As the vibrant festival of Diwali approaches, celebrated with lights and fireworks, lets honour the remarkable legacy of Dr. J.L. Gupta, a pioneering figure in burn care in India. Awarded the Padma Shri in 1974 and Dr. B.C Roy award (the highest honor a physician can receive in India) in 1976, Dr. Gupta’s contributions have redefined the treatment of burns, providing hope and healing to countless burn victims. Burn care was his passion until his last breath this year, on January 23, 2024, when he passed away at the age of 95.
A Journey Marked by Resilience
Dr. Gupta’s path to medicine was filled with challenges. Born into a modest family, he overcame financial hardships and struggled during the partition, staying in refugee camps and relocating from Lahore to Jalandhar to Calcutta to finish his MBBS. After his MS, He completed his super specialty training in Plastic surgery at the prestigious AIIMS, setting the stage for a career that would leave a lasting impact.
In 1963, due to his continuous efforts and awareness, government decided to start a Department of Plastic Surgery at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. Dr. J.L. Gupta at age of 35, had the honour of starting and developing this unit and by sheer hard work and dedication it became the Mecca of Burns Management in the country in short time. It still is the largest burn centre in the country.
Some of his transformative contributions to burn care are:
Establishing Burn Units (1970s–1980s)
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health during the tenures of Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Dr. Gupta advocated for the establishment of dedicated burn units across India. His relentless efforts transformed burn care from an underfunded and neglected area into a vital component of the healthcare system.
Co-Founding NABI (1993)
Dr. Gupta co-founded the National Academy of Burns India (NABI) in 1993, a significant step in standardizing burn management practices. This organization became a platform for training and collaboration, allowing healthcare professionals to share best practices and implement advanced treatment protocols across the nation. It still functions as one of the primary education and training platforms for doctors and nurses across the nation, in burn care.
Innovating Treatment Protocols (2000s)
Throughout the early 2000s, Dr. Gupta developed innovative protocols for burn treatment, particularly in skin grafting and scar management. He advocated the early tangential excision and skin grafting, which is still followed. His pioneering techniques and extensive publications in national and international journals elevated the standard of care and provided invaluable resources for professionals worldwide.
National Burns Prevention Program (2010)
Concerned about the plight of burn victims, he suggested a National Burns Prevention Program to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. After many meetings and discussions, a pilot project started in 2010, and now it is part of a 5-year plan. Due to his efforts, every medical college now has a burns unit, and there has been a massive increase in the workforce for treating burns.
Dr. Gupta remained personally involved in this program until the last day of his life, actively involved in public awareness too.
Honours and Awards
In 2021, to honour his legacy, the Indian government established the “Dr. J.L. Gupta Award” for Excellence in Burn Management. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of burn care and treatment, ensuring that his commitment to improving lives continues to inspire future generations.
As we celebrate Diwali this year, let us remember Dr. J.L. Gupta’s invaluable contributions. His legacy illustrates that plastic surgeons are not just healers of the body; they are also vital ushers of hope and renewal for those whose lives have been irrevocably altered by burn trauma.
