Book Review - The Smiles Behind The Mask: Heartwarming Stories from Apollo Hospitals

Title - The Smiles Behind The Mask: Heartwarming Stories from Apollo Hospitals

Genre - Non-Fiction

Publisher - Harper Collins

ISBN - 978-93-5489-733-7

This is a collection of heart-touching 50 real stories that happened across various Apollo Hospital branches in India. While there is some notion about various hospitals in general with regards to the costs involved, not many of the good deeds which these hospitals do has ever come into the limelight. It is really a worthwhile effort for the Apollo Hospitals themselves to come out with a book that had the compilation of 50 such real-life incidents.

I have given a glimpse of this book by mentioning some 10 incidents. These were narrated in an interesting way just like a story which makes it an interesting read and yes, those who were responsible to go out of the box to help the ailing patients and the hospital as a whole needs a definite appreciation for all the good deed since 50 is not a small number and I am also sure there are more than those which had made its way to this anthology.

Kolkata - Kavita Saraf hoisted the flag in the morning when her operation was scheduled for noon.

Nashik - Baby Anushka. The orphaned baby got operated on after the Apollo team - Rashmi, Yamini & Sandeep Shinde(PRO) arranged for funds. ₹2.5L came from CM’s Relief Fund & the rest of ₹1.7L was waived off by Dr. Sanjay Vekhande & the Apollo team.

Vanagaram, Chennai - Dr. Ananth Natarajan. Covid -19. Had multiple complications but the team rescued him.

Vinita’s final wishes were fulfilled before her demise.

Apollo BGS Mysore - Ganesh. Patient with hearing disability. How he was treated is a story in itself.

Kamini - despite being involved in an accident, delivered a healthy Baby boy. The baby shower happened inside the hospital - at Ganapathi temple. First to get the privilege. The management has decided to do it for all 8-month pregnant women

Anupama Ramesh - visiting Chamundeswari temple despite being operated.

Mahesh Mohite - Guitarist. Missed it during his covid times and how this was determined and he gets the help.

Chennai Apollo, OMR - Mr. Rajan Pillai was Overdue of covid-19 dose by two days. The team made a visit and administered it without charging extra for the home visit. They do this to terminally ill & elderly patients on non-crowded weekdays without affecting other patients.

Chinthan - gets help from Sister Pushpalatha, Director of Nursing(Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai). Arranged the critical Remdesivir.

This book according to me is not a PR gimmick but a true account of so much that has happened all these days without anyone of us knowing about it. As they say, unless and until things are highlighted, they would always remain in the dark and the effort to bring the true account to the limelight and how it has helped or brighten or brought in a change in the lives of many is an appreciable one.

This book is available on Amazon