Welcome to another Docscopy session. Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta of MedBound Times had the opportunity to have an exciting conversation with Dr. Sanchika Gupta.
Dr. Sanchika Gupta is currently working as a project manager at ECHO India. She completed her Bachelor's in Ayurveda from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (2010) and her PGDPHM from the Indian Institutes of Public Health, India (2015). She also completed Project Management for Development Professionals (PMDPro) Level 1, APMG International in February 2018.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What is your current job profile?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: The company name is ECHO, India and my designation is Manager - Projects.
Description: ‘Strategizing, micro-planning, and implementing capacity-building programs on different themes for healthcare workers through the ‘ECHO model’.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What is the best part about your job?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: The current work involves multiple activities but foremost, it includes multi-stakeholder engagement and liaisoning with healthcare workers for their capacity-building needs. Also, using the technology platforms for bridging the gap in disseminating healthcare knowledge and best practices is an added advantage towards reducing the digital divide among the community.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: Yours is an unconventional path, what made you choose this line of profession?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: I wanted to give back to society and its emerging needs. Working towards my commitment gives me immense satisfaction and a good night's sleep.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What do you feel about the healthcare system with respect to mother and child health?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Over the last few decades, the country has made several remarkable efforts in improving the quality of care for the MCH like JSY, JSSY, Immunization, Nutrition, MPV, etc. The steps need consistency, continuous quality improvement initiatives, and addressing emerging needs and requirements. The task is huge considering the ground-level challenges, but significant work is lined up.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: How can the current system be made better?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: This is a tough question to answer. But I would certainly say that women being the center of the family and helping women in their life stages through a holistic approach is a way forward. An educated and healthy woman will nurture the entire family and community.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: Any interesting projects you’re working on recently?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: In my current capacity, along with many other initiatives, I am focusing on capacity building of healthcare workers on common cancer screening and awareness with partner organizations.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What are the challenges you face in your day-to-day professional scenario?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Matching the quality of work with the timelines is the key to delivering the expected results. Every day the excitement of work revolves around these core components. Each day is a new learning opportunity.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What challenges have you faced specifically during COVID?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Initially, during the lockdown days, it was very gloomy and uncertain. With the passage of time, it improved a bit. I would say it is better not to remember those days.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: Did you always want to be a doctor?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: This was certainly true. The inspiration came from my father, who happens to be a doctor.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What are your other fields of interest?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: During Lockdown days, I developed unusual affection for Twitter. Over the period of time, I have learned to keep myself involved with it within limits.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: Any interesting projects you’re working on recently?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: In my current capacity, along with many other initiatives, I am focusing on disseminating good, replicable, and innovative practices of Tobacco control in India among the healthcare workers with the partner organization.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What is your best memory?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: My childhood days were very different from today’s life. If I get a chance to live those moments again, that will instill new energy in me.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: A professional achievement that you’re proud of?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: I am still learning and have a quest for it. That is something I think I have achieved thus far.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What are your hobbies?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Searching for an interesting one.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: Languages you speak
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Hindi and English
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: What advice would you give to budding doctors?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Patience and perseverance are the only keys to the work field you have selected.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: How can budding doctors contribute to society? Or to improve healthcare services?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Budding doctors are in a crucial phase of their life and society as a whole. What they learn will deliver in the future. You are an investment and will give fruits at later stages. So, currently, just concentrate and learn to the best level of your knowledge and competence.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: Your plans for the future?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Life is a long way to go. Would take up things based on the evolving conditions.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: If your life were a movie, what would it be called?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: This seems interesting. I would like to make my own movie.
Dr. Ruchi Rathi Gupta: A quote you may relate to?
Dr. Sanchika Gupta: Our ancient scriptures are full of knowledge and wisdom, and one just needs to go back and turn on the previous pages. One quote that I always thought about and stepped into is:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
(श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता २-४७)