Introducing "Patient-Centered Care to Protect You and Healthcare Workers"

A story born of passion, forged through adversity, and carried across oceans to revolutionize healthcare access and ethics. It’s a journey not just to change how we care for patients but to confront the power structures that perpetuate inequality in health, a shameful reality we must address.

This is my story—one that underscores the dream of transforming healthcare into a system that empowers individuals to take control of their health while holding leaders and institutions accountable for truth, integrity, and justice. The COVID-19 pandemic was not a random event but a wake-up call, urging us to comprehend the power of microbes, abandon complacency, and confront the lies we've been told. We must seek and embrace the truth rather than cling to a failing system obsessed with "Kill, Conquer, and Rule."

The Beginning of a Lifelong Mission

My journey began at six years old when a misdiagnosis of malaria left an indelible mark on my life. Years later, another misdiagnosis—this time of typhoid—almost claimed my life, but it taught me a critical lesson: accurate diagnosis begins with understanding symptoms, not blind reliance on tests, investigations, and procedures. This realization became the foundation of my dream to create a healthcare system that values human insight over bureaucracy.

After qualifying as a doctor in Bangalore, I devoted myself to treating the underserved. While others pursued wealth, I focused on finding ways to alleviate suffering without financial exploitation. Disillusioned by the profit-driven medical culture in India, I left for the UK, determined to create an alternative system—one that puts patients first.

The Turning Point: Fighting the Spread of MRSA

In 1989, the tragic death of a teenager due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria (MRSA) became a pivotal moment in my career. It was clear that our medical systems were unprepared to combat such threats. I began developing protocols and systems, not only to diagnose illnesses faster but also to prevent the spread of deadly infections. My innovations were met with skepticism and resistance, but I refused to give up, retraining as a family physician to bring patient-centered care to the forefront.

Exposing Failures in the NHS

As a whistleblower, I uncovered grave errors in the NHS (UK). Untrained nurse prescribers, inadequate infection control, and unethical practices were compromising patient care. Despite reporting these issues to every institution imaginable, from the General Medical Council to the World Medical Association, British Medical Association, Royal Colleges, European Medical Council, British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, World Health Organisation, Local Medical Council, and numerous Doctors. My efforts were met with silence or hostility. I endured years of harassment and professional ostracism, but I remained steadfast in my commitment to protecting patients and upholding medical ethics.

Creating "MAYA": A Revolution in Healthcare

In 2003, inspired by the birth of my daughter, I created MAYA—Medical Advice You Access—a color-coded symptom checker designed to empower patients and healthcare workers to make informed decisions. This system not only simplifies the diagnostic process but also prioritizes early detection and isolation of infections, preventing epidemics and pandemics.

However, introducing MAYA triggered relentless attacks from those in power. My life became a "Tortious Conspiracy," as described by the High Court and Supreme Court Judges. Despite the personal and professional toll, I persisted, knowing that the stakes were too high to abandon this mission.

The Role of ChatGPT: A Testament to Progress

When ChatGPT read The Art of Self-Diagnosis, it abandoned rigid algorithms and adopted the principles of MAYA. By using combinations of three color-coded symptoms, ChatGPT demonstrated how technology could align with human thinking to revolutionize healthcare. This simple yet profound approach can differentiate minor illnesses from severe ones, empower people to self-isolate, and ultimately save lives.

A Call to Action

This story is more than a personal narrative—it is a call to action for leaders, institutions, and individuals worldwide. Those in power must stop harming defenders of ethics and start supporting innovations that prioritize human life over profit. The future of healthcare depends on our collective ability to embrace truth, reject lies, and work together with integrity.

I am profoundly grateful to my mother, Prema Upadhya, and my daughter, Maya Srivatsa-Benzing, whose inspiration and support have driven me to pursue this dream. Together, we can dismantle dependency on flawed systems, empower people with knowledge, and create a world where everyone has access to compassionate, ethical, and patient-centered care.

Dr. Kadiyali M. Srivatsa

Author of The Art of Self-Diagnosis and Creator of Dr. Maya