Outstanding Indian women doctors in medicine-Part 1
Let’s just say that there is still a lot left to be done in terms of women’s empowerment in this country.
Though feminist based ideas are presented more in the media, the ground reality still remains largely unchanged. Recent reports like how even education isn’t stopping parents from preferring a male child point to this fact. And in virtually every profession, it’s the male half that gets more visibility.
As the first part of a Daily Rounds special series, we list here a few of the women doctors who made significant contributions to Indian healthcare. With oft-lamented facts like surgery still being a male dominated field and education opportunity comparatively lesser for the fairer sex, these women gain importance that goes beyond the field of medicine.
Dr. Kamini Rao
A pioneer in the field of assisted reproduction, Dr.Kamini’s contributions to a nation that’s often stifled with outdated cultural norms have been recognized-being a recipient of the Padma Shri. The birth of India’s first SIFT baby is credited to Dr.Kamini Rao.
Dr.Nandini Mundkur
There is a dearth of developmental pediatricians in the nation. But of the ones there are, Dr.Nandni Mundkur is one of the most iconic. A pioneer in the field of detecting early developmental disorders, she is also the director of International Children’s Peace Council. The doctor’s achievements have an extra-merit given that she made it this far though born in a traditional Indian household.
Dr.V.Shanta
A famous cancer specialist and the Chairperson of Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai, Dr. Shanta, even at the age of 88 is highly involved in her administrative role. A recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and the Magsaysay Award she is also a member of the World Health Organization’s Advisory Committee on Health.
Dr. Indira Hinduja
As a gynecologist extraordinaire, Dr.Indira Hinduja has a track record that demands respect. Once a municipal school student, she went on to become the one who successfully delivered India’s first IVF baby-on August 6, 1986. Yet another claim to fame came when she developed the Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer(GIFT) technique-something which enables fertilization in the Fallopian tube rather than a test tube. The first GIFT baby was born on January 4, 1988.
Dr. Firuza Parikh
A bastion of hope for those who contend with infertility, Dr.Firuza Parikh gave India-in fact, the whole of South East Asia its very first Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection(ICSI) baby in 1994. The procedure has till date helped many an infertile couple. Dr. Firuza also established India’s first IVF centre.
Dr.Savitri Shrivastava
Celebrated as an icon both in India and abroad, Dr. Savitri has been instrumental in developing the field of pediatric cardiology in the country. Even in the age of echocardiography, she stresses on the importance of having great auscultatory skills. A legend in her own rights, she even has a procedure named after her- a procedure which she along with co-authors first published in Indian heart journal in 1987.
These are but only a very few women who make the nation proud with their unparalleled contributions to the field of medicine. We will be featuring more such women from contemporary medicine in this ongoing series. If you feel someone worthy of mention who may be missed by us, drop us a line.
Image credits: meetmydoctor.in, smilingdiaries.com, newindianexpress.com, thehindu.com, vervemagazine.in, shethepeople.tv