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Silver Lining: Overcoming Adversity to Build NephroPlus- Asia’s Largest Dialysis Provider

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In 1997, Kamal Shah's world turned upside down. On his way to study in the US, Shah was completing the formalities for a student visa, which included preventive vaccinations for hepatitis, typhoid, measles, mumps and rubella. He developed a slight fever following his shots, which he dismissed as a normal side effect. Within twenty-four hours, Shah was forced to rethink. His condition deteriorated overnight, prompting an emergency rush to the hospital. Further tests revealed the an atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (AHUS). Kamal needed a kidney transplant.

A year of painful haemodialysis later, Kamal underwent a renal transplant. His mother had donated her kidney to her son, in the hope that he could survive. The surgery was unsuccessful. In the last decade and a half, Kamal has switched between peritoneal and home dialysis. It has been a painful, terrifying journey, documented painstakingly on his personal blog. That blog was the kernel for NephroPlus, a company that was born from Kamal's desire to ensure that dialysis became accessible for every patient. Kamal Shah is still on dialysis, but it has not dimmed his hope or his belief that being diagnosed with terminal kidney disease is not the end of life, nor can it prevent you from living the life you want to live. That hope has been the driving force behind NephroPlus.

Today, NephroPlus is one of Asia's leading dialysis networks with 320+ centres across 4 countries, including India, Nepal, the Philippines and Uzbekistan. Since NephroPlus offers specialized dialysis, one factor that has been responsible for the overwhelming response has been their charges, which are 30-40 per cent lower than those in hospitals like Max or Apollo. This is the story not just of NephroPlus, but of an entrepreneur like no other.

This is a unique business memoir, with a strong, moving touch of the deeply personal. Kamal writes with raw honesty about pain and fear and the darker side of healthcare in India. Yet this is also a story of faith, of grit and determination and, ultimately, of success.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2023

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Kamal Shah

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Siddhartha Agrawal.
47 reviews
November 9, 2024
Kamal Shah’s memoir is a compelling and well-written account of resilience. A dialysis patient himself and co-founder of NephroPlus, Shah infuses this book with hope. Despite facing the hardships of dialysis and watching his dreams seem to shatter before him, he holds firmly to the belief that he is still in control of his future.

Determined not to be limited by dialysis, Kamal revolutionized the industry with a unique, patient-centered approach. His conviction that dialysis patients can lead full, normal lives lies at the heart of his work. His years of research and firsthand experience revealed gaps in the dialysis industry, which he sought to address when co-founding NephroPlus with Vikram.

The book is easy to read, though some sections could have been more concise. Overall, it is a powerful, uplifting read, reminding readers that we are all the true masters of our lives.

Profile Image for Harsh Agrawal.
242 reviews17 followers
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July 9, 2023
Silver Lining: Overcoming Adversity to Build NEPHROPLUS
Author: Kamal Shah
Published by Penguin India
Genre: Business Biography
Pages: 244
MRP: Rs. 599/-

Thank you @penguinindia for a media copy of the book.

Dialysis, a life-sustaining medical procedure for individuals with kidney failure, has become a significant healthcare challenge in India. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, we face an alarming burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases, resulting in an increased demand for dialysis services. Unfortunately, India's healthcare system struggles to address the growing dialysis problem, leading to several issues and concerns.

One of the primary challenges is the lack of adequate infrastructure and resources to support dialysis treatment. Many hospitals and healthcare facilities in India are ill-equipped to handle the increasing number of patients requiring dialysis. The scarcity of dialysis machines, specialized medical staff, and properly trained technicians has created a significant bottleneck in providing timely and quality dialysis services. As a result, patients often face long waiting times or are forced to travel long distances to access dialysis treatment, particularly in rural areas where healthcare infrastructure is even more limited.

Silver Lining is an extraordinary memoir that chronicles Kamal Shah's extraordinary journey from a devastating diagnosis to founding NephroPlus, one of Asia's leading dialysis networks. Kamal's story exemplifies the indomitable human spirit and the transformative power of hope in the face of overwhelming adversity.

The book begins with Kamal Shah's life-changing experience in 1997, when a routine vaccination set off a chain of events that resulted in an atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (AHUS) and the urgent need for a kidney transplant. Readers are given an intimate glimpse into Kamal's physical and emotional turmoil during his long and painful battle with kidney disease through his candid and heartfelt narrative.

Kamal's fortitude shines through as he recounts his arduous journey of failed transplant attempts, years of dialysis, and the never-ending search for a cure. The author's personal blog, which he used to document his experiences, inspired NephroPlus, a pioneering company dedicated to making dialysis available to all patients. Kamal's unwavering determination and belief that life should not be limited by a diagnosis create a compelling narrative that holds readers' attention from beginning to end.

One of the most striking aspects of Silver Lining is Kamal's candid depiction of India's healthcare system. He sheds light on the difficulties, flaws, and inequalities that patients face, providing valuable insights into the dark side of healthcare. Regardless of the difficulties he faced, Kamal's story is ultimately one of faith, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit.

The book is expertly written, and Kamal's voice comes across as genuine and heartfelt. His story seamlessly blends personal anecdotes with business insights, creating a one-of-a-kind and captivating read. Readers can connect with Kamal on a deeply emotional level because he is open about his fears, pain, and moments of doubt.

Furthermore, the author's ability to seamlessly weave his personal story into the larger context of NephroPlus and its growth as a leading dialysis network is admirable. He not only emphasises the company's success, but also shares the challenges encountered along the way, making the book a balanced and realistic depiction of the entrepreneurial journey.

Silver Lining, in addition to its engaging narrative, provides valuable lessons and inspiration for readers facing their own adversities. Kamal's story reminds us that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times, and that with determination and perseverance, one can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Overall, Silver Lining: Overcoming Adversity to Create NEPHROPLUS is a powerful and inspiring memoir. Kamal Shah's story exemplifies the human spirit and the power of perseverance. It is a must-read for anyone looking for inspiration, hope, or a reminder that no matter what life throws at us, there is always a silver lining to be found.
1 review
May 28, 2023
Beautiful, inspiring, and just an awesome read. You’ll be hooked right away.
1 review
May 30, 2023
Inspirational journey of institution building amidst medical adversaries! Breeze to read.
Profile Image for Mili Das.
614 reviews23 followers
June 17, 2023
Silver linings
This book is great evidence of rock-solid mindset, a mind-bending story of an entrepreneur who himself was struggling for his breath and gives hope to others.
Seamlessly he tells us about his journey from how he got to get damaged his kidneys and the painstaking treatment. A very brilliantly written book, so informative and encouraging to everyone.

When Kamal was preparing to fly to the United States for his master's, unlikely others, he was infected during the routine physical health tests and the vaccination certificate session. One injection changed his entire life, his dream, and his career. But he didn't let fate defeat him. Enthralling his journey is the epitome of perseverance. He was diagnosed with terminal kidney disease. This is not the end of life. He writes his poignant and thoughtful journey with the utmost raw feelings. With his remarkable determination and the power of science, he came back to live a life like any other normal person. Salute to his determination and never-ending strength.

The detailing of his feelings, his search for medical solutions, the treatment process, and how he used the internet to search for new solutions in medicine, was a tremendous effort and need a massive determination. I was astounded while reading the book.


Nephrology how much do you know about it?
Kamal Shah is still on dialysis. His hope and enthusiasm and strong mental power became the driving force behind establishing NephroPlus. Do you know today, NephroPlus is one of Asia's leading dialysis networks with 320+ centers across 4 countries, including India, Nepal, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan. Since NephroPlus offers specialized dialysis, one factor that has been responsible for the overwhelming response has been their charges, which are 30-40 percent lower than those in hospitals like Max or Apollo. This is the story not just of NephroPlus, but of an entrepreneur like no other.

Highly recommend this moving, intense memoir to everyone who needs a push and encouragement in life. It will touch everyone, this is a different kind book.
Profile Image for Atul Sharma.
267 reviews8 followers
July 4, 2023
𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙮 𝙆𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙝

🫘 Did you knew that Eighty-five per cent of dialysis patients in India cannot access dialysis even today. Though this number used to be 95 per cent about thirteen years ago when NephroPlus was co-founded by Kamal Shah and Vikram Vipulla.

🫘 India has been a very opportunistic in nature since the very beginning. Though at the same it also falls victim to poor statistics due to underdeveloped and improper functioning of its systems. On a good note there have been some great minds who carry their individual efforts and make it a better place for the people, despite facing numerous challenges.

🫘 This book, Silver Lining catches the chronicles of the entire journey of the NephroPlus, India's largest network of dialysis centres. The inspiration for this came from the personal experiences of Mr Kamal, himself when kidney failure struck 21 year old Kamal Shah, and threatened to derail his life. From there on the idea was forged.

🫘The book is divided into two parts, containing 12 chapters, which vividly depicts the challenges, hardships, shaping moments and struggles whilst working on the idea, yet at the same time it also features the opportunities, future scopes, and the potential and limitations of the Indian Healthcare System. It shows how one can overcome adversity and work on your dream.

📌 A very inspiring and thought provoking read which thoroughly provides its readers a success story of nations largest healthcare service provider. At the same time providing a framework to understand the limitation and future endeavours of the healthcare industry in India.

📌If you want to read about Successful people and their stories, to learn how to become more opportunistic, or just simply want to read inspiring and powerful, then this might be a good fit your Bookshelf.
Profile Image for Kevin Mallik.
545 reviews30 followers
December 4, 2023
A heartfelt yet insightful book that narrates the struggles of a patient and then an entrepreneur’s journey setting up a healthcare company. The book has two narratives. First the author’s personal battle against chronic kidney failure disease, and secondly how he sets up Nephroplus, India’s leading dialysis provider healthcare company.

It all started at a tender age for Kamal Shah. In 1997 when he was a young promising student, all set for higher studies in the USA. But little did he know that fate has stored something else for him. Between his preparations to the USA, he suffered from a typical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (A HUS), sort of kidney failure. Since then his life was never the same.

He went through a kidney transplant, but that wasn’t successful. The book is written from a patient’s point of view, filled with a range of medical terms related to kidney failure. As the author, explores new ways of dialysis and struggled with old systems, he wins your heart by showing an intact wave of sheer determination. It is heartbreaking to see how a chronic disease like kidney failure can turn anyone’s life into living nightmare. Probably, Kamal’s most sought-after aspiration was to lead a normal life.

In this absolutely stunning memoir, Kamal reveals himself in a raw and unguarded manner, exposing the depths of his life’s struggle as a patient. Reading this memoir feels like engaging in a conversation with Kamal. His language is unembellished and direct, devoid of any intention to evoke sympathy. Clearly, he wrote this memoir to share his story with similar patients struggling for a proper treatment in kidney-related chronic diseases, letting them know they are not alone.
Profile Image for Isha Singh.
228 reviews12 followers
December 11, 2023
Kamal Shah draws in readers for a stunning narrative – his battle against kidney failure disorder (Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome). The medical cum entrepreneur memoir is brutally honest, inspiring, and raises hope for millions that give up easily when struck down by unmanageable disease and disorder.

Around the years of 1997 like other young students Kamal too had dreams of studying abroad. Preparation and procedure was done, but, before he could board the flight he was diagnosed with HUS. Its heartbreaking to see one’s dreams shattering in a matter of a few days just before your life’s biggest aspiration.

Though he was living in a cosmopolitan city like Hyderabad, in general India had limited technology to cure HUS properly. As I read the book slowly with care, I got to know that with kidney disease infection is the biggest fear. He underwent a kidney transplant but to no avail. After being on PD for six years, he was chokehold in Tsunami in Chennai and his exit site got infections….he was back to long painful procedure for dialysis.

Kamal’s life was full of struggle in both parts, personally dealing with medical contingency and later setting up Nephroplus, his healthcare company. Spiraling out of his own tedious experiences dealing with dreadful procedure of dialysis & hemodialysis, he sets up affordable dialysis healthcare chain across India to serve needy patients. While setting up his company, he endured hardships unflinchingly. For many the book is a raw source of motivation and inspiration grappling with chronic illness. Kamal’s narrative is absolutely a defining success for him. The book is well presented. I do however think that all health conscious and healthcare professionals can also take-away many tricks and tips from this book.
Profile Image for Ritu | Bohemian Bibliophile.
148 reviews10 followers
July 1, 2023
Silver Lining by Kamal Shah is a deeply personal and inspiring memoir. Part personal and part business memoir, it chronicles the author’s journey over the past 25 years.

The personal memoir is an intimate insight into the author’s journey from the AHUS diagnosis, a failed renal transplant, a brief respite with peritoneal dialysis that was crushed abruptly due to the 2004 tsunami, and finally home dialysis. It is raw and emotional. The author holds nothing back. The grit and determination to lead a full life. A proactive approach to his treatment.

The business memoir narrates the journey of building up NephroPlus from scratch to more than 300 centres across four countries. It is a conversation on the healthcare ecosystem in India. Commercialization, exhaustive costs, cookie-cutter treatments, and lack of standardized protocols that often result in dialysis patients getting infected with hepatitis. It is also an honest look at the startup environment. The seed funding and wheeling dealings. The business aspect of running such a wide network of dialysis centers.

Kamal Shah sought a silver lining in the dark of times. True to its name, the book serves as a silver lining to kidney patients and their families too. A testimony of personal strength in the face of adversity. Of taking on the challenges. About inspiring others. Busting the popular myth that a dialysis patient cannot lead a full life.

I would highly recommend the book. Not just as a compelling memoir but also to educate yourself about chronic kidney disease. How does one rate a journey so personal? I would give the book an all five stars for its readability and impact.
Profile Image for Neena.
107 reviews3 followers
December 20, 2023
Most people take their health for granted, till they face a serious health problem. Silver Lining is the story of how Kamal Shah, who suffered from kidney failure overcame his health problems and built Nephroplus , India’s largest Dialysis provider with his partners. A well written book providing detailed information for kidney patients and their associates, detailed review at
http://bookstack.in/2023/12/19/review...
3 reviews
December 24, 2023
I was very keen on the journey of Kidney patients on how they go about daily life as I have seen a close relative go through this journey.

Kamal you are unique, you are inspirational, the way you turn around things and build up your life is impeccable. This book is inspirational for all. It proves how you can energise and make your life beautiful despite all the setbacks life throws at you.

Big thank you for writing your journey Kamal!
Profile Image for Ramakanth Kandula.
2 reviews
July 8, 2023
The review is directly from the son of one such "Guest" at Nephroplus in Tirupati.
I could very much relate to each and every page of this book.
Amazing read! Wish Nephroplus expands both horizontally and vertically and success in all their endeavours!
Profile Image for Aayush Modi.
2 reviews
September 28, 2023
A great story which explains how unpredictable life is and how one can live a normal life by making a choice even after all the setbacks. Inspirational 🙏
Profile Image for Akash Gupta.
11 reviews
March 2, 2024
Kamal wrote it very well and smooth, his journey is full of lessons and learning about how life surprises us and we should try to hold the rope of it instead of it controlling us.
Profile Image for Namrata Ganti.
518 reviews50 followers
November 24, 2024
Silver Lining: Overcoming Adversity to Build NephroPlus- Asia’s Largest Dialysis Provider, bowled me over from the get go. This is Kamal Shah's story of resilience and strength, a narrative that talks about the other side of healthcare in India.

Kamal Shah writes with honesty and openness, talking about his life, his experiences and his drive to bring affordable dialysis facilities to the people of India. He turned his own experiences and circumstances into something bigger, thus inspiring a lot of people in the process.

I am truly in awe of his journey and the takeaways from it. Reading this book was not just informative, it was an experience and one which I will cherish. I am grateful to the author for having the courage to talk about his struggles, the thoughts that pulled him down, the ways in which he fought to come back up. It is not easy to talk about one's struggles so candidly, but Kamal shah has achieved just that.

There is a lot to learn from this book, my biggest takeaway being that it is okay to fall, but never give up. There is always something on the other side and each experience only makes you stronger. I am truly grateful to the publisher and the author for sharing this book with me and I hope we all learn something from it. It takes but a small change of thought, a seed of an idea, to make a difference!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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