Himachal resident Dr D.S. Rana, chairman of department of nephrology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, has been awarded the Padmashri for his distinguished services in the field of medicine in the country and rural areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Dr Rana is among the pioneers to establish nephrology and kidney transplant services in India. He even contributed a telemedicine centre and a hospital to his native village, Dasmal, in Hamipur district. The hospital, Parvati Education and Health Society, which is named after his mother, is connected with over 300 expert doctors at the Ganga Ram Hospital who offer free medical advice to patients in the small village of Hamirpur.

Acknowledging Dr Rana’s contribution to his village, which could inspire many other professionals, the state government had recommended his name for the award.

Talking to The Indian Express over phone, Dr Rana said, “This award is very close to my heart, as besides a contribution on the national front, my work in a small village has been noticed.”

The five-bed hospital at Dasmal supports daycare medical services for outdoor patients, with specialised services, including physiotherapy and occupational health services. The telemedicine centre has been equipped with ultrasound, X-ray, ECG and laboratory facilities since February 2007. Future plans include a 60-bed hospital at Dasmal, for which three acres have been acquired and infrastructure developmental and construction work is likely to be completed by 2010.