O.P. Sharma
Dr Kasturi Lal Gupta, an eminent Gynecologist and former Principal, Medical College, Jammu dared to dream to setup an organization for tackling growing female cancer. And as the luck would have it he founded National Society of Gynecological Cancer with its registered office in Jammu. Very widely traveled across the country as well as abroad, Dr Gupta has the distinction of taking precautionary, preventive and curative measures by sensitizing the community as well as organizing orientation courses for the Gynecologists. The specialists in female cancer can play a pivotal role in meeting the challenges of this growing malady.
In an exclusive interview with me, Dr Gupta gave a detailed account of the activities and achievements of his nation-wide organization which holds workshops, seminars and professional conferences for training the trainers at different levels for timely treatment of female cancer. A search-light has also been put on his professional career and personal life.
Son of Soil
Born on April 26, 1939 to Chuni Lal Vaid and Amar Devi at Jammu, Kasturi Lal got his education up to B Sc from Govt. Science College, Jammu in 1959 and completed MBBS in 1964 from Kashmir University. Dr Gupta had a short stint of service in the SMGS Hospital, Srinagar and moved further to pursue his career in Obstetrics and Gynecology by undergoing diploma course in Obstetrics and Gynecology (DGO) from Calcutta University and Master degree (MS) in Obstetrics and Gynecology from Patna University in 1968.
His long career of 30 years as a teacher in Obstetrics and Gynecology commenced from the Christian Medical College, Vellore (Tamil Nadu) in 1968, and then afterwards he was in Wanless Hospital at Miraj (Maharashtra) and also worked in MR Medical College, Gulbarga, Karnataka 1970-75 and then as a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram.
Handled Vital Assignments
Dr Kasturilal Gupta subsequently shifted to his native J&K State in 1976 and later became Principal, Govt. Medical College, Jammu and Dean, Associated Hospitals. He retired as Principal-cum-Dean, Govt. Medical College and member of Syndicate of Jammu University during 1997.
His focus on skill development was a great step to manpower development in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
During his tenure he had taken significant interest in teaching and research and worked on therapy in Eclampsia and drug induced teratogenicity in man and it earned him international recognition. Dr Gupta was elected for fellowship in academic societies like International College of Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: International College of Gynecological Cancer Society.
Specialized Organization
About 23 years back, he founded National Society of Gynecological Cancer with its registered office in Jammu and is presently Chairman of this organization. Dr Kasturilal Gupta has developed a structure of education system in which the focus is on to train the trainers for Gynecologists in Oncology through guest lectures, seminars, symposia and live demonstrations of operative procedures. The faculty is derived from Oncologists working in Europe through collaborations with other international organizations working in the field of Gynecologic Oncology. He has been organizing Cancer Screening Programmes and Surgical workshops. These programmes create awareness among women to seek help in procuring early intervention for prevention of malignancies and successful treatment of lesions detected in early stage.
He has been awarded Certificate of Honour from Jammu Citizens Forum. He was awarded Top 100 Health Professionals 2010 by International Biographical Center and also Man of the Year Medicine and Health Care 2010 by the American Biographical Institutes. He is the recipient of Bharat Jyoti Award by India International Friendship Society.
Out-reach Programmes
Having vast experience of therapeutic approaches in various national and international institutions, he has developed his innovative approaches of treatment and published about 100 papers in national and international journals.
He was awarded WHO grant in 1983 to study development and research in technique of human reproduction in Singapore and Bangkok. In addition to his valuable contribution as a member of reviewing committee; members selection committee of Union Public Service Commission, Credential Committee of International College of Surgeons and pri-natal mortality, maternal mortality and also Breast Committee of Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India. He was sponsored by MCI, Geneva to attend 4th International Congress for maternal and neo natal health at Bandung, Indonesia, 1992.
Being influenced and encouraged by concept of community services and social activity in Sevagram he has kept alive the desire to serve the society specially the female cancer patients. He has reproduced his experience in founding an NGO Lajwanti Medical Trust Hospital, Jammu which has been providing health care to women of rural and urban slum areas for the benefit of public for sensitizing the major issues about safe motherhood, voluntary health services, myths about female cancer and the cancer control programme.
(Starline Syndicate Service)
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