Dr. S Padmavati, India’s first female cardiologist passed away at the age of 103 on Sunday (30th August 2020) due to COVID-19. We have lost an inspiring soul who saved thousands of lives.
Some souls are born to change the world with the immense power of their determination and courage. One such soul was Dr. Padmavati Sivaramakrishna Iyer, also known as ”God Mother of Cardiology”.
Dr. Padmavati was director of the world-renowned heart institute – National Heart Institute, Delhi, and the founder president of the All India Heart Foundation. For her immense contribution to the medical field, Dr. Padmavati was awarded India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan in 1992. She was the first woman cardiologist in India in 1954 and established the first cardiac clinic and cardiac catheter lab in India.
Born in 1917 in Myanmar, Dr. Padmavati was born to a barrister.
She was blessed with three brothers and two sisters. After receiving an MBBS degree from Rangoon Medical College in Rangoon, she moved to London in 1949 for further education. In her time in the United Kingdon, she worked at various hospitals. Post which, she worked in Sweden for three months and then went to the US for further studies.
In 1953, Dr. Padmavati came to India and started her career as a lecturer at Lady Hardings Medical College, Delhi, where she set up a cardiologic clinic. In 1954, she was among the first few women cardiologists in India. In 1967, she joined Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, and was awarded the Padma Bhusan in the same year.
During the 1970s, she was the chief administrator of 3 major hospitals at the same time – Maulana Azad Medical College, Lok Nayak Hospital, and G.B.Pant. She retired as the Director (Principal) of the Maulana Azad Medical college, in 1978. Post-retirement, she set up the National Heart Institute (NHI) under AIHF, in South Delhi, in 1981, where she continued to work.
Dr. Padmavati was infected with COVID-19. She developed pneumonia in both lungs and needed ventilator support. But, she sustained a cardiac arrest and passed away on Sunday.
Many netizens came forward to express their grief on the loss of this inspiring soul:
SI Padmavati: India’s 1st female cardiologist dies of Covid at 103.
— Anju Bhardwaj MD FACC (@docbhardwaj) August 31, 2020
RIP ???????????????? and the legacy lives on.. https://t.co/4Pb2ghDnPB
Dr S Padmavati founder of National heart institute and a great Cardiologist died yesterday at the age of 103 years. 50-60 years before when there used to be few in number cardiologist, Padmavati had the best hand to open your heart and tell’ये दिल चाहता क्या है’@LangaMahesh
— Pravesh Jain (@PRAVESHPARAS) August 31, 2020
I am truly saddened to hear of Dr.Padmavati passing, her compassionate nature as a Dr was so refreshing. She was one of the nicest and most professional Dr’s. We will always be thankful for her excellent service she gave and our prayers and blessings to all her family members.???? pic.twitter.com/PcMYGXXxtx
— Aruna (@Aruna_AMMK) August 31, 2020
India’s 1st woman cardiologist passes away at the age of 103.
— Phoolsingh Yadav (@Phoolsi38672425) August 31, 2020
RIP Dr. Padmavati
Om Shanti ???? pic.twitter.com/oVKV0av20S pic.twitter.com/AztD9lIVeP
My humble tribute to Dr SI Padmavati, Director of Delhi’s National Heart Institute & Founder Prez, All India Heart Foundation.
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) August 30, 2020
A Padma Vibhushan awardee, she was India’s 1st woman cardiologist & established the 1st cardiac clinic & cath lab in N India !@MoHFW_INDIA @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/S9lRBuMUL5
My humble tributes on the passing away of Dr SI Padmavati, a Padma Vibhushan awardee, she was India’s 1st woman cardiologist & established the 1st cardiac clinic & cath lab in India ! An amazing personality who worked till the age of 103, twelve hours a day & five days a week ! pic.twitter.com/uLYZgGBa6d
— ʀᴏꜱʜᴀɴ ᴀɢʀᴀᴡᴀʟ (@RoshanAgrawal98) August 30, 2020
May her soul rest in peace.