India’s First Female Cardiologist Died at 103
India’s “Godmother of Cardiology” has passed away at the age of 103.
India’s first female cardiologist was Dr SI Padmavati. She was 103 years old. She was lovingly called the “Godmother of Cardiology” because she was an expert in the field of cardiology. She established North India’s first Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Lady Hardinge Medical College in 1954. Dr Padmavati founded the All India Heart Foundation in 1962. Dr. Padmavati founded the National Heart Institute (NHI) in 1981. Till 2015 Dr. Padmavati was working for 12 hours a day, five days a week at the National Heart Institute (NHI). In 1967, she took over as Director-Principal of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) and started the first coronary care van in India.
She won the Padma Bhushan in 1967 and Padma Vibhushan in 1992. She was admitted to National Heart Institute (NHI) 11 days ago as she was infected with COVID-19. Dr Padmavati developed a severe infection in both her lungs because of which she died. Her last rites were performed at the Punjabi Bagh crematorium in West Delhi. She led an active and healthy life till her last few days.
