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| OBITUARY |
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| Year : 2023 | Volume
: 13
| Issue : 2 | Page : 95-96 |
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The obituary, Dr. V. P. Kumra
Bimla Sharma
Institute of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| Date of Submission | 03-Apr-2023 |
| Date of Decision | 10-Apr-2023 |
| Date of Acceptance | 12-Apr-2023 |
| Date of Web Publication | 28-Apr-2023 |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Bimla Sharma
Institute of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Old Rajender Nagar, New Delhi - 110 060
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/cmrp.cmrp_68_23
How to cite this article:
Sharma B. The obituary, Dr. V. P. Kumra. Curr Med Res Pract 2023;13:95-6 |
Dr. Ved Prakash Kumra was born in Karachi, undivided India, on 5th April, 1937. He did his MBBS at Nagpur University in 1960. Thereafter, he completed his Diploma in Anaesthesiology in 1968 and MD in Anaesthesiology in 1972 from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, under the able guidance of Dr. Faqir Chand. In 1983, he received a Diploma in Acupuncture from Raipur University. He was with the Central Government Health Services from 1962 to 1985.
The Government of India sent him on deputation to Iran from 1975 to 1978 to work with the Red Lion and Sun Society. In the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy in December 1982, he commissioned the first functioning intensive care unit within 4 hours to resuscitate the gas victims.
He joined Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi in 1985, initially as a senior consultant and subsequently as the Chairman of the Department of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine till 2003 and then as Emeritus Consultant and Advisor to the department till his final day on 3rd February, 2023. He was the key person in implementing obstetric analgesia and Acute Pain Services at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
A founder member of the Indian Society of Pain Research and Therapy, Dr. Kumra was also a teacher, appraiser and examiner for the Diplomat National Board and teaching coordinator for the same at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
Dr. Ved Prakash Kumra had a distinguished academic career. He wrote several national and international papers and chapters in books. He edited and authored a book titled 'Applied Geriatric Anaesthesia.' Peer recognition came to him through the conferment of the Medical Rattan Award by the Indian medical association (IMA) (South Zone) in 2003. In 2004, he delivered the prestigious Dr. Sundran Memorial Oration for ISACON in Trivandrum. He contributed his valuable time and immense knowledge to innumerable continuing medical educations (CMEs) and postgraduate assemblies. Dr. Kumra ran a resuscitation programme for the Delhi Police and conducted workshops on pain relief.
He received numerous awards, including the 'Living Legend' Award, the 'Lifetime Achievement' Award, the 'Lifetime Mentorship' Award, the 'Medical Rattan' Award, and the 'Best Citizen' Award. He was also a Fellow of the Indian College of Anaesthesiologists (ICA).
Dr. Ved Prakash Kumra was an outstanding clinician, a sensitive and caring doctor, and a pathfinder in the fields of anaesthesiology, pain medicine and perioperative medicine. He was the founder President (2008–2018) and Chief Trustee, Advisor and Chief Coordinator of the ICA. He was the Vice President of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) National in 2001–2002, held the post of Secretary, of the ISA Delhi Chapter, from 1980 to 1981, was President from 1995 to 1996, was actively involved in the 1997 ISA Golden Jubilee Celebrations in Delhi, was the founder president of the ISSP, Delhi Chapter, in 2002, and was the organising chairman of the 2003 ISSP Annual National Conference. In addition, he was on the editorial board of the Journal of Critical Care and the Indian Journal of Anaesthesiology and wrote several national and international papers and chapters in books.
He administered anaesthesia to many well-known personalities, the most notable being the then-President of India, Dr. K. R. Narayanan, in 2001. An avid cricket lover, he watched IPLs, test matches and one-day cricket whenever possible.
His insistence on punctuality and letting nothing disrupt the academic schedule taught us the value of discipline and how being a little early enables you to easily organise your workplace and check your equipment, improving the quality and safety of anaesthesia practice. His insistence on punctuality and not permitting anything to interfere with the academic schedule taught us the importance of discipline. He was calm and sympathetic, yet he was a strong leader. We shall miss his love, knowledge and genuine delight in our achievement. The love, respect and honour he received from those whose lives he touched are unparalleled. A passionate teacher dedicated to his work Dr. Kumra taught us more than anaesthesia; he taught us how to live our lives.
Dr. V P Kumra is a legend who will be remembered forever.
Peace be upon his soul.
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