Dr.Rajan Deshpande

       Dr. Rajan is a well-known pediatrician in North Karnataka and is equally well known for his medico-social activities in this part of the state and beyond. He is known for his selfless service in the development of child health care in Dharwad district, for the last 4 decades. He is a role model, a mentor, a leading exponent in the field of child health reaching out to the masses, with his vision, mission and commitment.

        Being one of the very first pediatricians in this area, Dr. Rajan had to don many roles in his profession. He started his private practice in a humble way. He was a visiting pediatrician to all the maternity homes and served as an honorary pediatrician in the Municipal Cooperation hospital and was also a visiting faculty in District Hospital. He has worked tirelessly to build up the standards of pediatric services in North Karnataka.

          His services are rendered through a 100 bedded “Vithal Institute of Child Health and Speciality Center”, founded in 1978. It caters to more than 50,000 patients in a year visiting from various parts of North Karnataka. This hospital is a Pediatric Super speciality centre and has collaboration with leading hospitals of India.

        For his continuous selfless service in the field of pediatric medicine particularly related to neonates, malnutrition and immunization, the Government of Karnataka has bestowed upon him the civilian recognition by presenting “Karnataka Rajyotsava Award” in the field of medicine in 2007 which was presented by the then Governor His Excellency Rameshwar Thakur.

  His sincere efforts and personal involvement in the Pulse Polio Programs since 1985 was recognized by the prestigious “Regional Service Award for the polio free world”, by the Chairman of Rotary Foundation of Rotary International during 2010-11.

        The highest award “Service Above Self” by Rotary International was bestowed upon him for his long term commitment for uplifting of downtrodden with his initiatives and his outstanding efforts in bringing about International Understanding.

         Looking at his academic excellence and deep involvement in the socio-medical activities in all nook and corners of Karnataka, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics has presented “Excellence in Pediatrics” during the State Conference 2002.

         Indian Medical Association of Karnataka State branch appreciated his services to the medical fraternity and community at large. It also recognized his exceptional services to the human kind during a State Conference in 2008.