Koti ENT hospital gets first lady boss

Hyderabad: The 47-year-old Government Ear Nose and Throat hospital at Koti has got its first lady superintendent, Dr S. Indira Devi, who was appointed on December 1, 2013.

Fewer women choose to specialise in ENT. When Dr Devi opted for ENT in 1982, there were very few takers for the course as women MBBS doctors mostly preferred gynaecology or paediatrics.

Dr Devi was interested in the developing discipline of endoscopy at the time. She said, “Research and development in ENT at that time was a fascination and I am glad that I opted for it.

Although the facilities and equipment were limited, developments since then have been tremendous. Currently, the technology of voice testing to detect ailments or tumours has come to the fore, and I am keen to set them up in the hospital.”

Dr Devi completed her post-graduation in this very hospital and has worked there for 18 years. 

A priority for her, now, is the ‘unfit’ certificate given by the GHMC to the old hospital building which houses the out-patient department, diagnostics, audiology, operation theatre and also administration department.

“We have appealed to the state government to look into the issue. With 1,000 patients in the out-patient department every day, managing the crowd is difficult. Also, during summer and the rainy season, they have to stand in a queue outside without any shade,” Dr Devi said.