City doctor working on disability rights gets national award

Delhi’s GTB Hospital doctor working on disability rights and inclusion in medicine has received the national award. Dr Satendra Singh, Professor of Physiology at GTB Hospital, received the NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Awards 2023 from Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), on Thursday.

Dr Singh’s most notable works include creating a dedicated platform ‘Doctors with Disabilities: Agents of Change’ to empower healthcare professionals with disabilities and advocating for their inclusion in the medical community. One of the most impactful policy changes spearheaded by Dr Singh is the integration of disability rights as essential competencies into India’s new medical curriculum.

Dr Singh, who contracted poliomyelitis very early in life, with his team have developed 27 disability core competencies. Eight of these competencies have now become a mandatory part of the national curriculum, implemented in over 700 medical colleges across India.

“This recognition is not just an acknowledgment of our achievements, it is a call to action and a reminder that there is still much work that needs to be done and it is an inspiration for all of us to redouble our efforts”, said Dr Singh. Arman Ali, ED (NCPEDP) said that his work reminds that true progress in healthcare transcends the confines of medical textbooks and laboratories. It demands a passionate commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion.