Sujata Sanjay

In a world populated by 7.5 billion people, being acknowledged and honoured as an achiever worth emulating is no mean feat. So what is it that sets Dr. Sujata Sanjay apart? Well, in the last 5 years, she has organised 185 free health checkup camps in nearby areas of Dehradun where more than 5100 patients have benefited, a national record accepted by the India Book of Records.

Dr Sujata also operates a free health clinic at Chora Gaon, Dehradun and runs an NGO – Society for Health, Education & Women Empowerment Awareness (SHEWA). A bilingual newspaper titled ‘Health Post’ is published and distributed free of cost to females, to aware them regarding their health. She is also quite active when it comes to social causes related to saving the girl child and women’s health.

In recognition of her commitment, dedication and sustained efforts, this Dehradun-based Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaeclogist was recently presented the ‘100 Women Achievers Award’ by President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on January 22, 2016. Conferred by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, it is the latest in a series of notable awards received by her.

She has also been conferred the Uttarakhand Gaurav, Mussoorie Ratna (both for outstanding contribution in social service and health care toward community) as well as the Indira Gandhi National Award. She has been honoured in special recognition for her services to the community on several occasions at various forums and presented mementos of appreciation for raising awareness of health and hygiene among women.

Chief among her achievements is being the first doctor in Uttarakhand state to have performed a successful surgery on a kidney recipient patient and deliver a healthy baby. This is a national record accepted by Unique World Records.

Dr Sujata has a MBBS degree and is a diploma holder in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. She is a Fellow of Indian College of Maternal and Child Health and Life Member, Indian Medical Association, Dehradun OBGYN society, Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society of India, National Association of Reproductive and Child Health of India and the Indian Society of Perinatology and Reproductive Biology.

Her expertise lies in the following:
• Multiple fields of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Laparoscopy – diagnostic & operative
• Hysteroscopy – diagnostic & operative
• Infertility evaluation and treatment short of IVF
• High risk obstetrics
• Conventional Gynae Surgery (such as for large Fibroids and complicated Cysts)
• Gynae Endoscopic (Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy) Surgery
• High Risk Pregnancy Cases
• Abnormal Bleeding
Leveraging the media to connect with those women who may not be fortunate enough to be educated, Dr Sujata is a familiar voice on the airwaves, with radio broadcasts of 76 programs in 17 months. This again is a national record accepted by India Book of Records.

Her programs All India Radio (AIR), Nazibababad; Radio Khushi 90.4 FM, Mussoorie and Radio Zindigi 90.8 FM, Dehradun have helped countless women get a better understanding of how to deal with crucial issues such as pregnancy complications and prevention (with a separate segment for women above 40 years of age), hormonal imbalance, pregnancy care, cervical cancer, back pain, miscarriage, infertility, breast cancer, anemia, complications during pregnancy, twin pregnancies, family planning, infertility, fibroid during pregnancy, investigation during pregnancy, menstrual Irregularity, breast complication during lactation, P.C.O.D., U.T.I., sex education, health issues in children, dismenoria, thyroid dysfunction, malnutrition, pubertal and menopausal changes, hepatitis symptoms and prevention, premature delivery and sanitation.

Similarly she has been equally active on the television medium on the ‘Swasth Bharat’ (Healthy India) and ‘Ghar Pariwar’ programs supported by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India highlighting the significance of pregnancy care, causes and prevention of miscarriage, why investigation is important during pregnancy, importance of nutritious food during pregnancy, methods of contraception, cervical cancer, hormonal imbalance, anemia in females and healthy diet in pregnancy.

Dr Sujata’s articles have also been published in leading newspapers and magazines. With special expertise and interest in treating high risk pregnancy, infertility and minimal access surgeries, she has successfully treated patients suffering from fibroids, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, adenomyosis, endometrial polyps, tubal block, and infertility. Almost 200 news items have been published in various national and regional Hindi and English newspapers.

She has also participated in/ organized a number of conferences, seminars, awareness programs, rallies and competitions on themes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Awareness on Women Hygiene, Hygiene Practice (Hand Wash) for children, Breastfeeding Orientation, Hepatitis Awareness, Stages of Labour, Puberty Changes in Teenage Girls, Cervical Cancer, PCOS, IUI workshops, Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, CP Polio and more.

To quote G. D Anderson, women are already strong; its about changing the way the world perceives their strength. Dr Sujata is a strong proponent of women empowerment and believes that ‘knowledge is power.’ By disseminating her knowledge among those who need it, she has been a social crusader with a clear agenda of helping women stand up for themselves and their rights.

India has a long way to go before women and children are given the type of care and resources required. Increased awareness and education are vital for this and Dr Sujata is providing both in abundance. The topics that she holds close to her heart, touch upon the core issues faced by women and children across India.

Constantly emphasising the importance of leading a better quality of life to the neglected sections of society, Dr Sujata is a true role model who sets an example for others to follow and charts out a roadmap for taking these vital social issues forward.