UK Cardiologist Dr Dhiraj Gupta Launches India Tour at PGIMER Chandigarh
UK-based cardiologist and electrophysiologist Dr Dhiraj Gupta has officially commenced his India tour, starting at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. The tour, which began on Wednesday, focuses on performing advanced atrial fibrillation (AF) procedures while simultaneously providing hands-on training to local cardiologists.
Pro Bono Initiative Aims to Enhance Cardiac Care Access
In a remarkable philanthropic gesture, Dr Gupta is conducting these costly procedures without charging any fees from patients or hospitals. He is also covering his own travel expenses. The primary objective of this initiative is to expand access to specialized cardiac treatments and build local medical capacity across India.
Dr Gupta, who serves as a consultant at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and holds an honorary professorship at the University of Liverpool, specializes in several critical areas. These include atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation, arrhythmias, and left atrial appendage occlusion—fields that are seeing significant growth in India's healthcare landscape.
Skill Transfer Over Surgery: A Focus on Training
During his tour, Dr Gupta emphasized that his focus is on skill transfer rather than merely performing surgeries. "I will perform complex-case procedures in five cities and use them as an opportunity to train local cardiologists," he stated. "As a proud alumnus of PGI-Chandigarh and AIIMS-New Delhi, I have retained strong professional and personal links with India and have done similar training road shows previously in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, and New Delhi."
At PGIMER, the first set of cases for the tour were hosted, with Dr Gupta proctoring procedures in collaboration with local electrophysiology teams. This approach ensures that local specialists receive practical, hands-on training, enabling them to independently handle advanced cardiac procedures in the future.
Tour Schedule and Future Engagements
Following his start in Chandigarh, Dr Gupta's tour will proceed to medical centers in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Pune. Each stop is designed to replicate the training model implemented at PGIMER, fostering a sustainable impact on India's cardiac care infrastructure.
Experts in the field have praised this initiative, noting that it will empower Indian doctors to manage complex electrophysiology cases autonomously, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing reliance on international specialists.
