Visakhapatnam: Leading Nephrologist and former Vice-Chancellor of NTR University of Health Sciences, Dr Tatapudi Ravi Raju has been conferred with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Society for Nephrology for his contribution to the field of medical health care, medical education, and administration.
The award was given to him at the annual conference of ISN, held in Chennai on Friday. Dr Raju is currently working as the chief nephrologist of Apollo Hospital.
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Dr T Ravi Raju started his career as a Nephrologist after completing DM from the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh in 1985. Subsequently, he worked in Andhra Pradesh Medical Education Services in various capacities for over three decades as Assistant Professor, Professor, Additional Director of Medical Education (Superintendent & Principal of Medical College) and Director of Medical Education. He is one of the senior-most Nephrologists in the country and he also rendered his services as Professor Emeritus in Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam.
In a career spanning over three long decades, he achieved several distinctions as a medical teacher as well as a clinician. As one of the first qualified nephrologists in the State of Andhra Pradesh, he was closely associated with establishing the Dept. of Nephrology at Andhra Medical College / King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam. During his tenure, the department has grown from a ten-bedded shared ward to a fully functional thirty-bedded postgraduate training facility with all the latest equipment with sophisticated diagnostics and super specialty patient services. As a Professor of Nephrology, he started DM super specialty course at Andhra Medical College in the year 2001-02 itself.
He is presently associated as Principal Investigator with the ongoing epidemiological study on the prevalence of kidney diseases in North Coastal Districts of Andhra Pradesh, conducted jointly in collaboration with Harvard University, USA. He has drawn the attention of the Government and Media to the high prevalence of this disabling and chronic disease affecting the health and economy. His study drew the attention of the international community of nephrologists and it was christened as "Uddanam Nephropathy" in the World Congress of Nephrology-2013 in Hong Kong.
His research work at Weil Cornell Medical College, New York has led to the identification of one of the Signature Genes, IP10, for diagnosis of rejection after organ transplantation. His pioneering work on the diagnosis of organ rejection has paved the way for the publication of major breakthrough research work in the New England Journal of Medicine. As a DME and Nephrologist, he conceived the innovative scheme of organizing Hemodialysis Centers under Aarogyasri. With the approval of the Government and under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, FM&HW, he has planned, designed, and started 11 dialysis Centers in the State.
He was the Director of Medical Education when he initiated Cadaver Organ Donation Programme in 2010 "Jeevandan" and it facilitated streamlined retrieval and allocation of cadaver organs for needy patients. He also served as the President of the Indian Society of Nephrology and Senior Nephrologist. As Chairman, Board of Super Specialities and later, as DME- Academic and Senate Member of NTR UHS, he was closely associated with the functioning of the University. He is also the recipient of 'Sardar Vallabhai Patel Award' for service to the nation, given by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2021.
On the occasion of receiving the award, Dr. Raju told , " I am working in the field of nephrology for the last 35 years. I am currently working on establishing the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease and CKDu (Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology) in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Around 18% of people were suffering from chronic kidney disorder but I applied Uddanam Nephropathy which has been proven helpful. I am extremely happy that the nephrology community has recognized my service and honored me with the award. I will dedicate my life to improve the field of nephrology and for helping the downtrodden as long as I live. Prevention is the best cure; hence, we must adopt innovative preventive measures to fight chronic kidney diseases."