Bengaluru Doctor Awarded Padma Shri for Lifelong Hemophilia Advocacy
In January, Dr. Suresh Hanagavadi, a native of Davanagere and founder of the Karnataka Hemophilia Society, received an unexpected phone call that would change his life. The call informed him that he had been selected for the prestigious Padma Shri award, recognizing his more than four decades of dedicated advocacy for people living with hemophilia. This rare blood disorder prevents proper clotting due to missing factors, creating lifelong challenges for patients.
A Personal Journey That Shaped a Movement
Dr. Hanagavadi is himself what he calls "one of his blood brothers"—a fellow patient diagnosed with hemophilia in childhood. In an exclusive interview, he reflected on how his personal experiences shaped his advocacy work. "I was diagnosed very young, at a time when Karnataka had neither proper laboratories nor treatment facilities for hemophilia," he explained. "My childhood was exceptionally difficult. I missed significant school time due to painful bleeding episodes and grew up in an overprotective environment."
The turning point came when he witnessed his maternal uncle suffer and die from the same condition in Harihara. "He sensed a brain bleed and sought help at a district hospital, but was dismissed without proper care," Dr. Hanagavadi recalled. "Within days, he became paralyzed and died. That traumatic experience gave me purpose and direction. I chose to pursue medicine so that no family would lose a loved one due to medical ignorance or lack of care. That journey still drives my work across Karnataka today."
Addressing Critical Gaps in Hemophilia Care
When asked about the most pressing needs for hemophilia patients in Karnataka, Dr. Hanagavadi outlined both short-term and long-term requirements. "In the immediate term, Karnataka desperately needs awareness campaigns and clinical training at the district level so hemophilia can be recognized early," he emphasized. "Many patients from regions like Kalyana Karnataka to Malnad remain undiagnosed because nearby hospitals lack basic diagnostic facilities."
For long-term systemic improvement, he highlighted several critical areas: "Families must have assured access to clotting-factor medicines through the public healthcare system, as the costs are beyond most households' means. Children particularly need prophylactic treatment to prevent permanent disability by adolescence. Additionally, laboratories capable of factor testing should exist in all government medical colleges so patients don't need to travel to Bengaluru or Mysuru for confirmation."
Breakthroughs Transforming Hemophilia Treatment
Despite the challenges, Dr. Hanagavadi expressed optimism about recent medical advancements. "Progress has been significant, and Karnataka is beginning to benefit from these breakthroughs," he noted. "Clotting factors with extended half-life remain active longer, reducing injection frequency, while recombinant products have improved safety profiles dramatically."
He described the most promising development: "Most important are the non-factor therapies that rebalance clotting using monoclonal antibodies. These can be administered as subcutaneous injections, sometimes just once a month, and can achieve near-zero bleeding episodes. Because disability is largely preventable when bleeding is controlled early, such therapies are truly transformative for patients' quality of life."
Dr. Hanagavadi stressed that advocacy must continue: "Our work aims to ensure these advanced treatments reach the public healthcare system so children from ordinary families, not only those who can afford private care, can live normal, productive lives."
Ensuring Education and Social Inclusion
Regarding education for children with hemophilia, Dr. Hanagavadi explained: "Preventing bleeding episodes is absolutely key. With regular prophylaxis, especially using newer long-acting or non-factor options, children can stay largely bleed-free and attend school consistently. This allows them to study effectively, build friendships, and develop confidence as they grow."
He emphasized the importance of awareness: "Education among teachers, anganwadi workers, and parents is vital, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where misconceptions about hemophilia persist. When schools respond with understanding and appropriate accommodations, dropout rates decrease significantly. Ensuring uninterrupted education is both a medical and social responsibility we must all share."
Comprehensive Support for Lifelong Well-being
For adults living with hemophilia, Dr. Hanagavadi outlined broader support needs: "Adults require inclusion in education and employment opportunities. As a lifelong condition affecting mobility, finances, and mental well-being, hemophilia needs recognition within disability frameworks, workplace accommodations, and access to job reservations."
He added: "Equally important are opportunities for higher education, counseling services, and skill development so individuals can pursue sustainable careers rather than depending on their families. Society must understand that people with hemophilia simply lack one clotting protein. With the right policies and medical support, they can live independently and contribute meaningfully to Karnataka's future development."
The Padma Shri recognition serves as both validation of Dr. Hanagavadi's four decades of work and a reminder of the ongoing needs of the hemophilia community in Karnataka and across India.
