B Palaniappan

Bhuvaraghan Palaniappan (November 5, 1930 – March 23, 2014) was an Indian gynecologist. In recognition of his contributions to medicine, Palaniappan received the Padma Shri award from then President of India, Abdul Kalam, on March 29, 2006. In a recent interview Dr. B. Palaniappan presents in a terse fashion what he considers as his major contribution at the national level to the welfare of child bearing women in the second most populous country of the world and about the powerful influence he had among his students as a role-model; some of his students write to express appreciation from different parts of the world, which expressions he regards as his major accomplishment. Links to the 3 part interview: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3. (If the links are not working for any reason the clips can be found on YouTube with search keywords Padmashree Palaniappan)

His love for Tamil language was immense. Midwives are considered to be the level 1 care providers. Majority of them hail from small villages and towns of Southern India. Prof.B.Palaniappan wrote a Midwifery textbook in Tamil, ‘Maghaperu Maruthuvam’ to reach midwifery students whose command over English language was not good. Improving their understanding and knowledge was important to maintain the quality of care.

He took upon himself the responsibility of regulating the use of drugs in pregnancy. High-dose hormonal tablets can have teratogenic effects. Though this was known, it was not practised. He publicised and repeatedly highlighted the facts in various media, until it raised parliamentary debates in Delhi. Eventually the drugswere withdrawn from market.

He expressed his passion for teaching by travelling to various institutes in India and abroad, delivering lectures to both undergraduates, post graduates and midwifery team. His research focussed on methods to make abortion safer, laporoscopic gynaecological procedures and tuboplasty surgical techniques to manage subfertility.

Palaniappan, an elected fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, was a mentor and role model for many of his students.