Tuesday 31 May 2016

The division between private and public must go: Dr Subhash Gupta

The division between private and public must go: Dr Subhash Gupta

Dr KK Aggarwal, Editor in Chief eMedinewS and IMA News in conversation with Dr Subhash Gupta, Founder and Chief of Centre for Liver and Biliary Sciences (CLBS) at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi

Dr KK: How important is the role of your family in your journey?

My family has been very supportive all through my life. In 1998, when I was a Consultant in St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds, I chose to return to India and join Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to start liver transplantation in India. At that time it did not seem like a good idea and for years had to struggle to get recognized as a talented surgeon in India. All through this period, my family stood by me and supported me on all my decisions.

Dr KK: What are your feelings on receiving the award?

Receiving this award is a great honor and I feel that I must do more to improve medical education in our country so that we end up having universal health coverage for every Indian citizen.

Dr KK: What is your message to the community?

My message to the community is that each one of us should direct efforts to improve the island that one is working in and the efforts of everyone will multiply to bring about a major change in our society.

Dr KK: What changes do you suggest with regard to health policies?

I feel major changes in health policies are needed. The division between private and public must go. Fresh graduates are not willing to work at low salaries in the government sector and patients are not willing to see new doctors in the private sector.

Nowhere in the world does this dichotomy exist. It is time that this should be changed. Those who work in the government sector must be allowed private practice. A time will come when it will be difficult to get teachers in medical colleges.

IMA, DMC and HCFI appeal to the medical fraternity to actively prescribe staying away from active and passive smoking to all their patients

IMA, DMC and HCFI appeal to the medical fraternity to actively prescribe staying away from active and passive smoking to all their patients New Delhi, May 30, 2016: According to the World Health Organization, tobacco consumption is the second leading cause of death and fourth leading cause of diseases worldwide. As per the recently released Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-India 2010), about 35 per cent of the adults in India consume tobacco in some form or the other.
“Tobacco use can trigger an onset of life-threatening non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like ischemic heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and its increasing incidence must be curbed. The Delhi Medical Council, Heart Care Foundation of India & Indian Medical Association have jointly sent out a communication to members of the medical fraternity requesting them to actively prescribe refraining the use of all tobacco products as well as to stay away from smoke filled environments to each and every patient”, said Dr Arun Gupta – President DMC and Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President HCFI and Honorary Secretary General IMA.
IMA and HCFI have also written to the Health and Finance Ministry to consider treatment of tobacco de-addiction under the list of income tax exemptions. They also want them to consider giving concessions to non-smokers Mediclaim premium and include smoking de-addiction in the Mediclaim policy.
They have also appealed to the Chief Minister and Health Minister of Delhi to tweet on World No tobacco day asking general public to exercise their rights and ask smokers not to smoke in front of them.
Recently we had also sent an appeal to Honorable Health Minister of Delhi, Shri Satyendar Jain requesting him to declare May 31st as a dry tobacco day in the city. They had recommended a complete ban on the sale of all tobacco products including cigarettes, gutka, hookah and e-cigarettes for a period of 24 hours, said Dr Girish Tyagi Registrar DMC. 
World No Tobacco Day is observed across the globe on May 31st every year. It is aimed at encouraging people to abstain from consuming tobacco for 24 hours and raising awareness about the hazardous effects of tobacco consumption on a person’s health and well-being. Tobacco use is responsible for nearly 6 million deaths each year worldwide, 600,000 of which are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
IMA & HCFI also released the following policies 1. All IMA meetings to be tobacco free 2. Charity begins at home - Doctors should not smoke or consume tobacco 3. While writing a prescription, a doctor should write 'No Passive smoking' before the prescribed drugs column 4. Tobacco consumption is a disease and has to be treated by doctors 5. Tobacco de-addiction should be covered by CGHS, PSUs, Mediclaim 6. Income Tax exemption should be given to de-addiction treatment 7. In Mediclaim, insurance premium should be lower for non smokers and should be reduced for those who quit smoking 8. IMA meetings should be e-tobacco free 9. All IMA meetings should also be hookah free

Organ Donation Awareness must start in Schools

Organ Donation Awareness must start in Schools
Dr Harsha Jauhari, Recipient of Dr BC Roy National Award in conversation with Dr KK Aggarwal How does it feel to be conferred with one of the most prestigious awards in the medical field? Many professionals have been working tirelessly and selflessly in the field of Transplantation. I can only humbly accept this award on their behalf.
Tell me about your journey so far.
After graduating from AFMC (Pune) in 1972, and completing my MS in General Surgery in 1976, from GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, I went to UK, where after FRCS, I underwent training, at the Institute of Urology, London, in Transplantation Surgery, which was still in a nascent stage. 
I came back to India in 1988 and set up Transplant Centers in three states, first at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, followed by one at Noida Medicare Center, Noida, UP and then at Artemis Healthcare Institute, Gurgaon.
What has been your experience regarding kidney transplants.
I have been involved in almost 5000 kidney transplants and have pioneered transplant in diabetes, post-CABG, HBsAg-positive and hepatitis C patients. I have also been instrumental in a number of surgical innovations, which are now standard practice.
Academically, I have presented and authored over 100 National as well as International Lectures and Presentations. I started the Transplant Program at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi. I have also trained a number of Postgraduate students in Transplant Surgery, who have then started their own programs.
You were appointed by Hon’ble Delhi High Court to review the provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THOA) 1994. Please illuminate.
Yes, I was appointed by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court to review the provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organ Act, (THOA) 1994. Many of the recommendations, including creation of National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP), were accepted and are now being implemented. I was also a member of a large member of Expert Committees on Transplants & Nephrology at Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
I am serving as a Technical Advisor (Organ Transplant) to Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, since August 2014 and helping to create, develop and operationalize the National Organ & Tissues Transplant Organization (NOTTO). I have been the President of the Delhi Nephrology Society and presently, I am President of Association of Surgeons of India (Delhi Chapter).
Tell me about your family.
My wife is a professor of English and I have two children, both of whom are lawyers.
If you had to give a message to the community, what would it be? My message to the community is very simple. It’s a one-line message: “Ang Daan Jeevan Daan / Donate Organs, Save Lives”.
Given a chance, what changes would you like to bring about in health policies?
I have been involved in many changes in organ transplant over the years. I would like to include a lecture or two, on Organ Donation in schools and colleges, to create awareness.

Monday 30 May 2016

IMA, DMC and HCFI appeal to the medical fraternity to actively prescribe staying away from active and passive smoking to all their patients

IMA, DMC and HCFI appeal to the medical fraternity to actively prescribe staying away from active and passive smoking to all their patients

New Delhi, May 30, 2016: According to the World Health Organization, tobacco consumption is the second leading cause of death and fourth leading cause of diseases worldwide. As per the recently released Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-India 2010), about 35 per cent of the adults in India consume tobacco in some form or the other.

“Tobacco use can trigger an onset of life-threatning non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like ischemic heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and its increasing incidence must be curbed. The Delhi Medical Council, Heart Care Foundation of India & Indian Medical Association have jointly sent out a communication to members of the medical fraternity requesting them to actively prescribe refraining the use of all tobacco products as well as to stay away from smoke filled environments to each and every patient”, said Dr Arun Gupta – President DMC and Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President HCFI and Honorary Secretary General IMA.

IMA and HCFI have also written to the Health and Finance Ministry to consider treatment of tobacco de-addiction under the list of income tax exemptions. They also want them to consider giving concessions to non-smokers Mediclaim premium and include smoking de-addiction in the Mediclaim policy.

They have also appealed to the Chief Minister and Health Minister of Delhi to tweet on World No tobacco day asking general public to exercise their rights and ask smokers not to smoke in front of them.


Recently we had also sent an appeal to Honorable Health Minister of Delhi, Shri Satyendar Jain requesting him to declare May 31st as a dry tobacco day in the city. They had recommended a complete ban on the sale of all tobacco products including cigarettes, gutka, hookah and e-cigarettes for a period of 24 hours, said Dr Girish Tyagi Registrar DMC. 


World No Tobacco Day is observed across the globe on May 31st every year. It is aimed at encouraging people to abstain from consuming tobacco for 24 hours and raising awareness about the hazardous effects of tobacco consumption on a person’s health and well-being. Tobacco use is responsible for nearly 6 million deaths each year worldwide, 600,000 of which are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.

IMA & HCFI also released the following policies

1.      All IMA meetings to be tobacco free
2.      Charity begins at home - Doctors should not smoke or consume tobacco
3.      While writing a prescription, a doctor should write  'No Passive smoking' before the prescribed drugs column
4.      Tobacco consumption is a disease and has to be treated by doctors
5.      Tobacco de-addiction should be covered by CGHS, PSUs, Mediclaim
6.      Income Tax exemption should be given to de-addiction treatment
7.      In Mediclaim, insurance premium should be lower for non smokers and should be reduced for those who quit smoking
8.      IMA meetings should be e-tobacco free
9.      All IMA meetings should also be hookah free 

Tobacco Spiting at public places will now be an offence – IMA


Tobacco Spiting at public  places will now be an offence – IMA

IMA has welcomed the new Tobacco Amendment Bill 2015 (COTPA) where Govt. of India has proposed banning spiting tobacco in the public place.

In a joint statement, Padma Shri Awardee Prof Dr A Marthanda Pillai, National President, and Padma Shri Awardee Prof Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony Secretary General Indian Medical association and President, Heart Care Foundation, said “the tobacco spiting in public place is one of the biggest cause of spread of infection such as TB, Pneumonia,  H1N1 Flu, Avian Flu and other ear, nose and throat  infections. TB bacilli can survive in spit for an entire day.  TB kill over two lakhs Indians every year.

IMA however wanted instead of banning tobacco spit, the Govt. of India should have banned spiting in public place as an offence.

IMA also welcomed

·         that now tobacco industry control will no more  be with  a State government but taken over by the Union Government.
·         That indirect tobacco (surrogate) advertisements and promotions  will be included as a violation of the act 
·         That the word Advertisement now has been broadened to include  marketing, promotion or  advertising through goods,  services and events
·         That apart from print, Radio, TV the ban will include, Mobile internet and any other new technologies.
·         That banning the sale- purchase of tobacco products will now be applicable to all people below 21 years. It is known that if a person is kept away from tobacco for first 21 years of life there is  very high probability  that he/she would not start tobacco consumption. Government is likely to increase this age from 21 years to 25 years for a period of time.
·         That on the packets of tobacco products apart from bold warning one would also have to disclose constituents and emissions of tobacco products instead of mentioning only nicotine and tar contents
·          That there will be designated courts for trial of tobacco related offences
·         That no loose cigarette  or tobacco products will be sold in the market.
·         That the sale of tobacco products will not be allowed within a radius of 100 yards of educational institutions. (earlier it was 100 meters.)
·         That Government will set up National Tobacco Control Organization ( NTCO)
·         That except for some designated areas in airports no non smoking areas will be built up in areas like hotels, restaurants etc.



IMA suggestions
1. That all offence under the act should be non bailable.
2. Infact IMa stand is to ban tobacco products all together and till, they are banned to make them available with a chemist as a drug
3.  Any form of spiting should be banned in public places not only tobacco spiting
4.  Doctors and celebrities should be prohibited to consume tobacco products in public
5.  Proposed fines/punishment  u/s 20 to be raised as under:-  

·         Any person who products or manufactures cigarettes or any other tobacco products, which do not contain either on the  package or on their label, the specified warning shall in the case of first conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with both, and for the second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to 10 lakhs rupees
·          Any person who sells or distributes cigarettes or any other tobacco products which do not contain on the package or on their label, the specified  warning shall  in the case of first conviction be punishable with imprisonment of a term, which  may extend to  three  years, or with fine which may extend to one lac rupees, or with both, and, for the second or subsequent conviction. With imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to ten lak rupees
·         Any person who produces or manufactures cigarettes or any other tobacco products, does not disclose to the government the constituents and emissions of cigarettes or any tobacco products shall  in the case of first conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term  which may extend to five year or  with fine  which may extend one lac subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years and with find which may extend to 5 lakhs rupees
·         Any person who produces  or manufactures cigarettes or any other tobacco products, which do not contain either on the package or on their label, the constituents and emissions, shall in the case of first conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five year or with fine which may extend one lac rupees or with both, and for the second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with find which may extend to five lakh rupees

Anti-fever drugs will not reduce fever in patients with a heat stroke

Anti-fever drugs will not reduce fever in patients with a heat stroke New Delhi, May 29, 2016: Over 300 people have died across India because of the ongoing heat wave. Heat strokes are a medical emergency, and death can be prevented if treatment is initiated early. The most common mistake that is made while treating a patient with high fever due to a heat stroke is giving him/her anti-fever medicines and waiting for it to respond, said Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony. Secretary General, IMA & President HCFI. The only treatment of very high fever in cases of heat stroke is the rapid reduction of the patient's body temperature by physical means. Rapid reduction in body temperature can be accomplished by cool or tepid ( 20-degree centigrade) bathing preferably using damp sponges. Submersion should be avoided so that body heat loss by evaporation can occur. Cooling blankets should also be avoided. When suffering from a heat stroke, the core body temperature is usually more than 40-degree centigrade and the patient rapidly develops an altered mental status. If not treated in time patients run the risk of dying of multi-organ failure. 'The difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is the presence of sweat in the former and absence in the latter', added Dr Aggarwal. Till the patient's armpits are wet, he is said to be suffering from a heat exhaustion and not heat stroke.

Passion, dedication and personal attention are keys to success, says Dr Neelam Mohan

Passion, dedication and personal attention are keys to success, says Dr Neelam Mohan

Dr BC Roy National Awards for the years 2008-2010 have been announced. We will be presenting conversations with the winners of the Dr BC Roy National Awards regularly in eMedinewS.

Today, the first of these conversations features Dr Neelam Mohan, a pioneering and dynamic Pediatric Gastroenterologist in the country in conversation with
Dr KK Aggarwal.


How does it feel to be conferred with one of the most prestigious awards in the medical field?

It’s like asking an actor getting an Oscar award or Filmfare award … it’s really a lovely feeling. You feel good that all hard work and efforts are appreciated.

What motivated you to choose an unconventional specialty like Liver transplant, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the 90s?

I was keen to pursue a career in medicine that was new, different and unique. After completing my Postgraduation in Pediatrics, I had shortlisted three choices - Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Genetics.

Cardiology was a field everyone seemed to be opting for and Genetics though an exciting field, did not involve a high degree of patient interaction. I finally opted for Gastroenterology. I was fascinated by the liver as an organ and given the lack of awareness that existed about liver diseases in the 90s, I truly believed that I could help make a difference in the field and help save lives. I was also deeply inclined towards understanding endoscopic procedures that were beyond the purview of surgeons.

What were the challenges that you faced early in your career? How did you manage to overcome them?

During the 90s, there was no training program in pediatric gastroenterology in India. At best, AIIMS did good work in that field then. I worked there for more than a year. Subsequently I decided to leave for UK to learn from the masters in that domain.

Between 1997 and 1999, I obtained specialized training in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  I vividly remember one of my senior colleagues telling me “Nobody dies of hard work”. I made this my motto and did double shifts as a ‘Clinical fellow’ during the day from 8 to 5pm and ‘Research fellow’ from 5:30 to 10:30 pm.

I returned to India in 1999 as an expert of liver transplants, pediatric liver and GI diseases. Finding a job was an arduous task then as no one was interested in my precise domain. But, I stood by my resolve, as I knew that the time had arrived to establish the field of gastroenterology and liver in the country. Luck was by my side, and finally, my relentless pursuit paid off when I got my first break at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, thanks to the vision of Dr SC Arya (Pediatrician) and Dr SK Sama (Chairman SGRH).

I worked at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for over a decade and was given the opportunity to live the dream of advancing endoscopic procedures for the betterment of health care in India. I became the first doctor in the country to initiate endoscopic procedures in newborn babies. I worked not only in diagnostics but also in therapeutic endoscopy. All these tremendously boosted my confidence and morale.

You have taken many pioneering initiatives that have brought India at the global forefront in this domain. Please illuminate.

I humbly say that I created India’s first unit of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation division at Medanta – The Medicity under support of Dr Naresh Trehan (Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta –The Medicity) & visionary in medical field.  I became a part of a horizontal expansion, and we expanded into various verticals besides liver transplantation and liver/ GI diseases such as motility, endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, manometry and diagnostic and curative work, making it the first such department in the country that provides comprehensive A to Z facilities for newborns, children and adolescents with Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases including the highest level of liver care that is Liver Transplantation. Today, we have more than 200 successful pediatric liver transplants in India and we can claim to be at par with America and UK, for results if not better.

After being credited to be India’s first doctor to initiate curative Endoscopy in newborns and young infants, I consider myself fortunate to have given several other firsts in India and world in the field of Liver Transplantation, such as

  • World’s first living related liver transplant in a baby with factor VII deficiency (2010)
  • World’s youngest domino liver transplant (2009)
  • South Asia’s first successful combined liver and kidney transplant from two live donors (2007)
  • India’s first youngest liver transplant in 3 month old baby.(2015)
  • India’s first living related liver transplant which cures a baby with Citrullinemia (2013)
  • India’s first ABO-incompatible liver transplant in a child (2012)
  • India’s first Robotic  donor hepatectomy in liver transplant in a child (2011)
  • India’s first Swap liver transplantation (2009)
  • India’s first Bloodless liver transplant (2006)
  • India’s first Successful survival of liver transplant in a fulminant liver failure (2004)
  • India’s first Successful pediatric cadaveric reduced liver transplant (2003)
  • India’s first successful Liver Transplantation in patient with both liver and lung failure due to Hepatopulmonary syndrome (2016)

In the last decade my services to the medical profession and the community have been recognized at both National and International level and this has been quite a humbling experience for me.

I have been honored with prestigious awards and accolades such as FIAP award by Indian Academy of Pediatrics and FACG by American College of Gastroenterology, SGRH Alumni Award. I have been appreciated by the medical fraternity and received the “DMA Centenary Award - 2014” given by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for my contribution in the field of child health, “ZEE Swastha Bharat Samman Award” in 2012 by the former Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Besides these, I have been honored with the Distinguished Service Award by Indian Medical Association and Eminent Doctor of the Year Award by eMedinews amongst various others.

What advice would you give to the youngsters today?

Passion, dedication and personal attention are the keys to success.

I would like to sincerely thank my family (Husband, Children, in laws and Parents), patients, their parents, my team of doctors, staff and my Mentors. 

Sunday 29 May 2016

Observe 9th of every month as “IMA Community Health Day”

IMA welcomes raise in retirement age of Doctors to 65 

Observe 9th of every month as “IMA Community Health Day”

Indian Medical Association (IMA) thanks the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on his kind consideration of the easy availability of nation’s healthcare delivery system to the common man and accepting the IMA’s long drawn demand of raising the retirement age of Government doctors to 65 across the country.

We also thank the Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda on universally raising the retirement age of Teaching, Non-teaching, Specialists & General Medical Officers also, which eventually will help in the availability of experienced medical professionals in the public sector healthcare delivery system.

The increase in retirement age will help to increase the experienced teaching faculty in medical colleges. This will improve the standards of medical education and further strengthen efforts to provide universal health care to the masses.

IMA welcomes as a step forwards in addressing the shortage of doctors to some extent in the country, especially in the rural sector.

To make the best use of the above announcement by Hon’ble Prime Minister, IMA suggests as follows:

·         Besides raising of the retirement age, new appointments in the healthcare delivery system are also required.

·         There should be a liberal policy to allow voluntary retirement of doctors, which would attract many younger generations to join the public sector healthcare delivery system.

·         Non Practicing Allowance has unfortunately been reduced in the 7th Pay Commission proposals. The same should be kept in accordance with the provisions of the 6th Pay Commission for Government doctors. 

The Prime Minister has also requested the medical fraternity to provide for consultation services on every 9th of every month to pregnant women from weaker section of the society.

IMA requests all its members to observe 9th of every month as “IMA Community Health Day” and provide free consultation to all with special emphasis on pregnant women especially from economically weaker sections of the society.

IMA also requests all its members to give free consultation on 1st July to all patients irrespective of their economic status.

Anti-fever drugs will not reduce fever in patients with a heat stroke

Anti-fever drugs will not reduce fever in patients with a heat stroke

New Delhi, May 29, 2016: Over 300 people have died across India because of the ongoing heat wave. Heat strokes are a medical emergency, and death can be prevented if treatment is initiated early. 

The most common mistake that is made while treating a patient with high fever due to a heat stroke is giving him/her anti-fever medicines and waiting for it to respond, said Padma Shri Awardee, Dr K K Aggarwal, Hony. Secretary General, IMA & President HCFI.

The only treatment of very high fever in cases of heat stroke is the rapid reduction of the patient's body temperature by physical means.

Rapid reduction in body temperature can be accomplished by cool or tepid ( 20-degree centigrade) bathing preferably using damp sponges. Submersion should be avoided so that body heat loss by evaporation can occur. Cooling blankets should also be avoided.

When suffering from a heat stroke, the core body temperature is usually more than 40-degree centigrade and the patient rapidly develops an altered mental status. If not treated in time patients run the risk of dying of multi-organ failure.

'The difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is the presence of sweat in the former and absence in the latter', added Dr Aggarwal. Till the patient's armpits are wet, he is said to be suffering from a heat exhaustion and not heat stroke.

Dr. K.K Aggarwal in conversation with Dr. Neelam Mohan, Pediatric Gastroenterologist on receiving the BC Roy National Award

Dr B C Roy National Awards for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 have been announced. We will bring their profile one by one.

Part 1: Dr. K.K Aggarwal in conversation with Dr. Neelam Mohan, Pediatric Gastroenterologist on receiving the BC Roy National Award

  1. How does it feel being conferred one of the most prestigious awards in the medical field?
It’s like asking an actor getting an Oscar award or film fare award; it’s really a lovely feeling. You feel good that all hard work and efforts are appreciated.

  1. What was your motivation to choose an unconventional career like liver transplant, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the 90’s?
I was keen to pursue a career in medicine that was new, different and unique. After obtaining my Post-Graduation in Pediatrics, I shortlisted three choices – Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Genetics. Cardiology was a field everyone seemed to be opting for and Genetics though an exciting field, did not involve a high degree of patient interaction. I finally opted for Gastroenterology. I was fascinated by the liver as an organ and given the lack of awareness that existed about liver diseases in the 90’s, I truly believed that I could help make a difference in the field and help save lives. I was also deeply inclined towards understanding endoscopic procedures that were beyond the purview of surgeons.

  1. What were the early challenges faced by you in your career and how did you manage to overcome them?
During the 90s, there was no training program in pediatric gastroenterology in India. At best, AIIMS did good work in that field then. I worked there for more than a year. Subsequently I decided to leave for UK to learn from the masters in that domain.
Between 1997 and 1999, I obtained specialized training in Pediatric gastroenterology and liver transplantation at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  I vividly remember one of my senior colleagues telling me “No body dies of hard work”. I made this my motto and did double shifts as a ‘Clinical fellow’ during the day from 8 to 5pm and ‘Research fellow’ from 5:30 to 10:30 pm.

I returned to India in 1999 as an expert of liver transplants, pediatric liver and GI diseases. Finding a job was an arduous task then as no one was interested in my precise domain. But, I stood by my resolve, as I knew that the time had arrived to establish the field of gastroenterology and liver in the country. Luck was by my side, and finally, my relentless pursuit paid off when I got my first break at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), thanks to the vision of Dr S.C. Arya (Pediatrician) and Dr. S.K Sama (Chairman SGRH).

I worked at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for over a decade and was given the opportunity to live by dream of advancing endoscopic procedures for the betterment of health care in India. I became the first doctor in the country to initiate endoscopic procedures in newborn babies. I worked not only in diagnostic but also in therapeutic endoscopy. All these tremendously boosted my confidence and morale.

  1. You have taken many pioneering initiatives that have brought India at the global forefront in this domain. Please illuminate?
I humbly say that I created India’s first unit of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation division at Medanta – The Medicity under support of Dr. Naresh Trehan (Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta –The Medicity) & visionary in medical field.  I became a part of a horizontal expansion, and we expanded into various verticals besides liver transplantation and liver/ GI diseases such as motility, endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, manometry and diagnostic and curative work, making it the first such department in the country that provides comprehensive A to Z facilities for newborns, children and adolescents with Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases including the highest level of liver care that is Liver Transplantation. Today we have more than 200 successful pediatric liver transplants in India and we can claim to be at par with America and UK, for results if not better.
After being credited to be India’s first doctor to initiate curative Endoscopy in newborns and young infants, I consider myself fortunate to have given several other firsts in India and world in the field of Liver Transplantation, such as

  • World’s first living related liver transplant in a baby with factor VII deficiency (2010)
  • World’s youngest domino liver transplant (2009)
  • South Asia’s first successful combined liver and kidney transplant from two live donors (2007)
  • India’s first youngest liver transplant in 3 month old baby.(2015)
  • India’s first living related liver transplant which cures a baby with Citrullinemia (2013)
  • India’s first ABO-incompatible liver transplant in a child (2012)
  • India’s first Robotic  donor hepatectomy in liver transplant in a child (2011)
  • India’s first Swap liver transplantation (2009)
  • India’s first Bloodless liver transplant (2006)
  • India’s first Successful survival of liver transplant in a fulminant liver failure (2004)
  • India’s first Successful pediatric cadaveric reduced liver transplant (2003)
  • India’s first successful Liver Transplantation in patient with both liver and lung failure due to Hepatopulmonary syndrome (2016)

In the last decade my services to the medical profession and the community have been recognized at both National and International level and this has been quite a humbling experience for me. I have been honored with prestigious awards and accolades such as FIAP award by Indian Academy of Pediatrics and FACG by American College of Gastroenterology, SGRH Alumni Award. I have been appreciated by the medical fraternity and received the “DMA Centenary Award - 2014” given by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for my contribution in the field of child health, “ZEE Swastha Bharat Samman Award” in 2012 by the former Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Besides these, I have been honored with the Distinguished Service Award by Indian Medical Association, and Eminent doctor of the year Award by eMedinews amongst various others.

  1. What advice you give to youngsters?
Passion, dedication and personal attention are the keys to success.


I would like to sincerely thank my family (Husband, Children, in laws and Parents), patients, their parents, my team of doctors, staff and my Mentors. 

IMA welcomes raise in retirement age of Doctors to 65

IMA welcomes raise in retirement age of Doctors to 65 

 Indian Medical Association (IMA) thanks the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modiji on his kind consideration of the easy availability of nation’s healthcare delivery system to the common man and accepting the IMA’s long drawn demand of raising the retirement age of Government doctors to 65 across the country.
We also thank the Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Sh J P Naddaji on universal raising the retirement age of Teaching, Non-teaching, specialists & General Medical Officers also which will eventually help in the availability of experienced medical professionals in the public sector healthcare delivery system.
The increase in retirement age will help in increasing the experienced teaching faculty in medical colleges. It will further improve the standards of medical education and also strengthen the efforts to provide universal health care to the masses.
IMA welcomes it as this will help to address the shortage of doctors to some extent in the country especially in the rural sector.
To make the best use of the above announcement by Hon’ble Sh. Modiji, IMA suggests as follows:-

1.       Besides raising of the retirement age, new appointments in the healthcare delivery system are also required.

2.       There should be a liberal policy to allow voluntary retirement of doctors which would attract many younger generations to join the public sector healthcare delivery system.

3.       Unfortunately, the Non Practising Allowance has been reduced in the 7th Pay Commission proposals. The same should be kept in accordance with the provisions of the 6th Pay Commission for Government doctors. 

Modi Ji has also requested the medical fraternity to provide for consultation services every 9th of every month to pregnant ladies from weaker section of the society.

Taking the lead further, IMA has requested and written to all his 2.7 lac members to observe 9th of every month as “IMA Community Health Day” and provide free consultation to all patients with special emphasis on pregnant women specially from economically weaker sections of the society.


Also, on 1st July, IMA has asked all his members to give free consultation to all patients irrespective of their economic status.

Best age to stop smoking is before the age of 40 years

Best age to stop smoking is before the age of 40 years New Delhi, May 27, 2016: Cigarette smoking is a known preventable cause of mortality. It kills more than 1 million people in India every year. More than 50% of regular smokers invariably succumb to tobacco-related illnesses such as heart attack, cancer or asthmatic lungs disease. 31st May is "NO Tobacco Day" & the Indian Medical Association and Heart Care Foundation of India will be conducting daily health awareness activities for both doctors as well as the public about the dangers of smoking tobacco and related products including e-cigarettes and hookahs", said Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, Honorary Secretary General, IMA & President HCFI. Quitting smoking before the age of 40 years is associated with a substantial decline in the number of premature deaths as opposed to quitting when older. However, giving up tobacco consumption after the age of 50 is associated with a reduced risk of death as compared to those who continue to smoke. Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 10% of all cardiac deaths in our country and it is imperative that stronger legislations and laws are put in place and National level awareness campaigns conducted to reduce the number of tobacco users in India.

Blood Donation Camps on Doctor’s Day

Blood Donation Camps on Doctor’s Day Greetings from IMA HQs As you are aware, every year, 1st of July is observed as IMA Doctors’ Day on various themes. One of the main activities is organizing nationwide Blood Donation Camps. This year also we are requesting all our state and local branches to arrange Blood Donation Camps in their respective areas. IMA in association with Abbott Healthcare Solutions Division will also be organizing Special Camps on various locations as mentioned below: Mr. Jyotishman Bourah, Head-Knowledge Management Health Care Solutions, Mobile No. +91-9619423161, email Id jyitishman.bourah@abbott.com will be get in touch with you for logistic help for organizing blood donation camps. Criteria for organizing the Blood Donation camp are as follows: • Only voluntary blood units to be collected. • Govt.-recognized regional blood centers to be approached to collect the blood. • Every blood unit to be converted into blood component. • Donor card to be given to every donor. • Picture of every donor to be taken for record. • Those who are not donating the blood but want to take pledge, separate records to be maintained. • Data of rare blood group donor to be entered into IMA Website directory www.ima-india.org/Rare • Every donor may also be given an option for - I Pledge My Organ-http://module.ima-india.org/ipmo/ Please also send us a list of donors which will be uploaded on the website of IMA. Apart from the donors from the Abbott Group, other donors can also donate at these sites. Appropriate media may be invited to cover the event. A standard press release will be forwarded to you in due course of time. You are requested to kindly arrange other blood donation camps in a befitting manner and send us the brief report of the same. For any further enquiry, please get in touch with Dr. N V Kamat, Principal Advisor, IMA HQs at +91-9810446260, Email Id: imarisenshine@gmail.com