Dr. Vaibhav R. Deogirkar A fitting tribute to lifesaving legacy

MUMBAI/ PUNJAB, 29 APRIL, 2026 GPN/ SACHIN MURDESHWAR 📞 8108510506: Dr. Vaibhav R. Devgirkar, founder and president of Dev Desh Medical Educational Social Foundation, Mumbai, has been honoured with the prestigious Bharat Vibhushan Samman 2026 for his outstanding contribution to healthcare and social service across India.

The award was presented on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during a grand ceremony was organised in the esteemed hall of the Punjab Legislative Assembly by the Institute for Social Reforms and Higher Education Charitable Trust. Punjab Assembly Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan conferred the honour upon Dr. Devgirkar. More than 60 distinguished personalities from across India, representing various fields, were selected for this national recognition.

Dr. Devgirkar was honoured particularly for his selfless service in healthcare and his impactful Cancer-Free India mission, especially in underserved and remote regions such as Manipur. Since establishing the Dev Desh Foundation in 2010, he has organized more than 815 free medical camps across rural Maharashtra and several other parts of the country, benefiting lakhs of people through medical check-ups, treatment, and health awareness initiatives.

Driven by his guiding principle that no one should be denied treatment due to lack of money, Dr. Devgirkar has emerged as a powerful force in preventive healthcare. His work in Manipur, where cancer rates have been a growing concern, has received special recognition.

In a 2024 research publication, Dr. Devgirkar evaluated a breast cancer awareness initiative in Imphal, highlighting a serious lack of early diagnosis awareness and emphasizing the urgent need for intervention. Building on this, between February and March 2026, his team overcame significant challenges to conduct large-scale free cancer screening camps across Manipur.

In collaboration with Dr. Swapnil Mane’s Saidham Cancer Hospital, NMO Manipur, Bal Vidya Mandir, and The Morning Bell, these camps screened citizens for breast cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer, and lifestyle diseases. On February 26, over 300 women underwent advanced screenings at Bal Vidya Mandir in Imphal, followed by additional camps on February 27 in Nongpok Sekmai and Herok Part-2 in Thoubal district, where more than 180 citizens benefited.

All diagnosed patients were assured free treatment at Saidham Hospital. The initiative was widely appreciated across the state. In a letter dated March 9, 2026, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh described the mission as an “excellent example” of humanitarian healthcare. The Directorate of AYUSH and local health centers also praised the campaign.

Dr. Devgirkar’s work goes beyond social service—it represents transformative leadership. From the villages of Maharashtra to the remote corners of Manipur, he has built a vital bridge of accessible healthcare, making a profound difference in countless lives.