Mangaluru: Dr B Shantharam Baliga feted with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

Mangaluru, Oct 8: Eminent city based pediatrician and neonatologist Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga has been feted with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Indian Academy of Paediatrics Neonatalogy Chapter.  The national level award was conferred upon him on September 28, 2019 during ‘IAPNEOCON 2019’, the 12th National Conference of Indian Academy of Paediatrics Neonatology Chapter held at Chancery Pavillion Hotel, Bengaluru.  Dr. Karthik Nagesh N. and Dr. Praveen Venkatagiri, organizing Chairman and Organizing Secretary of the conference respectively officiated the award handover ceremony.

‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was given to Dr. Baliga for his extraordinary contribution to improving Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in public health sector.

Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga is a veteran neonatologist who has been actively associated with public health sector for nearly three decades. He is credited with developing the NICU at Lady Goschen Hospital and PICU at Government Wenlock Hospital with modern high end facilities. He was pivotal in creating the Regional Advanced Pediatric Care Centre (RAPCC) at Mangaluru, which is considered to be a model facility of its kind. He has envisioned the new NICU at Lady Goschen Hospital after the hospital underwent renovation this year. The new NICU is designed to be on par with corporate hospitals and is a boon to poor patients.

Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga served at Kasturba Medical College as Professor of Pediatrics including stints as Head of the Department. He has also been a President of National Neonatology Forum, Karnataka State Chapter. He has often served on various government consultative bodies for improving child health in the country. 

Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga has been associated with Malaria control programme of Mangaluru City Corporation since its inception in the early ‘90s. Most recently on his initiative, conceptualization and perseverance, Mangaluru City Corporation was able to develop the Malaria control software, which has been highly effective in tight monitoring of Malaria in the city.

He spearheaded an initiative of the state government to establish special newborn care units in 19 district hospitals across the State by health department. His role included setting up full-fledged baby care units and training the personnel. This has benefited thousands of poor families and saved countless lives. About 5-6000 babies are treated at these units annually.