Breast cancer surgeon Dr Raghu Ram conferred India's highest honour for medicine

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New Delhi: Founder/Director of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation and Padma Shri awardee, Dr Raghu Ram Pillarisetti has been honoured with the prestigious Dr BC Roy National Award, the highest award for medicine in India.

He is the youngest surgeon ever from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to be conferred with the honour.

The oncoplastic breast surgeon is the youngest recipient of the Overseas Gold Medal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and is also the founder of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS).

Dr Raghu Ram received the award from President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday, at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Dr Raghu Ram, who is also the President of the Association of Breast Surgeons of India, became the youngest surgeon ever from the Telugu states to have been conferred with the Padma Shri.

The Dr BC Roy National Award, conferred under the category 'Outstanding service in the field of socio-medical relief' for the year 2016, recognises Raghu Ram's work towards improving breast healthcare in India and community service of a high order, said a statement here.

Under the auspices of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, which bears his mother's name, he has spread much needed awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh through a number of innovative and unique initiatives.

"I dedicate this prestigious award to my mother, Dr. Ushalakshmi, and to all those who have bravely fought breast cancer with courage and determination. I take this opportunity to rededicate myself to work with even greater determination alongside colleagues, NGOs and the government to further improve breast healthcare in my motherland," Raghu Ram said.

(With IANS inputs)