Medical (Doctor) Maharashtra
Dr Dileep Punde/Snake bite treatment expert/ Mukhed/ Nanded
The only doctor from Marathwada who has gained expertise in snake bite treatment and the one who has saved over 7,000 lives from succumbing to snake bites is Dr Dileep Punde. He is not only known across Marathwada but entire Maharashtra for his expert treatment.
His work on such a sensitive topic like snake bite has been recognised internationally. Dr Punde completed his primary education from a small village Jamb in Mukhed Taluka of Nanded district. He then went to the Government Medical College, Aurangabad and gained his MBBS degree.
In the year 1987, he completed his MD (Medicine). However, due to his love for his native place he decided to provide medical service at Mukhed. Considering that the number of snakebite patients was large in Mukhed area, he managed to save multiple lives through his medical knowledge.
Later, he decided to help the snakebite patients and started researching about it. Soon he opened a Snakebite Medical and Research Centre at Mukhed. He kept a variety of snake species for the patients to identify the snake they were bitten by and treat the patients immediately.
He has treated around 7,000 patients at the centre. He is currently working on the panel of National Snake Bite Advisors. He was called by the president of International Toxicology Association Dr Gopalkrushna Kon and and Oxford University’s Dr David Warrell to address the audience during the World Toxicology Council. Dr Punde was also invited to the International Snakebite Council held at Kathmandu, Nepal to guide the audience. Dr Punde has been honoured by awards like Marathwada Bhushan.
Dr Hemant Wakankar/ Orthopaedic surgeon/ Pune
The name which remains at the top while speaking about joints transplantation in the country is Dr Hemant Wakankar.
He is currently the head of the Joint Replacement and Reconstruction Department at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune. He is also a founder member of the Indian Society of Hip and Knee Surgeons and is currently serving as the president of the association.
He is an expert in Orthoplasty and knee transplantation. He has done over 14,000 joint replacement surgeries and has done over a thousand Orthoplasties throughout his career. He has completed his education from GS Medical College and KEM Hospital. He also completed his Masters degree in Orthopaedics from the same college in the year 1989.
In the year 1992, he went to the United Kingdom and studied for seven years where he earned great experience while working under experts in big hospitals. He spent his last years in England as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the University Hospital in Lewisham, London. He returned to India in 1999 and started practising Super Speciality Knee Transplant Surgery.
In the year 2000, he did his first ‘bilateral’ knee transplant surgery. He was the first doctor to perform the 'Computer Based Navigation' surgery in Pune in December 2004. He has written various books and research papers on knee replacement. Many of his works have been published in many national and international publications. He has presented his work in many international councils in many countries including the UK, Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, London and others. He has been honoured with multiple awards for his outstanding work.
Dr Madan Kapre / Thyroid Surgeon / Nagpur
Dr Madan Kapare is organising free of cost ‘general surgery camps since last 28 years and thyroid surgery camps since last 19 years in the remote areas of Melghat. He has taught many doctors across the country about the skills required for this surgery.
Dr Kapre is known as ‘Thyroid Man of India’.He is the first person who has written about the thyroid surgery. So far he has four books to his name.
It is hard for persons having mouth cancer to live with the deformity in the jaw after the surgery. Dr Kapre researched on it and discovered the mandibular mucosa mucoperiosteal flap surgery. The surgery has been named after him.
In the year 2001, he brought fist laser equipment to the Vidarbha region. In the year 2004, he introduced ‘cochlear implant’ surgery.
Since last many years, he is running the anti-tobacco drive free of cost in the backdrop of an increasing number of ‘head and neck cancer’patients. He has guided 70 countries on ‘thyroid’. He started the country's first 'cadaver workshop' from Nagpur.
It is noteworthy that for the first time in the country, on January 27, 2020, the live telecast of ‘thyroid surgery’ was held during the camp by Dr Kapre at Melghat. The telecast was held for Saint Mary Hospital in London.
Dr Satish Patki / Gynaecologist / Kolhapur
Dr Satish Patki is known as the ‘ray of hope for couples having no children’. He has also done research on hospitals equipped with the latest equipment.
He established the first test-tube baby centre in Kolhapur in 1994. Today, more than seven thousand babies have been born in his hospital using modern technology.
His research on the topic of stem cells has been globally noted. To reduce the mental stress of women pregnant with IVF (test tube baby) technology, he started research with the renowned music director Pyarelal.
He was praised by former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Since the last three decades, he is working in the medical field. He has a 50-bedded hospital with modern equipment. Along with a research centre, the hospital also provides post-graduation education.
In the year 1996, the first test-tube baby in South Maharashtra was born in his hospital.More than 7000 children have been born in this hospital with the help of modern technology.
Dr Patki has done research on stem cells and has received its patent. He has given the happiness of being a mother to many women. Dr Patki is a ray of hope to couples without a child.
Dr Suhas Haldipurkar / Ophthalmologist / Panvel / Raigad
Three decades ago, Dr Haldipurkar started his consultancy in a city like Panvel in Raigad district. With his skills, he received international fame.He brought a revolution in the treatment of various ailments regarding the eyes.
Without cataract surgery, thousand of unprivileged people lose their sight. Their life becomes worse and they become dependent.To support such senior citizens, Dr Haldipurkar founded the Lakshmi Charitable Trust 11 years ago.
He has operated more than18,000 patients without any cost through the trust. He also provides medical service at nominal fees for underprivileged people. Many young doctors, who have been trained by him, participate in various drives organised by Lakshmi Charitable Trust. Dr Suhas Haldipurkar has founded the first eye bank in the Konkan region.
He has successfully implanted eyes for hundreds of blind people, which has a big number of tribals. He started a 50-bedded hospital in Raigad in 2002. He is the president of Maharashtra Ophthalmological Society and founder of Mumbai and Raigad Ophthalmologic Association.
He was felicitated with Panvel Bhushan Award and various others.