Prayagraj: Women surgeons are increasingly making their presence felt in medical field, marking a significant shift in what was traditionally a male-dominated specialisation.
At Prayagraj’s MLN Medical College, statistics show remarkable progress. While only one female student chose surgical postgraduate training from 2007 to 2016, the number increased substantially to 23 between 2017 and 2023, said renowned surgeon and immediate past president of the Association of Surgeons of India (ASI), Dr Probal Neogi.
Similarly, Sarojini Naidu Medical College in Agra witnessed a rise from 7 women opting for surgery during 2007–2016 to 16 between 2017 and 2023. At King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the country, the numbers surged from 9 to 26 in the same period, showcasing its reputation for fostering talent across genders, he said.
A similar pattern emerged at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, where the count rose from 12 to 27. Likewise, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur, too reported a leap from 13 to 26 women surgeons over the same period, further emphasising this positive trend. At Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi, the number grew from 1 to 19, Neogi added.
“This significant shift reflects both societal change and the determination of young women to excel in challenging fields. Recognising this shift, ASI has established a mentor-mentee programme to support, help and guide female surgeons. Female mentors in surgery from across the country have been chosen to help younger female surgeons, who can approach them with their problems,” he said.
Confirming the trend, vice-chancellor of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University (lucknow) Dr Sanjeev Mishra said: “Foremost reasons for this change is an overall decline in the gender bias in the society along with massive technological advancement following which new instruments and machines have opened new windows of the super-specialist branches that the female students can opt for.”
They are now switching over to branches like plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, trauma, and even orthopaedic, said the renowned surgeon who was director and CEO of AIIMS Rishikesh, Gorakhpur, and Rajkot.
Media in-charge and associate professor in the department of surgery, MLN Medical College, Dr Santosh Singh said: “Surgery is about precision, patience and perseverance. Women are proving every day that they possess these qualities in abundance. The journey ahead is filled with challenges, but with every scalpel held by a woman, the glass ceiling cracks a little more. And perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, it will shatter completely, creating a truly inclusive and equitable surgical profession.”
A senior resident in the surgery department, Dr Atreyee Shaha said: “When I decided to pursue surgery, many people warned me about the challenges. They were right—it is tough. But the satisfaction of saving lives makes every challenge worthwhile.”
Changes in hospital environments have made workplaces safer and more harmonious, enabling men and women to work comfortably together, which is another factor because of which now female students are opting for surgery, she added.