Prez decorates Dr Rana from Himachal with Padam Shri

By: Ravinder Makhaik

Shimla: President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday decorated DS Rana chairman, nephrology department Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi with Padam Shri Award for his exceptional and distinguished services in the field of medicines in rural areas of Himachal Pradesh. Rana belongs to Dasmal village in Hamirpur district.

He is one of the pioneers to establish nephrology and kidney transplantation services in India. His wife Anita Rana accompanied him to the grand ceremony.

On receiving the prestigious award, Rana said “In a career spanning 29 years, I have received numerous awards but this one is close to my heart as the government has acknowledged my contribution in the field of medicines and to nation.”

Speaking of her husband Anita said, “I am proud of him. He is gifted with superb clinical acumen and has been rendering service to the human-kind with great passion and compassion. He does not need an award to perform better”.

Committed to his roots in Himachal, Rana formed the “Parvati Education & Health Society” with a mission to provide quality healthcare and education at an affordable price at the doorstep of rural people.

He has started 5-bedded charitable Parvati Hospital to support day care medical services for the outdoor patients.

The society is constructing a 60 bedded Parvati Hospital at his native village for which a 3 acres of land has been acquired. Construction is likely to be completed by 2010 but the first phase of 30 bedded hospital would be made functional by the December 2009.

Rotary Club International has already sanctioned two-bedded hemodialysis unit at this hospital, he said.

The society has set up a Medical Kiosk-cum-Telemedicine Center at Dasmal village which is equipped with Ultrasound, X-ray facilities, ECG, laboratories and tele-medicine facility and is operational since February 2007.