Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: Jharkhand’s renowned ophthalmologist and social worker Dr. Bharti Kashyap has been elected unopposed as Honorary Joint Secretary (IMA AKNSI) in the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) national executive for the 2026-2028 term, giving Jharkhand national-level representation in the medical field.
Dr. Kashyap Among Four Women Doctors Elected Nationally
According to official results released by IMA’s Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. Bharti Kashyap has become part of the 55-member national leadership team. Among the four prominent women doctors elected at the national level, alongside Dr. Kashyap from Jharkhand, are Dr. Mona Desai from Gujarat, Dr. Neelam Lekhi from Delhi and Dr. Sunila Soni from Haryana.
Kashyap Aims to Strengthen Women’s Health and Rural Healthcare
On receiving her new responsibility, Dr. Bharti Kashyap said the position offers an opportunity to strengthen the voice of the medical field, expressing her intent to advance work on women’s health, cervical cancer prevention, and improved healthcare facilities in rural areas.
Extensive Background in Women’s Health Advocacy
Dr. Kashyap previously served as national co-chair of IMA headquarters’ Women Doctors Wing from 2022 to 2024, and currently serves as president of IMA Jharkhand’s Women Doctors Wing, running several campaigns focused on women’s health in Jharkhand’s rural and tribal areas.
Jharkhand Model for Cervical Cancer Screening Since 2021
Since 2021, Dr. Kashyap has worked on developing the Jharkhand Model for cervical cancer screening, which enables low-cost examination of women along with on-site treatment when needed. As of May 2026, nearly 6 lakh women have been screened under this initiative, significantly exceeding the state government’s target of 2.7 lakh.
Digital Equipment Provided at 14 Government Hospitals
To expand screening and treatment facilities for women, digital video colposcopes and cryotherapy units have been made available at 14 government hospitals across the state, with government women doctors also trained in using this equipment.
Women Doctors Wing Becomes Official Partner of National Health Mission
Through Dr. Kashyap’s efforts, IMA Jharkhand’s Women Doctors Wing was made an official non-financial partner of the National Health Mission in 2025, integrating the cervical cancer prevention campaign with the government healthcare system.
Significant Contributions to Eye Health as Well
Dr. Kashyap has also made notable contributions to eye health, with more than 25 lakh government school children having undergone eye examinations under her initiatives. Additionally, approximately 1,100 corneal transplants have been performed through the Kashyap Memorial Eye Bank, and she played a role in initiating posthumous eye donation and corneal transplants in undivided Bihar-Jharkhand in 1996.
