Written by Dridhata Silwal
In Nepal’s healthcare system – where the fundamental need for quality medical services is often overshadowed by irregularities, corruption, and excessive costs – Dr. Sumitra Gautam stands tall as a remarkable icon of integrity and determination. Her journey is inspiring, marked by countless setbacks, unwavering courage, and an unyielding sense of hope. Dr. Gautam’s leadership has been pivotal in reshaping the healthcare landscape across different regions of Nepal. Yet, it was far from an easy journey. A respected gynecologist by training, she offers us profound insights into the power of an individual’s dedication to a higher cause.
Restoring faith in the healthcare system
In a country where people do not have faith in medical practitioners, many who can afford it travel to developed countries for medical services. However, Dr. Gautam’s sense of integrity and professionalism is restoring the trust of local people in health services – even in remote areas. Her impact is so effective that locals seek her out. At the beginning of her leadership journey at Khajura Primary Health Centre in Banke, only 30 to 40 a day visited for medical services. Through her efforts, the number has increased to 300 to 400, and she has consistently contributed to making an impact in every location she has been assigned to. 
Bhaktapur Hospital, which is 113 years old and the second oldest facility in the country, was grappling with a multitude of issues. Within a year of Dr. Gautam being assigned as the Medical Superintendent of Bhaktapur Hospital, it emerged as the leading healthcare institution in Bagmati Province, offering a wide range of medical services once considered impossible. The remarkable change didn’t stop at infrastructure; it extended to the perceptions of the hospital by the community. A hospital feared by locals for its sub-par service became a preferred facility because of the reforms she introduced. Her leadership has brought transformation wherever she’s been assigned. Her visionary leadership has helped build sustainable systems with little to no space for corruption to take hold. This has shown how solid system overhauls can be the driving force for introducing effective deliverables in any institute.
Threats and courage
However, not every selfless act has had positive outcomes for Dr. Gautam. While on her academic journey, her professors encouraged her to work in the capital of Kathmandu to hone her skills, but she had a different dream of giving back to the community. The childhood influence of her father, who served the community relentlessly, ignited her dream to work in remote areas where there is a lack of proper health infrastructure. She was initially assigned to Siraha Hospital, which required establishing proper systems and processes to increase efficiencies. The hospital didn’t have senior doctors, and patients were often referred to private clinics for treatment. The hospital staff would also leave early without completing their duties. 
Dr. Gautam’s work in making the government hospital more accessible and productive threatened both medical practitioners in the public and private sectors as a result. She was personally attacked, with her property damaged in an effort to intimidate her. During her next assignment at Sindhuli Hospital, she was attacked yet again by suspects with vested interests in the poorly functioning medical sector. Despite the challenges, Dr. Sumitra didn’t flinch in her intentions. She continued holding staff accountable for their actions, improving the health services in remote areas of Nepal, and making facilities more efficient and accessible.
Bold, empathetic leadership
From these examples, it’s clear that Nepal’s health system is grappling with corruption. Medical ‘mafias’ backed by political leaders have further created monopolies in the sector. Dr. Gautam has experienced this first-hand, with her actions threatened and her leadership positions undermined. And yet, her work has consistently been excellent and people-centric. Whether building timely responses for COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit at Bhaktapur Hospital or bringing the Chief Minister Health Check-Up program to life, her leadership skills have proved invaluable. She became a driving force for her co-workers and created a network of support mechanisms to face the challenges she encountered. Her dedication won people’s hearts, making her an Integrity Icon and sidelining the intentions of wrongdoers.
Dr. Gautam’s journey is a remarkable testament to the power of integrity and unwavering commitment to a noble cause. Her bold and empathetic leadership in establishing proper healthcare systems has reshaped the landscape, making quality healthcare more accessible to the people of Nepal. She stands as a symbol of hope and change, showcasing the potential for individuals to make a difference and restore faith in the public service.