Dr. Anirudh Shah, a distinguished pediatric surgeon based in Ahmedabad, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at PESICON 2025 in Kochi. This prestigious recognition celebrates his five-decade-long contribution to pediatric endoscopic surgery in India. Dr. Shah holds the distinction of being the first paediatric surgeon from Gujarat and only the second in India to receive this award!
When asked about the honour, Dr. Shah humbly shared, “I am happy that my efforts have been recognised, but my true lifetime achievement lies in my patients and their blessings.”
One of the firsts to adopt Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery in India
Dr. Shah has been a trailblazer in the field, pioneering pediatric surgery in Gujarat after returning from the United Kingdom. He shared that before 1975, the state had no dedicated pediatric surgeons, and children’s surgeries, including those for newborns, were performed by general surgeons, often resulting in higher morbidity and mortality rates.
In 1975, after completing four years of training in pediatric surgery in England, Dr. Shah established Gujarat’s first Department of Pediatric Surgery at Vadilal Sarabhai Hospital, Ahmedabad. Over his 30-year tenure as department head, he played a pivotal role in developing pediatric surgery to a high standard and training more than 20 pediatric surgeons.
Dr. Shah’s contributions extend beyond Gujarat. He was among the first to introduce minimally invasive surgery (keyhole surgery) for pediatric cases in India in 1998. He has trained surgeons across India, Bangladesh, and Nepal and has been actively involved in organising workshops and live surgical demonstrations.
His leadership in the field is reflected in his tenure as President of the Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (2008-2009) and Chairman of the Pediatric Endoscopic Society of India (2009-2011).
Pioneering work for pediatric healthcare in Gujarat and India
After retiring from V.S. Hospital in 2005, Dr. Shah continues his work through his private practice at Amardeep Multispeciality Children Hospital in Ahmedabad. His contributions to pediatric surgery have been widely recognised within the medical community.
Speaking about the award, Dr. Shah remarked, “This award was given to me in recognition of my contribution to developing minimally invasive surgery, commonly known as keyhole surgery, for children.”
Dr. Anirudh Shah’s legacy is a testament to his dedication, innovation, and lasting impact on pediatric healthcare in India.
