Dr. Duru Shah, a revered individual in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, has been dedicating her life to healthcare and the well-being of women. Throughout her extensive career spanning several decades, Dr. Shah’s contributions and achievements have left an unforgettable mark on the medical community.
Even as a child, Dr. Shah displayed exceptional discipline and responsibility, harboring a deep passion for learning. She was a diligent student, always aspiring to be at the top of her class. Alongside her academic pursuits, she found joy in various activities such as sports, particularly gymnastics, and engaging in debates. She even experimented with poetry writing and had an insatiable curiosity to expand her knowledge in all areas.
Although born into a business-oriented family, Dr. Shah had a profound desire to become a doctor from a very young age. She was inspired by women doctors whom she often came across, and she made the resolute decision to pursue a career in medicine.She met her life partner, Sushil, during her time as a medical student, and together they formed a bond of love and support that would accompany her throughout her professional endeavors.
Education & Career
Having completed her medical education at Grant Medical College, Dr. Shah excelled academically, earning both an MBBS and MD degree. Her insatiable thirst for knowledge and unwavering commitment to excellence resulted in numerous scholarships and awards throughout her educational journey.
Dr. Shah’s residency at Cama Hospital presented her with the challenges of balancing the demanding responsibilities of clinical work and nurturing her growing family. With determination and the unwavering support of her husband and mother, she faced these challenges with grace and resilience.
Fuelled by her passion for advancing the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Shah embarked on a prestigious lectureship at Grant Medical and engaged in research collaborations with esteemed institutions like the National Institute of Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai Chapter of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), at Wadia Hospital. These endeavors laid the groundwork for her groundbreaking contributions to the medical community.
In 1985, Dr. Shah’s lifelong dream of becoming an honorary Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Wadia Maternity Hospital, affiliated with Mumbai University, was realized. Her dedication to research, combined with her extensive knowledge and expertise, solidified her reputation as an esteemed professional in her field.
Work-Life Balance
Transitioning into private practice presented Dr. Shah with new challenges, all while raising her cherished daughters. Her commitment to her patients and her innate ability to balance her personal and professional responsibilities propelled her to establish a thriving practice that became a beacon of hope for countless women seeking quality healthcare.
Dr. Shah’s unyielding pursuit of excellence continues to inspire generations of healthcare professionals and serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative influence that one dedicated individual can have on the world.
Promoting Reproductive Healthcare
During her tenure as the President of ISAR (Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction), she demonstrated her commitment to advocating for infertility rights and access to treatment. One of her significant achievements was engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Government of India to address the issue of infertility coverage in insurance policies.
Her relentless efforts yielded fruitful results as the Government of India passed a resolution to include infertility, along with ten other conditions, under insurance coverage.The impact of Dr. Shah’s advocacy reverberated through the insurance sector as two of the leading insurance players in India proactively incorporated infertility coverage into their portfolios.
Her leadership has continued to shape the landscape of reproductive healthcare in India, ensuring that individuals and couples receive the support and coverage they deserve in their journey toward parenthood.
Dr. Shah shared with us an interesting case she came across in her career:
“A young woman, SA, aged 25 and married to a doctor, sought my help around 40 years ago due to infertility issues. Surprisingly, she had never experienced menstruation throughout her life. Despite her physical development as a woman, appearing tall, attractive, and intelligent, an examination revealed no abnormalities except for the presence of breast milk secretion. Since hormone assays and ultrasound were not readily accessible at that time, I recalled recent research on a hormone called “Prolactin,” which is produced in the brain and can cause breast milk production.
To explore this possibility, I reached out to my colleagues at the NIRRH (National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health) who were conducting a research project on Prolactin. We managed to test her blood for Prolactin levels through their project, and the results were astonishingly high. The first concern that arose was the potential presence of a brain tumor. While CT scans were unavailable at that time, specialized X-rays were used for brain assessment, leading us to identify a small tumor in her brain.
Fortunately, a newly developed drug called “Bromocriptine” was known to reduce Prolactin levels. We arranged for its import from abroad and initiated her treatment. To our immense joy, she experienced her first-ever menstrual period after approximately eight weeks of medication. Subsequently, her Prolactin levels significantly decreased (measured again in the Research Department), and within another eight weeks, she became pregnant. I had the privilege of delivering a healthy baby boy who has grown up, married, and become a parent.
SA continued her therapy for ten years, during which the brain tumor dissolved, as confirmed by a CT scan, which had become available by then. This remarkable case demonstrates the successful management of infertility related to elevated Prolactin levels caused by a brain tumor, utilizing the medication Bromocriptine.”
