Tuesday 14 June 2016

Hard work and dedication have no substitutes

Hard work and dedication have no substitutes Dr KK Aggarwal, Editor in Chief eMedinewS and IMA News in conversation with Dr Prof CN Purandare, renowned Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and President, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). Dr CN Purandare has been honored with Dr BC Roy National Award for the year 2009 under the category of ‘Outstanding services in the field of Socio-Medical Relief’. About Dr Prof CN Purandare Prof CN Purandare was born on 18-12-1950 in Mumbai. He had his medical education in TN Medical College, Mumbai and is the recipient of numerous degrees and Fellowships. Dr. Prof CN Purandare is an educator par excellence with 38 years of teaching experience in Medical Colleges in India and Ireland. Passionate about Medical education, he rose through the ranks to become Unit Head in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, a position that has given him a thorough knowledge of the policy issues and challenges in achieving academic excellence. An astute administrator, he has shaped the growth trajectory of the Mumbai Obs/Gyn Society (the largest Obs/Gyn city based society in India) for 9 marathon years from 1995 onwards, having held several leadership positions including that of President in 2003. From leading a city-based society he moved to the national scene when he was elected Secretary General of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) for the years 2004-2008. He later rose to be President (2009-10). At FOGSI he was instrumental in giving the organisation an academic focus, pioneered various national development projects, created self-sustainable systems, and firmed-up financial policies. An asset to FOGSI Professor Purandare sourced funding and cemented national and international partnerships with the Health Department of the Government of India and State Governments, WHO, UNICEF, MacArthur Foundation, AMDD, IPAS, PSI and JHPIEGO. He has also established FIGO, AOFOG, SAFOG and RCOG sessions at annual conferences of FOGSI for better interactions between sister organizations. During his years at the helm he not only turned around the fortunes of FOGSI from a loss making organization to a profit making one, but he was also instrumental in establishing a large corporate office for FOGSI in Mumbai. Professor Purandare was a member of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Core Committee and AOFOG Uro-gynaecology Committee. He has regularly taken time off to meet fellow doctors and enhance his knowledge through participation as a delegate and as a faculty member in national and international conferences including FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) since 1985. He has represented India on FIGO Executive Board. He has more than 90 publications in peer reviewed Journals, has contributed chapters in 23 books and has authored books as Associate Editor for 3 books and Editor for 4 books. A recipient of “Book of the Year Award” from FOGSI for 3 years, he has to his credit over 500 presentations and 25 orations as a guest faculty member in national and international conferences. He has a special interest in Foetal Medicine and High Risk Pregnancy and was the first to perform foetal surgery in India. He has devised the Purandare's Modified Radical Hysterectomy Operation for Carcinoma of the Cervix and successfully performed over 250 such procedures with improved 5 years survival rate. Owing to his campaign on “Saving Lives” conducted nationwide involving various grassroots programmes to reach out to the under-privileged by adopting villages in India. He provided leadership to the programmes of “maternal death reviews” and “maternal near miss programme” as part of FOGSI - FIGO - LOGIC B&MGF MNH Initiative, he is abreast with the ground realities and challenges faced by families in developing nations. He was elected to the prestigious position of President Elect of FIGO in Rome in October 2012 and he was installed as President of FIGO in October 2015 in Vancouver, Canada. His vast experience will allow him to shape FIGO’s initiatives and strategies on a larger scale. In the immediate future, Professor Purandare as President of FIGO will dedicate his time in prioritizing “Reduction in Maternal Mortality” as an area of continued momentum and plans to build focus on “Family Planning” which he advocates to be called “Conception Planning” in order to include large population of Adolescent who need help. There will be emphasis on “Prevention and early detection of Cancer Cervix” as well. He will use his strengths of leadership and team building, forging partnerships, financial acumen, strong academic knowledge of Obs/Gyn and integrity as the 5 pillars to lead change and make FIGO to be truly recognized as the prime organization for uplifting women’s health globally. How does it feel being conferred one of the most prestigious awards in the medical field? I am indeed honored and humbled by Dr B C Roy Award giving recognition for years of work for women, both nationally and globally. Tell us about your journey so far. I come from the Purandare Family which is unique in having Ob Gyn experts for four generations. I was born in Mumbai and trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in India and Ireland. I am a senior consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at three leading hospitals in Mumbai, and also the honorary consultant for the Mumbai Police. I was conferred the Fellowship (Honoris Causa) by the RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists) of the UK in 2009, Fellowship (Honorary) by the RCPI (Royal College of Physicians of Ireland) in 2013,Fellowship (Hon) by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2014 and Fellowship of the National Academy of Medical Sciences. Currently, I am the Dean of The Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Emeritus Editor for the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India. What advice would you give to youngsters? My advice to juniors is simple. There is no substitute for hard work and dedication.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks!!! You have given your valuable time and shared best information for us.
    Uro Gynaecologist in Noida

    ReplyDelete