Enabling Miracles

Dr Priya Selvaraj, one of the country’s ace doctors, has created a breakthrough in medicine with delivering the country’s first baby to a uterine cancer survivor. Neeti Jaychander speaks to the multi-faceted achiever

- Neeti Jaychander

One of the country’s most prolific doctors, practising obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Priya Selvaraj has been helping couples conceive and have children for many years. Specialising in fertility medicine for more than 18 years, she has several firsts and achievements to her credit. Her most recent breakthrough is a baby born to a uterine cancer survivor, the first in India. Excerpts from a chat with the remarkable and unassuming lady.

You are one of India’s most popular fertility experts. What prompted you ”to work in this field of medicine?

Frankly, it was not my first choice. I wanted to become a surgeon or an intensive care physician. During internship, when I experienced the work in this field, I thought deeply about what it had to offer and took it up. The part that excited me the most then, was that I could do surgery as well as work in a laboratory, and I have now developed a keen interest in the field. For the past eight years, I have undergone training in fertility preservation techniques for cancer patients. It is an upcoming field, which offers men and women the option to preserve their fertility prior to undergoing a cancer treatment. It requires teamwork between the treating oncologist and the fertility specialist.

How did you work towards achieving your goal?