In a moment of immense pride for India's medical community, Dr Suresh Kumar Angurana, a dedicated doctor and professor at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh, has been honoured with one of the nation's highest scientific accolades. He received the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for 2025 from President Droupadi Murmu at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
A Pioneer in Paediatric Gut Health
Dr Kumar, who serves as an Additional Professor in the Division of Paediatric Critical Care at PGI's Advanced Paediatric Centre, was selected among the country's top 15 young scientists. His award-winning research revolves around a fascinating and crucial area: the human gut microbiome in critically ill children. He investigates how the trillions of bacteria residing in our digestive system can influence a child's recovery during severe medical crises.
His pioneering work has provided strong evidence that administering specific beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, to children in the Intensive Care Unit can serve as a powerful protective shield. Dr Kumar's studies demonstrated that these probiotics can prevent dangerous fungal infections and reduce harmful inflammation, which is common in life-threatening conditions like sepsis. This research offers a novel, non-invasive approach to improving outcomes for the most vulnerable young patients.
Leadership Beyond the Lab: From COVID-19 to National Guidelines
Dr Angurana's impact extends far beyond laboratory research. During the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, he emerged as a key leader, helping the medical fraternity understand the virus's unique effects on children. He provided crucial insights into Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a rare but serious post-COVID condition causing widespread inflammation. His expertise was instrumental in formulating the national guidelines that doctors across India now follow to diagnose and treat children affected by MIS-C.
Furthermore, addressing a practical gap in emergency care, Dr Kumar played a vital role in the development and validation of the InChiTape (Indian Children Length-Based Tape). For years, Indian doctors relied on tapes designed for Western children, leading to potential inaccuracies in estimating weight for drug dosages and equipment size. The InChiTape, tailored to Indian children's body types, ensures faster and more accurate life-saving interventions in critical situations.
A Humble Dedication to Patients and Platform
Upon receiving the prestigious award, Dr Suresh Kumar Angurana expressed profound gratitude. "I am deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award," he said. "I am deeply thankful to the critically ill children and their families for their trust, and to PGI for providing the platform and environment to pursue meaningful research and patient care." His words underscore a career dedicated not just to scientific inquiry but to compassionate, patient-centred medicine.
This national recognition highlights the significant strides being made in Indian paediatric medicine and critical care research. Dr Angurana's work exemplifies how innovative, homegrown scientific solutions can save young lives and set new standards for healthcare, making the nation and the city of Chandigarh proud.
