Faith does work ...whether on God, man or stone...

June 2001. Nairobi airport. Dr. Cherian & his colleagues Dr. Robert Coelho, Dr. Benjamin Ninan and Mr. Bhaskar were returning home after completing 13 surgeries in Mater Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Doctors from all over the world particularly from US and UK travelled there regularly to perform “charity surgeries”. 

Dr. Cherian and his team were returning home after their stint.  A sudden panic ensued when a critically ill patient was being carried out of the aircraft with his young wife and 2-year-old son.  He was to be taken to Mater Hospital in an ambulance. Dr. Cherian learnt that the patient was on his way to Chennai from Uganda. The patient was suffering from severe leak of his aortic valve due to an infection, and his blood pressure reading was 120/0. 

Dr. Cherian took charge and convinced everybody that emergency surgery was crucial.  The young family strongly believed that only Dr. Cherian could save his life.  It was fortunate that the doctor and his team could take charge much earlier than the scheduled.  

At Mater hospital, the ICU was full and the patient could not be admitted.   Dr. Cherian’s only concern was the patient. He asked his friend Dr. Gikonyo, who was the personal Cardiologist for the President of Kenya to intervene and the patient was admitted. “With “Zero” diastolic pressure, the patient was near death.  I had to fight to convince everyone to start treatment. There was just one chance to save him and I wanted to try that. The wife’s faith in me spurred me on”, says Dr. Cherian. 

The “SubAcute Bacterial Endocarditis” infection necessitated the ideal valve, a homograft taken from another human.  Fortunately, Dr. Cherian had carried one with him from Chennai as it was a life-saving necessity. The previous surgeries had not required it. The surgery was performed successfully. 

The doctors flew to Chennai, satisfied that they had saved a life “6 days. 2 surgeons. 13 surgeries.  In a foreign land.  Unbelievable!” exclaimed Dr. John Kariyuki, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, Mater Hospital on the Indian Team’s feat.  The 6 doctor, 2 nurse American team had performed just 4 surgeries in 8 days. 

Dr. Cherian says, “The numbers were huge, but we managed 13 surgeries and attended to an emergency. The aortic valve replacement with homograft was a rare surgery, the first one in Kenya. Commitment is contagious.  If we see one good man forging ahead with dedication, even the most lethargic is energized.” 

Two months later, the patient and his wife visited Dr. Cherian at Madras Medical Mission hospital, Chennai.  With no words to thank the Lord and Dr. Cherian, they came to Chennai to tell him in person he was delivering an unparalleled service.