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Interview: Mike Keighley, retired surgeon
‘The only air-conditioned place is the surgical theatre’
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| I certainly didn’t consider gardening in my retirement plan, but have always been rather keen on poetry and music. Then, of course, I might have made a lot of money in private practice. As it is, I have spent my time offering my services to the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore (India), funding my trips by being an expert witness in court back here.
My area of expertise [bowels] does not have the same sex appeal as some medical work, but it’s vital. This is probably why we have learnt to be good communicators — a reputation not all surgeons have. Those of us in the field have been trying to raise awareness of bowel disease and drum up national support. It’s one of those untalked-about areas of illness, but is a universal phenomenon.
It was a chance meeting with a vascular surgeon whom I used to row with that led to my hearing about Vellore. He had retired early, and had been out there and seen the need. He thought I would make a great contribution.
On my first visit, I was captivated by the spirit of the place. From a patient perspective, it is enormous, whereas the medical college is very small. There are about 60 students in each year, 30 of each sex; more than two-thirds of these are supported by local churches. Combining part of a sabbatical and a holiday, I spent ten weeks there, thinking and praying: could I do this in retirement? I concluded that working on a specialist surgical unit trying to establish itself would be terribly exciting.
You slowly get used to the heat. At this time of year, it’s only about 30° Celsius: by June, it is 50°. The only air-conditioned place is the surgical theatre.
Trains arrive in Vellore every morning, bringing people from far and wide for specialist treatment. It is quite a sight. In a year, the CMC treats approximately two million out-patients and 85,000 in-patients, about a third of whom cannot afford to pay.
About 30 per cent of CMC’s work is for the local people within a 50-mile radius. The rest come from all over the country, particularly the Bengal states around Calcutta. The medical world can be very corrupt in India, and we receive patients who have been told many lies. We try to provide the best facilities we can: there are TVs everywhere to help patients endure long waits.
The hospital runs its own charity for those who can’t pay, which is where our “Person to Patient” scheme fits in. We recently had a sponsored walk in my own village, Tanworth in Arden, where we raised £1000; this will pay for There is a lot of downtime out there, when I am not operating or offering advice. 50 patients. My church, St Mary Magdalene’s, has been supporting the scheme for a long while.
So I catch up on my legal work as an expert witness. I am known because of my book on colon and rectal surgery. It is in its third edition; so I have to keep up with that as well. I am also a lay Reader; so the time gives me a good chance to keep up with my theology. I have also bought a bike to explore the surrounding villages and I like to paint.
One of my favourite books is A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, a novel all about the huge poverty, social inequality, and lack of integrity in India. I am also a great fan of anything by George Eliot.
I don’t think this is what my wife Margaret envisaged I would do in retirement, but she has been very supportive. She has come out to Vellore, but, as a GP, she doesn’t have the same amount of spare time. We have two children. Neither became doctors despite their parents — very wise — although one is a tree surgeon. We have three grandchildren, and one on the way. Seeing the family is something I really miss when in India.
As a child, I was interested in biology from a very early age; so it was quite natural I became a doctor. But it was different then: it was not just about top grades, but about being a team player and what you could contribute. I think there should be more of that.
My biggest choice in life (apart from marrying my wife) has been finding a personal faith. I was rather a rebel when I was younger. I was sent to Monkton Combe School, which has a Christian foundation. We have now established a gap-year programme from there to work at CMC.
I would like to be remembered for my time and work in India.
I have been greatly influenced by two people in the medical world: Professor John Goligher, who taught me so much about my area of surgery, and Dr Edgar Stephens, who helped me in my first surgical job. The Revd Tony Waite, former Vicar of St George’s Leeds, was also very important in my Christian life. He had a wonderful faith, and was such a normal guy. He used to lead these very popular sailing holidays.
I always remember a sermon by John Robinson. He was preaching at my parents’ church in Yorkshire. I was interested, because of his famous book Honest to God. He died about four months later, and much of his talk was about dying. It took great guts.
In the Bible, I love the Psalms. They are musical as well as prayerful, and there is much about waiting on God.
I get angry when people do not tell the truth. I do not like double standards. I am probably happiest up a mountain with my watercolours.
For spiritual inspiration, the chapel at CMC is a very special place for me. The young medical students regularly take services there. I am captivated by their faith.
I would like to get locked in a church with Nelson Mandela. I was working in Cape Town at the time he was released from jail. He has known so much suffering. I would like to pray with him.
Mike Keighley was talking to Rachel Harden. For more information, email keighleycolo@btinternet.com or visit www.cmch-vellore.edu. |
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