Recognizing outstanding contribution to science and medicine, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India has announced Dr. KK Aggarwal as the winner of the National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication in general for the year 2013. Dr. KK Aggarwal is an eminent cardiologist, the President of Heart Care Foundation of India and the Senior Vice President of the Indian Medical Association. The award was presented as part of National Science Day Celebrations held in New Delhi today.
A leading doctor and philanthropist, Dr. KK Aggarwal has initiated several campaigns to bridge the gap between science and health as his role as the President of The Heart Care Foundation of India, a leading national NGO. He has developed over 1000 short scientific preventive health messages aimed at educating the general public and imparted scientific training to over 90000 people on Hands Only CPR for revival after sudden death.
Dr. KK Aggarwal is also the recipient of two other National Awards, namely the Padma Shri for brilliance in medicine and the Dr. BC Roy National Award for excellence in socio—medical awareness. With the addition of the DST National Award, he becomes the only doctor in India to have received a national award in all these three prestigious categories.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. KK Aggarwal said “It has been my endeavor to constantly spread awareness about various health issues and prevention measures in the country backed by scientific reasoning. With the increasing number of lifestyle disorders and illnesses affecting people, it has become more and more important to make people aware of ways to live a healthy and fit lifestyle. By combining scientific reasoning with medicine and treatment options, patients are more open to accepting the mode of treatment recommended for them”.
A pioneer of leading health initiatives, Dr. KK Aggarwal has been instrumental in bringing treatments such as clot dissolving therapy for acute heart attacks and Colour Doppler Echocardiography in the country. In addition to this, he has also conceptualized and organized unique consumer driven health awareness platforms such as The Perfect Health Mela and the Run for your Heart as a part of his role as the President of The Heart Care Foundation of India. In recognition of both these initiatives, the Government of India released National Postal Commemorative Stamps of INR 6.50 & 1 respectively.
Congratulating him on the award Mr. B P Singh, Advisor and Head NCSTC, Department of Science and Technology Government of India said this award is presented to Dr Aggarwal for his outstanding work in communication of Science and Technology especially in conceptualizing and implementing low cost science awareness modules.
A leading healthcare communicator, Dr. KK Aggarwal’s other roles also include Dean of the Board of Medical Education Moolchand Medcity, Member Ethics Committee Medical Council of India, Chairman Ethics Committee Delhi Medical Council, Editor in Chief IJCP Group of Publications and eMedinewS and Chairman Legal Cell Indian Academy of Echocardiography.
Dr Aggarwal also runs a “Heart Care Foundation Fund” to assist heart patients financially who otherwise cannot afford surgical or other interventions.
