Director of KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases P. Raghu Ram has received the prestigious Dr B.C. Roy National Award, the highest award for medicine in India.
He is the youngest surgeon ever from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to be conferred with the honour.
President Pranab Mukherjee presented the award at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.
Raghu Ram is the CEO of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation and the President of the Association of Breast Surgeons of India.
The prestigious award, conferred under the category 'Outstanding service in the field of socio-medical relief' for the year 2016, recognises Raghu Ram's work towards improving breast healthcare in India and community service of a high order, said a statement here.
Under the auspices of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, which bears his mother's name, he has spread much needed awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh through a number of innovative and unique initiatives.
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"I dedicate this prestigious award to my mother, Dr. Ushalakshmi, and to all those who have bravely fought breast cancer with courage and determination. I take this opportunity to rededicate myself to work with even greater determination alongside colleagues, NGOs and the government to further improve breast healthcare in my motherland," Raghu Ram said.
In 2015, he became the youngest surgeon ever from the Telugu states to have been conferred with the Padma Shri.
--IANS
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