| S VENKATESHWARAN |
Dr. Prof. R.S. Hariharan, who is a renowned diabetologist and the director of Hariharan Institute of Diabetes and Hariharan Diabetes & Heart Care Hospital, located in Nanganallur, Chennai, has a habit of accomplishing many firsts. He started with his SSLC exams where he stood first and in the course of his career, became a trailblazer in diabetes care.
Dr. Hariharan established several firsts in Nanganallur, including a state-of-the-art coronary care service, an ECG machine, a dialysis unit, a stroke unit and a diabetic foot care unit.
He was also the first to introduce cardio-diabetology as a specialty in Tamil Nadu.
Dr. Hariharan, born on October 16, 1947, stood first in his S.S.L.C exams in 1962 and earned his MBBS degree from JIPMER, Pondicherry, in 1970. A merit-cum-means scholarship holder, he completed his MD in Internal Medicine at Madras Medical College in 1979 under the guidance of Prof. Sam G.P. Moses. He proudly recalls being mentored by Prof. Moses, a pioneer in diabetology.
Dr. Hariharan has had an illustrious career. He served in the Indian Armed Forces as a short-service Commissioned Medical Officer and saw active duty during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Later, he joined the Tamil Nadu Medical Service, where he retired as the Head of the Department of Diabetology at Madras Medical College in 2005.
He is a trailblazer in diabetes care. His hospital, started in 1989, remains a beacon of hope for diabetes and heart care patients.
He was also the first to introduce cardio-diabetology as a specialty in Tamil Nadu. For his contributions, he received numerous awards, including the prestigious Nalgouda Award in 2011 and the Lifetime Achievement Award at MG D Con 2024.
Dr. Hariharan’s wife, Dr. H. Kamala, is a microbiologist and the managing director of the hospital. Their son, Dr. R.H. Sundar, is a cardiologist, and his daughter-in-law, Dr. S. Latha, specializes in anaesthesiology and critical care. His daughter, Dr. R.H. Lakshmi, is an internal medicine expert with a focus on diabetes.
Dr. Hariharan, along with his family of accomplished medical professionals, has been serving the community with exceptional dedication for decades.
Delving into diabetes
In this second part of the article on Dr. Prof. R.S. Hariharan, Nanganallur Speaks thought it appropriate to pick his brain on diabetes as he is a renowned diabetologist and the director of Hariharan Institute of Diabetes and Hariharan Diabetes & Heart Care Hospital, located in Nanganallur, Chennai.
As he completed his MD in Internal Medicine at Madras Medical College in 1979 under the guidance of Prof. Sam G.P. Moses, he proudly recalled being mentored by Prof. Moses, a pioneer in diabetology.
So, we shot some questions at him:
When asked about India being called the ‘Diabetes Capital’, Dr. Hariharan clarified that China has now surpassed India in diabetes cases. He attributed the high numbers in both countries to their large populations.
When we asked if diabetes was reversible, Dr. Hariharan smiled and said, “Diabetes is not reversible. Like poverty, it cannot be eradicated but can only be controlled.”
He explained that individuals on the borderline of diabetes can manage their condition through significant lifestyle changes. He emphasized that heredity plays a major role in diabetes, quoting the father of diabetology, Dr. Joslin, as he remarked, “Heredity loads the gun, but obesity pulls the trigger.”
He pointed out that changing lifestyles, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits are the main reasons for the rise in diabetes cases. In earlier times, snacks were occasional treats prepared at home, but now they are consumed daily. Watching TV often comes with snacking, adding to the problem, he pointed out.
Dr. Hariharan compared managing diabetes to a chair with four legs: diet, exercise, medication and periodic testing. He stressed that all four are essential for a balanced life.
“In the past, we had limited medications, so people were more cautious about their diet. Now, with so many options, people think they can eat anything and rely on pills, which is not true,” he explained.
Dr. Hariharan highlighted the rapid advancements in diabetes treatment, including upcoming weekly insulin injections. However, he cautioned that medications are not a substitute for healthy living. “Even with many medicines available today, healthy food habits and regular exercise are mandatory,” he said.
Gestational, Drug-Induced and Stress Diabetes
Dr. Hariharan noted that Tamil Nadu is a pioneer in managing gestational diabetes. He also explained that drug-induced diabetes can occur as a side-effect of certain medications, especially in individuals predisposed to the condition. Stress-related diabetes is usually temporary, with sugar levels spiking during stress or heart attacks but returning to normal afterward.
Diet recommendations
When asked about dietary habits, Dr. Hariharan advised reducing rice consumption and including more fibre-rich vegetables like plantain pith. He recommended solid, chewy foods like chapati over liquid forms like wheat porridge. Avoiding saturated fats and consuming unsaturated oils in moderation is also important, he said.
Dr. Hariharan urged everyone, especially diabetics and senior citizens, to adopt a healthy lifestyle and undergo periodic tests for kidney and heart health. “With the right approach, you can live a long and healthy life,” he smiled.
Dr. Hariharan’s dedication and insights continue to inspire and guide the community, making him a true pillar of Nanganallur.
