INSPIRING OBSTETRICIANS - Prof. Rohit Bhatt

Prof. Rohit Bhatt

Rohit Vijayshanker Bhatt was born on 6th, December, 1931 at Ahmadabad. He hails from family of judges and lawyers. He was the first postgraduate doctor from his family. His grandfather was a judge and his father practiced law. His father did not relish the lawyer’s profession and switched his interest to social work and writing articles for social upliftment.Mother was religious, god fearing and devoted to family. She inculcated self reliance and simplicity in life. Rohit has two brothers and one sister. Elder brother Bachubhai is an MBA from Harvard University and was CEO of Calico Mills in Ahmadabad. Second brother Vinayak is a well known economist who served in the World Bank. Sister Kusum is an arts graduate. Wife Minaxi is an economics graduate from Mumbai University and is a great support in Rohit’s academic pursuits. She managed the home front with uncanny practical approach. Amit his only son is PhD in electrical engineering from USA and working as a professor in IIT. Purvi, his daughter in law is a graduate in biotechnology from USA.She has her doctorate degree from India. She is now working in Nairobi on UN project on capacity building.Nirja; his grand daughter is studying in international school. Rohit has imbibed family values and simple life style from his parents.

Rohit had his medical education in GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai. He also studied pediatrics to get his DCH.He had great love for teaching and research. So he joined as a full time teacher in Ahmedabad. After a brief period in Ahmedabad, he was shifted to Baroda Medical College as Professor and head and retired in 1984.He served as visiting professor in Edinburgh under WHO exchange program. He also served as short term WHO consultant. He was the first Director of Indian Council of Medical Research started Human Reproduction Research Centre (HRRC) in Baroda. He was consultant to JHPIGO (John Hopkins program international in Gyn.Obst) for laparoscopy training. He also served as senior consultant to Population Council for four years. He was invited as visiting professor at PGI, Chandigarh and RNT Medical College, Udaipur. He was at the helm of ob.gyn department for more than two decades during which the department bloomed to greater heights. He was the first to introduce laparoscopy in Gujarat in early seventies. He also introduced the setup for micro tubal surgery after receiving training at John Hopkins University. He gave several orations in India and overseas – notable ones are Bhandari oration, FOGSI oration, Sir Kedarnath Das oration, Dossibai Dadabhai oration. He also gave orations in Manila and Brazil. He received several prizes for academic research –notables ones are Kasanji Ranchhodji prize, H.Desa prize and Hari Om prerit award. He was examiner in undergraduate and postgraduate examinations in several universities. He was adviser for the 9th, five year plan for health issues. Rohit is grateful to his teachers who helped in achieving his goal. These teachers are Dr.Masani, Dr.Shirodkar, Dr.Saraiya, Dr.Purandare, Dr.Merchant

Rohit held several posts in international organizations. He was vice-president of Asia Oceania Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.(AOFOG).He also served as chairperson of Safe Motherhood committee in the same organization. At present he is an honorary fellow of AOFOG. He is invited as key note speaker at several international conferences. He received advance training in laparoscopy and micro tubal surgery at John Hopkins University

Rohit held top posts in several national organizations. He was the president of FOGSI, ISOPARB and NARCHI organizations. He was the chairman of Indian college of obstetricians and gynecologists (ICOG) and also Indian college of maternal and child health (ICMCH).He was nominated as Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, Indian College of Obst.Gynec and Indian College of Maternal and Child .He is also the National professor in National Academy of Medical Sciences. He received ‘Life time achievement’ award from FOGSI and Harvard medical School. At present he is chief of the Obst.Gyn dept at Bhailalbhai Amin General Hospital at Baroda.

He is the Editor in Chief of International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (India) and on the editorial board of several journals.

Rohit has more than 170 publications in recognized journals. He has contributed chapters in 10 books on obstetrics and gynecology. His areas of interest are –Maternal and Perinatal Health, Contraception, pregnancy anemia, infertility and environmental factors in reproductive health.

Rohit at his wedding (1962)

With Dr B. N. Purandare (1977)

In Indonesia with Minister of Health (1984)

Panel Discussion with Dr Dasgupta and Dr V. N. Purandare (1980)

With Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1979)

 
     

 
         
     

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