Dr. Kamala Selvaraj is a name that resonates with groundbreaking achievements in Indian medical history. Known for commissioning South India’s first test-tube baby in August 1990 and delivering India’s first surrogate baby in 1994, her accomplishments extend far beyond her lineage as the daughter of legendary actor Gemini Ganesan. While many celebrities kids follow in their parents’ footsteps, Dr. Selvaraj blazed her own path and became one of Tamil Nadu’s first gynecologists. One such inspiring figure is Dr Kamala Selvaraj, whose remarkable achievements in her field inspire many women striving to make their mark.
Who is Dr Kamala Selvaraj?
Dr Kamala Selvaraj was born on December 13, 1948, to the Tamil film actor Ramasamy Ganesan, famously known by his stage name Gemini Ganesan, and his wife Alamelu. Dr Kamala grew up with her sisters—Revathi and Jayalakshmi, who both became doctors, and Narayani, a journalist. Dr Kamala is also the half-sister of superstar Rekha, who is the daughter of Gemini Ganesan with his second wife, actor Pushpavalli.
Education
She studied at Sacred Heart Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai. She completed her MBBS degree at Kasturba Medical College, Karnataka in 1967, MD at Madras Medical College, Madras University in 1978 and DGO at Madras Medical College, Madras University in 1972. She joined Teaching Cadre and served Govt. Hospital for Women & Children, Egmore, Chennai and Ph.D in Reproductive Physiology and started her distinguished medical career.
An Ace Gynecologist
After undergoing training in IVF in Australia and Singapore, Dr. Selvaraj founded the GG Hospital in Chennai in 1989, named after her father, focusing on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Since then, she has done groundbreaking research and technological advancements at her Chennai-based hospital.
- 1990: Delivering South India’s first test-tube baby, the third in India, through IVF.
- 1994: Successfully delivering India’s first surrogate baby.
- 1995: Implementing the FROOTI technique, her innovative approach to assisted reproduction.
Dr. Selvaraj created a history in 2001 when she delivered the first surrogate twins in Southeast Asia to a patient who had Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome, a rare congenital disorder that affects the uterus and vaginal canal. It is marked by the underdevelopment or absence of the uterus and the upper portion of the vaginal canal, while the external genitalia remain typically formed and the ovaries function normally.
Dr. Selvaraj’s hospital has brought joy to thousands, with over 800 babies born through assisted reproduction therapy under her guidance. She is fondly referred to as “The Godmother” by grateful parents worldwide. Her late husband, Dr Somiah Francis Victor Selvaraj, a renowned cardiologist and physician used to work alongside Selvaraj at GG Hospital. Her son, Dr Prof. Deepu Rajkamal Selvaraj, serves as the Managing Director and an Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon, while her daughter, Dr Priya Selvaraj, follows in her mother’s footsteps, advancing research in reproductive technology.
Achievements
Dr Kamala has been a recipient of many prestigious awards for her noble work. In 2002 she was awarded PhD for her thesis on “Premature Ovarian Failure and its management”. She was also awarded the “Best Lady Doctor Award-1993” and “Rajiv Gandhi Memorial National Integration Award-1995”.
Dr. Kamala Selvaraj’s life is a testament to determination, innovation, and compassion. By overcoming challenges and achieving unparalleled success, she continues to inspire countless individuals, especially women, to aim higher and make a difference.
