Dispensing Kindness and Hope: Dr. Harshvadan Maroo’s Journey Beyond Pharmacy Practice
Dr. Harshvadan Maroo is a pharmacist with awards of two Fellowships recognizing his exemplary contribution to the profession of pharmacy bestowed by Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in UK. Asked about the Fellowships, he says “They are a great honor. They also encourage me to do more societal work and to be MAD – hopefully by Making A Difference!”. Dr Harsh studied in Nairobi at Moi Avenue Primary School, Desai Road Primary School, Highridge Primary School and Duke of Gloucester School (now Jamhuri High School) before proceeding to the Chelsea School of Pharmacy at the University of London. He graduated with Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree followed by a MSc. degree in Biopharmaceutics.
Meeting Purity Nduku (green pullover) & supported students at Syumile near Kibwezi, Feb 2019
In his professional practice in Kenya, Dr Harsh joined Pfizer in Nairobi’s Industrial area in its Animal Health production facility and was also the company pharmacist. He went on to work across countries with various responsibilities – the grounding factor in his illustrious career being commitment to the patients’ well-being and working as the patients’ advocate in all the rooms he occupied. Reflecting on his journey, Harsh says that the career is a product of circumstances, opportunities, challenges, interesting changes in Africa, a chance to work with different people, and a chance to test if Right leads to the Right path and how one can play a broader role beyond just work. Historical, political and economic milestones punctuated those years and made the learning curve very interesting. “One thing such situations teach is to try and look beyond self “.
As a practicing pharmacist, Dr Harsh had an inclination to do social impact work which he demonstrated through service to the profession both in leadership of PSK where he served as Honorary Secretary, Council Member and in various committees. His vision was set on the contributions he could make in the society. He has devoted himself to tackling many healthcare, education, mentorship and social challenges facing his home country. In 2011, with many pharmacists from the Oshwal Community, Dr Harsh set up the Oshwal Pharmacists’ Group (OPG) which extended scholarships to needy Kenyans wishing to pursue a Pharmacy Degree. Through this program, OPG helped 6 Kenyans to become registered pharmacists in Kenya. Also, through exchange, mentorship, and outreach programs, many PSK pharmacists and sponsored students, have benefitted over the past few years. Some of his mentees are the curators of the newsletter name PharmXchange that PSK adopted. Basically such ‘Making A Difference (MAD)’ activities have broadened hope and outlook for many school students, families, graduates, and professionals. The activities have included educational support for the poor needy (and not necessarily top performers), tree-planting, food distribution, providing water storage tanks, furnishing school libraries, wheelchairs for needy elderly villagers near supported schools, paraplegic patients, Cerebral Palsy children, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy afflicted young boys, digital support including laptops/smart phones for college students and so on.
Dr Harsh believes that education is a basic right and a long-term antidote to poverty. He has been guided by the belief that one should be kinder to others than is necessary. “Everyone is fighting some kind of a battle, and we should be able to extend a helping hand.” He narrates the story of twelve-year old orphan Rukiya Mramba, who suffered from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma around her right eye. “We raised money for treatment and even found her a home and a school on August 26, 2010, the current Constitution Day”. Sadly, she passed away in 2012 but left Harsh resolved to continue for doing the good work. “Rukiya was special as also is physically challenged but positive Purity Nduku (now a qualified dressmaker, near Kibwezi) and many others around us”. His other activities included participation in a road safety foundation.
Dr Harsh is active in voluntary support work for Kenyan patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and related atypical Parkinsonism like Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). He says that PD awareness has begun to slowly increase. There is a great need for having more neurologist physicians in the country and in the counties, as this will help earlier diagnosis. Other PD needs include less expensive PD medicines, inclusion in the new health insurance fund and disability cover and accepting that PD is affecting a large number of Kenyans yet to be diagnosed. The fact that PD does not spare low-income groups, is the key take-home message for all health planners & service providers. Perhaps there is a good case for importation of much less expensive Levodopa/Carbidopa combinations by one or two importers to start with. Possibly local manufacturing, one day.
Dr Harsh serves on PSK’s Committee of Fellows. He thanks his wife Dr Rekha Maroo, for her support in their life journey.
Two pharmacists during a catch-up meeting with Roger Reeve, a Parkinsons Disease patient and his family