Ramesh Kumar

Dr Ramesh Kumar is a pioneer in the field of Nephrology (kidney diseases) in India and South East Asia. Nephrology has grown with him in the country.

Born on 6 June 1940 at Khurja, Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, he did his Doctor in Medicine (MD) from Agra University and was rated as the ‘Best Overseas Young Physician’ while training in Nephrology at Queens University, Belfast and later at Charing Cross Hospital, London. He obtained the degree of MRCP in renal diseases and medicine in 1971.

He was elected fellow (FRCP) at the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh in 1981 for his pioneering contributions in establishing and furtherance of dialysis and kidney transplantation in India.

Beginning at All India Medical Institute (AIIMS) in 1972, in a career span of nearly fifty years, Ramesh Kumar has the clear distinction of starting the artificial kidney programme including kidney transplantation in Northern India. As a pioneer of CAPD, he made available an alternative mode of dialysis treatment. He identified patterns of kidney diseases in India and established training programmes for medical, technical and nursing staff in Nephrology countrywide. He has been the guiding force in creation of dialysis centres across Northern India.

Following his relentless crusade of 20 years, the Transplantation of Human Organ Act was passed by Parliament in May 1994. With enactment of the Transplantation Act, the open organ trading has stopped but is continuing in a clandestine manner and kidney scams surface with impunity periodically across the whole nation. Dr Ramesh Kumar is deeply concerned and has made a bold effort in highlighting the malady in his book.

His endeavours continue with public education programmes for kidney diseases and in showcasing India abroad as a centre of excellence for world kidney care.

He is the recipient of multiple awards and accolades and recipient of numerous international fellowships, visiting professorships and is guest speaker worldwide.

Dr Ramesh Kumar has been Chief Physician to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, several Health Ministers and many other leaders in the country.

He was awarded Padma Shri in 1992 and Padma Bhushan in 2003.