Union Health Ministry Names Women Directors for RML Hospital, LHMC, and Safdarjung Hospital
In a landmark move for India’s public healthcare system, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has appointed three women doctors to head three of Delhi’s largest central government hospitals and medical institutions for the first time.
The appointments mark a significant step toward greater women leadership in India’s medical education and healthcare administration sectors, which have traditionally been dominated by male administrators and senior clinicians.
The Health Ministry on Friday issued orders appointing:
- Dr. Akhilandeshwari Prasad as Director of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
- Dr. Himani Ahluwalia as Director of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC)
- Dr. Kavita Rani Sharma as Director of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital
Dr. Akhilandeshwari Prasad to Lead ABVIMS and RML Hospital
A senior consultant in Radio Diagnosis, Dr. Akhilandeshwari Prasad is an MBBS gold medalist from Lady Hardinge Medical College and completed her MD in Radiodiagnosis from RML Hospital.
She has been associated with RML Hospital and ABVIMS for nearly three decades and has served in several academic and administrative positions, including Head of the Department of Radiodiagnosis.
Dr. Prasad has assumed charge with immediate effect.
Speaking about her priorities, she said the institution would focus on strengthening patient-centric care, ensuring uninterrupted essential services, operationalising the super-specialty block, modernising infrastructure, and accelerating integrated paperless healthcare systems.
She also highlighted the importance of expanding teaching, research, and clinical training facilities while enhancing the hospital’s healthcare and academic capacities.
Dr. Himani Ahluwalia Appointed Director of Lady Hardinge Medical College
Dr. Himani Ahluwalia, a Director Professor of Physiology, has been appointed as the new Director of Lady Hardinge Medical College.
Currently serving as senior professor and Head of the Physiology Department at VMMC, she is known for her extensive experience in academics and medical research.
She will officially take charge as Director of LHMC on July 9.
Dr. Kavita Rani Sharma Takes Charge at Safdarjung Hospital and VMMC
Dr. Kavita Rani Sharma, a Director Professor of Anaesthesia, has been appointed Director of VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital with immediate effect.
She succeeds outgoing Director Dr. Sandeep Bansal and had earlier been given additional charge of the institution in March this year.
Speaking about her new role, Dr. Sharma said Safdarjung Hospital is among the country’s largest tertiary care institutions, catering to nearly 13,000 OPD patients daily while housing several super-speciality departments.
She stated that her focus would remain on strengthening patient care, medical education, and research activities at the institution.
Women Leadership Rising in India’s Public Healthcare System
According to ministry officials, the appointment of three women doctors to lead Delhi’s busiest and largest government-run tertiary healthcare institutions reflects the growing role of women in leadership positions within India’s public healthcare and medical education ecosystem.
The development is being viewed as a historic milestone in the transformation of administrative leadership in India’s healthcare sector, especially at premier central government medical institutions.
