Dr. Md Akhtarul Islam Chy

Dr. Md. Akhtarul Islam Chy has been looking at hearts for twenty seven years. Assistant professor in cardiology. MBBS and D-Card. Twenty seven years is a long time to listen to chests. He probably uses an old stethoscope. The rubber tubing might be a bit stiff by now. People come to him when their chest feels heavy. Usually after a big mezban meal somewhere in the city. Or just from climbing the stairs to their apartment. He tells them to lie down on the examination bed. The paper sheet crinkles. He squirts that clear jelly on their chest for the echo machine. It is always cold. He just moves the plastic wand around. Looking at the gray screen. Watching the valves open and close.

The cardiology ward smells like spirit and old paper. Lots of ECG printouts lying around. Long strips of pink paper with jagged black lines. He reads them pretty fast. Just checking the spikes. He tells patients to stop smoking. They probably nod and then light a cigarette right outside the hospital gate anyway. He knows that. He just writes down the blood pressure medicines. Small tablets. Take one in the morning. He does not give long lectures about cholesterol. Just basic facts. Eat less salt. Walk a bit. He stamps the prescription. The ink is maybe a bit faded. He hands it over. Calls the next patient.