Dr R Ramesh takes charge as Indian Medical Association national vice-president
New Delhi: Dr. R. Ramesh has taken charge as the national vice-president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), marking a new phase in the organisation’s leadership.
A former Director of Health Services in Kerala, Dr Ramesh, previously served as the president of the Kerala State unit of the IMA and is widely recognised for his sustained engagement in public health throughout his professional journey. His appointment reflects decades of experience in health administration and medical advocacy at both the state and national levels.
Dr R. Ramesh is a senior public health professional with nearly three decades of service in the Government of Kerala. An alumnus of Calicut Medical College, he joined the State health services in 1993 and progressed through every level of responsibility, from Medical Officer at a Primary Health Centre to Director of Health Services, a post he held for three years.
His career includes several key roles such as District Medical Officer of Kannur, Principal of the Kerala State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Additional Director of Health Services (Public Health), Managing Director of the Kerala Health Research and Welfare Society, and Project Director of the Kerala State AIDS Control Society. Deeply associated with the IMA, he has served in multiple capacities at branch, district, and State levels, including State Secretary from 2005 to 2008—earning the national Best State Secretary award for three consecutive years—and State President in 2008–09, when he was also adjudged the Best State President nationally.
Dr Ramesh is currently leading a State-level initiative focused on enhancing leadership and communication skills among doctors and healthcare professionals. He is married to Dr. Usha, an anaesthesiologist, and their daughter Deepthi is a software engineer based in Budapest, Hungary.
Talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. R. Ramesh pointed out three persistent issues that the medical fraternity is facing. First, he pointed out that the cases of violence against on-duty doctors inside premises are not rare. “Not only physical attacks, but doctors have to endure cyberbullying, and they suffer mentally. We must take action against any instance of violence against medical professionals. The second problem that I want to mention is the issue of unemployment of young doctors. Authorities should have a systematic way to release vacancies properly,” he added.
Dr. Ramesh also stated that mixopathy is another glaring problem that the medical fraternity must handle. He further stated, “IMA respects every stream of medicine; however, we must not forget that to get an MBBS degree, a medico has to get through tough exams, and allowing just anyone to practice them is not ethical. We must preserve the sanctity of every discipline, and we cannot mix allopathy with traditional ways of treatment.” Giving advice to the future generation of doctors, Dr. Ramesh stated, “Hard work is the only key to success. I want the future generation to be honest, hardworking, and ethical doctors.”
