 17-floor hospital building on one side and a horizontal car park on the other. The new building will house an educational and research centre, an auditorium and MRI Centre, as also more operation theatres and patient rooms. Dr Sultan can’t wait to get started. “Both plots are already acquired, gifted. People have been very kind and helpful. The donors, of course, but also the bureaucrats, municipal heads, politicians, all have assisted us in making this dream a reality.  This is a public and private partnership between CanCare Trust and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.”

It was the then Cabinet Minister for Oil & Natural Gas – current Education Minister  – Dharmesh Pradhan, who alloted the plot on which there was a petrol pump, for the parking building, and Manisha Mhaiskar – then Additional Municipal Commissioner for Health who initiated the original project with the agreement being signed by Sanjay Deshmukh who went on to take charge from her.

It’s not just Dr Pradhan who has to feel gratitude for the financial support shown to him by generous souls, but we, the beneficiaries, too. Starting with the single largest donor and the man who shared the vision with Dr Pradhan, Narotam Sekhsaria of Gujarat Ambuja Cement, who generously donated 50 crores. Followed by Ratan Tata, Damani Radhakishan, Deepak Parekh, IrfanAllana, Yuku & Muku Hameid, Anand Mahindra, Rajashree Birla, Azim Premji, among many others. Thank you, all.