A Patient or the Nation's Future on a Hospital Bed?

"Not just a patient... the future of the nation was lying on the bed."

(A story beyond sugar, BP, and textbook symptoms)

8 PM, ward round begins. On one bed, a 20–22-year-old young man. Hair disheveled. Eyes swollen. Restless body.

Thoughts in mind – "Is this the future of our country?"

Registrar: "Sir, BP normal, pulse stable... history ongoing..."

Me: "Let's take the history in a different style today!"

I asked directly: "How many days have you been using cannabis?"

The young man was a bit confused... then said – "4–5 years."

"Where do you get it?" – "Under the Pimpri bridge" "Will you get it today?" – "Yes!" "Price?" – "A pinch costs between 100–200 rupees!"

Silence in the ward. Junior doctors quiet. Nurse silent. Relatives stunned. But the patient spoke... because the question was real.

Further treatment and counselling were done – but that day, it was not just a history, it was a reality check.

What to learn from such moments – • Honest confession comes only through genuine dialogue • Direct questions reveal more than reports • Cannabis is now easily accessible and affordable – and spreading deeply

One pinch of intoxication is swallowing thousands of young lives. It was not just a 'history' – it was a 'mirror'. And all I did was... ask the right question.

Dr Ravindra L Kulkarni Just For Hearts