In loving memory
Dr. Kusum Sahgal
1940-2020
Dr. Kusum Sahgal (1940–2020) was a distinguished physician, public health leader and educator whose life was devoted to medicine, service and creating opportunities for others.
A life in medicine
She began her medical journey at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, where she completed her MBBS in 1963. An exceptional student, she received several academic distinctions, including the Lady Hardinge Medal, President's Silver Medal, Grace Lukose Memorial Medal for Surgery, and Dr. Devi Chand Memorial Medal for Medicine.
In 1970, Dr. Sahgal joined Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, where she served as Director Professor and Head of Department. She later returned to Lady Hardinge Medical College, serving as Principal and Medical Superintendent of Lady Hardinge Medical College and its allied hospitals. Throughout her career, she was deeply committed to medical education and to strengthening the institutions that trained generations of healthcare professionals.
Serving India's health
Her work in public health extended to some of India's most pressing health challenges. In 1995, she served as Additional Director at the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), contributing to India's developing national response to HIV/AIDS. Her work connected her with leading institutions and organisations including ICMR, WHO, the Ford Foundation and the World Bank.
Dr. Sahgal was particularly committed to the health and wellbeing of women and underserved communities. Her research and professional collaborations explored issues affecting rural women and women living in urban slums, including reproductive health, healthcare-seeking behaviour and HIV/AIDS. She understood that health is shaped not only by access to medical treatment, but also by education, social circumstances and the opportunities available to individuals and communities.
4 medals
Academic distinctions at Lady Hardinge Medical College, including the President's Silver Medal
Principal
Of Lady Hardinge Medical College and Medical Superintendent of its allied hospitals
NACO
Additional Director, 1995 — contributing to India's national response to HIV/AIDS
Responsibility towards society
She also served on medical ethics committees, including at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), reflecting her belief that progress in medicine must always be accompanied by responsibility, compassion and respect for human dignity.
Her dedication to service continued beyond her professional career. In 2016, Dr. Sahgal and her husband established the Sahgal Foundation (also known as the Sahgal Paramahansa Yogananda Charitable Trust), giving form to their shared belief in giving back to society.