Leading by example: the KCR way ...... Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 Leading by example: the KCR way

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao with VJM Divakar

Hans India (23-05-2021)

The real power of a leader is in the number of minds he can reach, hearts he can touch, souls he can move and lives he can change. The two visits to government hospitals, Gandhi in Secunderabad and MGM in Warangal where he interacted with the Covid patients, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has proved that he is a leader who believes in leading by example. His two visits and the way he had interacted with the patients had instilled tremendous confidence among them and gave them the necessary zeal to get over the problem. So much so that one of the patients in MGM in Warangal, Venkata Chari, a resident of Matte Wada raised slogans in favor of the CM and he proudly acclaimed that CM was his savior and the life giver.

CM KCR, perhaps, the one and only Chief Minister or a political leader in the country who went to the field and encountered the problem face to face. His visit and comforting words which came from bottom of his heart, have made Covid patients across the state heave a sigh of relief. There is no doubt, this simple and heart touching act of the Chief Minister KCR would result in the decrease of the Covid positive cases as a majority of cases are happening due to psychological fear. The CM visits and his words of solace have reduced the fear among the people and this is no exaggeration.

It is often said that successful military generals like our own Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw would visit the advance bases to meet the army personnel posted there, only to enthuse the formations there and boost the morale of the forces. Understanding that in any crisis or critical time, one should plunge into the eye of the storm and try to manage it and change the course for the better. 

Immediately after assuming the charge of Medical and Health Ministry portfolio, the CM did not waste even a second and took the Corona Bull by the horns. After examining the second surge of Covid, the CM swung into action not by mere words but by immediate action. He paid a visit to the Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad and went straight to the ICU where people suffering with Corona are admitted for the treatment. He did not confine his visit to the ICU; he went to the general ward and had one to one interaction with the patients there. Like a good family physician in the past, CM KCR inadvertently showed his excellent interactive skills which in medical parlance called bedside Manner-a doctor's approach or attitude to a patient. The CM inquired about the personal details of the patient such as his or her name, native place, and his or her profession.

KCR also inquired with them about the kind of treatment they are getting, what medicines they are given, what type of injections are administered and what quality of food they are given? He also asked them about the services and facilities available at the hospitals and do they require any additional help or service. This put the patients into a very comfort zone and helped them to talk to the CM in a free and fearless manner.

The very presence of the CM had charged the entire atmosphere in the Hospital and eased all the tensions; apprehensions the patients were entertaining before the visit. The visit also put the Doctors, Nurses, Supportive medical and health staff at ease and they too were able to interact with the CM and informed him about certain problems which they are facing.

The CM known for his quick decisions and no non-sense approach, had solved several issues on the sport and some of the issues like the ones raised by the junior doctors and nurses working on contract basis, he had asked the medical and health officials present there to send a note immediate for a quick approval by the State Cabinet.

The CM’s visit to the MGM Hospital in Warangal also evoked a similar response. It is during his visit to the MGM and later the Central Jail premises, the CM announced that the MGM Hospital would be turned into a Mother and Child Care Hospital on international standards and the Central Jail premises would become a Super specialty Hospital of great repute. He also announced that the existing Jail would be shifted to a more spacious campus on the out skirts of Warangal and it would be an Open-Air Jail like the one at Cherlapally in Hyderabad. He also spoke about making the Jail a Correctional Centre.

The CM’s visits have a twin purpose. The first one is to personally examine, inspect, monitor the ongoing treatment process to the Covid patients. The second one is to have one to one interaction with the patients to remove their unfound fear about the epidemic or its adverse impact. The CM who himself came out unscathed from the Covid symptoms, is like a living example how one should overcome the Covid. His interaction with the patients often filled with his own personal experience, have caught the attention and offered immediate solace to the patients.

While thanking the medical staff for their selfless services, the CM offered several valuable practical suggestions to them. He advised them like a head of family and listen to their observations. It is again no exaggeration that within days of the CM taking the responsibility of medical and Health Ministry, there is a sea change in the ground level medical and health sector. On his appeal, people all over the State are observing the lockdown to its last letter and spirit. There is a sudden surge among the medical fraternity to do more service to the people. Peoples’ Representatives are visiting hospitals in the areas represented by them. Now confidence levels among the common people have been raised to such an extent that they are not fearful about Covid positive as they were couple of weeks ago. With his perfectly and timely visits to the government hospitals, CM KCR once again proved that he is not only a leader with vision and compassion, but had the nerves of steel and a hear that beats for his people, with love, care and affection.