Leadership in healthcare often lies in recognising gaps and choosing to address them with intent. For Prof. Dr Sarman Singh, this has meant dedicating his work to chronic and rare diseases, bringing together clinical insight, research, and advocacy to create more informed and accessible pathways of care. As the Founder & Director of the Advanced Centre for Chronic and Rare Diseases in New Delhi, and a former Director of premier institutions like AIIMS Bhopal and AIIMS Bibi Nagar, his journey reflects not just leadership, but vision, one that prioritises a deeper commitment and an intention to bridge gaps in diagnosis, awareness, and access, ensuring that even the rarest conditions are met with informed care.
In this exclusive interview, THIP Media explores his journey in medicine, the defining moments that shaped his philosophy, and how being a doctor continues to transform his leadership and vision. Excerpts…
What inspired you to become a doctor? Was there a defining moment that shaped your decision?
I come from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, hardly more than a dot on the map, with about 120 inhabitants. My parents were unlettered, and in that world, education was not just a goal, it was my only ladder out of obscurity. I studied in a nearby college under severe financial constraints, often feeling as though I was walking a tightrope between aspiration and limitation.
When I moved to Aligarh for my BSc, a new world opened before me. For the first time, I could see that science could be a gateway to a larger life. Opportunities were scarce, and the only coaching institution in Aligarh, was beyond my means.
But once the seed of determination took root, it refused to wither. Though I had already completed my BSc, I gathered the courage to appear for the entrance examination. Against the odds, I secured admission to prestigious King George’s Medical College, Lucknow. Looking back, it was not one moment, but a slow-burning fire of resolve that shaped my journey.
How would you describe your journey from medical school to where you are today?
My journey through medical school was like crossing a stormy sea with fragile sails. Financial hardship and social challenges were constant companions. Sustaining an MBBS education from such humble beginnings was no small feat.
However, once I crossed that turbulent phase, the waters became calmer. From serving as a House Surgeon at Dr RML Hospital (Willingdon) in Delhi to training at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and later spending over three decades at AIIMS, New Delhi, my career unfolded step by step, like a path carved through persistence.
Recognition and awards came along the way, but what mattered most was the ability to turn knowledge into service. My work in research, especially at the grassroots level, has been my way of giving back. Though I feel content, the horizon still calls me forward.
Who or what has been your biggest influence or mentor in life?
My mother was my first guiding light. Despite all hardships, she never allowed my dreams to dim and never asked me to quit studies.
Professionally, my time at PGIMER, Chandigarh shaped me profoundly, and mentors like Prof. Shriniwas, the Head, Department of Microbiology at AIIMS, New Delhi and Dr. V.M. Katoch, former Secretary, Department of Health Research, Government of India, acted as both compass and anchor—guiding me while keeping me grounded.
What has been the most rewarding moment of your medical career so far?
To see one’s purpose take shape is the greatest reward. Among my professional achievements, developing a rapid diagnostic kit for kala-azar stands out, it felt like lighting a lamp in a long-dark corridor of suffering.
Yet, the most precious moments have been deeply human ones. When parents thank you for saving their unborn child, their joy feels like sunlight breaking through clouds after a long storm. Those moments stay with you far longer than any award.
What core values guide your work as a doctor?
Life has taught me a few simple but enduring truths: never give up, stay the course, be honest in your work, and never forget where you came from. Above all, remain human, because without compassion, medicine is like a body without a soul.
How has your speciality evolved over the years, and how have you adapted to these changes?
I had once set my heart on becoming an orthopaedic surgeon, but life had other plans. The events of 1984 changed my course, and I stepped into clinical microbiology, a field that was then in the shadows. With the emergence of HIV/AIDS, the discipline came into the spotlight, and with advances in molecular biology and genomics, it evolved rapidly. It was like watching a quiet stream transform into a powerful river.
The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this transformation. Today, diagnostics that once took days can be completed in hours. Adapting to these changes has meant constantly learning, because in medicine, standing still is the same as falling behind.
How do you handle the emotional challenges of your profession?
Doctors carry not just stethoscopes, but also the weight of human emotions. Personal losses leave deep imprints, but professional challenges can be equally profound.
One of the most difficult moments in my life came on October 31, 1984, during the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Being the first on-duty orthopaedic doctor to attend to those involved was like standing at the crossroads of duty and emotion. In such moments, one learns to let professionalism lead, even when the heart is heavy.
What’s one innovation or practice you’ve introduced that made a difference in patient care?
Among my several contributions, the development of a rapid diagnostic kit for kala-azar remains closest to my heart. It was not just a scientific achievement—it was a lifeline for countless patients.
With the dedicated efforts of my team, especially my PhD student R Sivakumar, the technology moved from the laboratory to the field. Seeing it make a real-world impact felt like watching a small spark grow into a guiding flame.
Health awareness levels in India are still evolving. What steps can improve health literacy?
Improving health literacy requires more than isolated efforts, it calls for a change in mindset. Health and education are two sides of the same coin; one cannot flourish without the other.
Low awareness often leads to delayed treatment and poor preventive practices. Addressing this is not just about policy, but about reaching people where they are—like carrying light into every corner, not just the well-lit spaces.
Equally important is ensuring that healthcare professionals are not clustered only in cities. A system is only as strong as its weakest link, and rural healthcare needs urgent strengthening. Many of these initiatives require a significantly more budget allocation for both health and education. The second most worrisome aspect is conglomeration of qualified healthcare providers in the bigger cities, which is not without reasons. These doctors and their families are scared of their security, safety, education of their children and general minimal facilities at tier 3 and 4 level of public health centres.
How do you see the future of healthcare in India, and what role do you hope to play in it?
Despite challenges, I remain hopeful. India stands at the threshold of transformation, and healthcare is poised to benefit from innovation and self-reliance.
With knowledge now at our fingertips, the possibilities are vast. I hope to continue contributing through research and mentorship—playing my part, however small, in building a healthier nation. After all, progress is not a sprint but a marathon, and every step counts.
Quick Shots
- If you weren’t a doctor, what would you have been
I never set out with a blueprint to become one, so it is hard to imagine another path. - What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine
Old Hindi music, like a gentle companion to the soul. - Your social media routine includes
Mornings begin with WhatsApp, X, and emails; evenings drift into other platforms. - Morning workouts or evening workouts
Walking—simple, steady, and grounding. - Your favourite healthy drink
Milk, plain and nourishing. - How do you define success as a doctor
Not profit, but compassion in action. - A book or movie that deeply inspired you
Films like Mother India, Pakeeza, Upkar and Lagaan, stories of resilience, lyrics, music and spirit. - A medical myth you wish people would stop believing
That ghee is always harmful—like many things, it depends on balance. - The one gadget you can’t live without
My mobile phone, the modern-day lifeline.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at factcheck@thip.in. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
