Neha Mehta, the managing trustee at SRCC Children’s Hospital in Mumbai, has had an extensive career in healthcare and now works for children’s welfare. She juggles her time with her young daughters and the hundreds of children’s health she takes care with one guiding advice—to be empathetic. We caught up with her to find out how she switches off, bounces back from a slump and her love of travel.
On what has changed in her life since working as a managing trustee with SRCC Children’s Hospital:
I used to work in healthcare before I joined SRCC in 2012. Having been here for 8 years now, one thing which has changed in me is this sense of gratitude that I have for everything. We have over 500 kids coming to us in a month at the hospital and at the rehab centre for different backgrounds, and seeing their daily struggles for matters we don’t bat an eyelid for really changes your own daily thinking.
On how she unwinds:
I love running and play sports with my girls. Both are football lovers and love the outdoors. Traveling is another family hobby. I have promised a beach holiday to the girls (her daughters, aged 10 and 14) next!
On what needs to change about healthcare:
The urban hospitals need to immediately organise outreach programs to rural areas. If each hospital takes up two or three surrounding villages, it can drastically change the healthcare scenario in the country. Medical insurance needs to find ways to deeper penetrate into the country. These two would be game changers for the healthcare industry.
On her most cherished career advice:
A true leader is the one who makes leaders out of others—to carry on the work that we are doing we must prepare the next generation to shoulder the responsibility well.
On one rule that applies to success:
I think as you grow older, you make your own rules. My one rule has been—no judgement.
On how she bounces back from a slump:
I go for walks or for a run or two to clear my head. Also, reading funny and light books really help. I love watching Jane Austen movies with my older daughter and we have a good laugh imitating the British accents. Something as simple as that cheers me up.
On being a planner or going with her impulse:
I am a total planner! My husband jokes with me all the time, saying “what time is bedtime in your schedule today?” I am learning to be more relaxed about time and taking things as they come.
On her favourite destination in the world:
Currently, it is Bhutan. We were there in December and the memories are fresh in my mind. The beauty and the serenity, the way Bhutanese people live; their love for simple things in life.
On the last movie she watched and book she read:
Movie—Lion. It really brought home the fact that adoption can change and impact someone’s life so drastically.
Book—Ikigai. A simple notion that one has to just lead a purposeful life to be happy; you can be doing anything. This is my new mantra and I plan to live by it everyday.
Okinawa is next on my travel wishlist; it is a place which has the most number of centenarians living and leading a happy life.
