Debut author Ritvik Kukreja has delved into the world of medicine and doctors to weave together a new fiction that peeks into contemporary issues affecting the community of doctors and hospitals.
Son of a leading pediatrician based in Delhi, 24-year-old Kukreja says he grew up listening to the most entertaining medical anecdotes and the most bizarre medical cases.
"I grew up listening to my father and his doctor friends. and have imbibed a lot about this profession since childhood. So I thought I had enough material for my first book," says Kukreja whose book "Beyond Hit and Miss," is now in bookstores.
Brought out by CBS Publishers and Distributors, the book revolves around the story of four medical students who embark on their medical journey with great fervour and zeal but are forced to confront different challenges in their personal and medical lives.
The author who has degree in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication says he was "strongly affected by the shocking healthcare scenario in the country.
"The abysmal state of healthcare affairs regularly make it to the newspapers and they have always rendered me helpless. Since I come from a doctor family, I have had a clearer and closer insight into these issues and therefore I have always had an urge to educate people on these pertinent subjects," says Kukereja.
An occasional blogger who always had "strong opinions and different perspective on news and happenings" Kukerja says he took almost one year to write the book which has a fast-paced storyline.
Some of the topics he has touched upon in the fiction are the country's archaic medical curriculum, the value of CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and how it can save lives as well as the difference between ideal practice and malpractice by doctors.
The author touches upon the Hippocratic oath being reduced to hypocritical oath, the poor coverage of healthcare facilities, resources, awareness and vaccination coverage, brain drain as well as poor rate of organ donation.
"I have advocated these pertinent issues while keeping the story riveting and entertaining. These issues form the undercurrent of the fiction story that I have scripted, " says the young author.
Kukreja says he researched the medical scenario in the country and read up many articles, journals and papers. "I have also visited some ramshackle healthcare centers. I have discussed them with my father, my uncle, my cousins and friends who belong to this fascinating profession," he says.
Kukreja who counts Paulo Coelho, E L James and Nicholas Sparksas as favourites is currently working on his second work of fiction.
