Celebrated gynaecologist, Dr. Manjula Anagani is an exceptional woman with a lengthy list of accomplishments. In 1999, she started her private practice as the youngest gynaecology consultant in a corporate Hospital. She carved a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records owing to a case where she removed the most number of fibroids in a single operation. In 2014-15, Dr. Manjula was conferred the prestigious Padmashree Award by the then President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee for her contributions to the field of medicine.

Underneath Dr. Manjula’s revered accomplishments is her innate desire to serve her patients to the best of her abilities. She had ventured into the field of gynecology when it was still largely male dominated. Dr. Manjula braved gender prejudice and prioritized her patient’s wellbeing.

Today she heads Suyosha, a Hyderabad based healthcare institution that focuses on women’s health needs.

In an in-depth conversation with the Women Entrepreneur magazine team, Dr Manjula takes us through her illustrious professional journey and introduces us to the woman behind the doctor’s coat. Here are choice excerpts from the conversation.

Give An Overview Of Suyosha. In Your Opinion What Is Suyosha’s Usp?

Suyosha is a team of gynaecologists who believe in treating the patient as a whole rather than just going by the reports. We were among the first to pioneer minimally invasive Gynae endoscopic surgery, where the patient's outcome is prioritised in the form of patient safety, and Surgeon’s outcome in the form of ergonomics are considered. Our USP has been the utilisation of minimally invasive techniques to treat abnormal uterine bleeding problems laparoscopically, as well as other medical techniques such as Mirena, thermal ablations. We are known for treating Endometriosis and Fibroid uterus laparoscopically. Started Dr. Manjula Angani’s Centre for Regenerative Medicine for ovarian rejuvenation in cases decreased Ovarian reserve or in cases of Premature/ Primary ovarian failure. These treatments use autologous bone marrow stem cells and PRP, has been menopausal syndrome. We are skilled at handling high-risk pregnancies and repeated pregnancy losses, as well as diagnosing and treating the problem, resulting in a healthy mother and baby.

Take Us Through Your Early Educational Journey And Prior Industry Experience That You Bring To The Table.

I completed my MBBS from Gandhi Medical College, my MD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, and my FICOG from the Indian College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. I worked as the Chief Gynecologist, Obstetrician, Infertility Specialist, and Laparoscopic Surgeon at many corporate hospitals. I started my carrer as a consultant at Apollo Hospitals and later as the Head of the Gynecology Department at CARE, YASHODA, BEAMS and Medicover- Woman and Child Hospital.

Since 2006, I've been a DNB (Directorate of National Board) teacher and faculty member at Ethicon Institute of Surgical Education (EISA) and CeMAST (Centre for Excellence in Minimal Access Surgical Techniques). I conduct regular training for Basic and Advanced Laparoscopic Techniques, duly guiding more than 500 gynaecologists in the country. I am presently the founder secretary, IAGE, Telangana Chapter.

Currently, I head “Suyosha – A Perfect Woman” to address all aspects of woman’s health, child abuse, health education of adolescent girls and anti- hysterectomy campaign for avoidable surgeries through regular awareness campaigns in TV, Print Media, schools and public forums. I am also the Clinical Director and HOD of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Care Hospitals and Dr. Manjula Anagani’s centre for Regenerative Medicine.

Tell Us About The Varied Expertise That You Possess As A Gynaecologist. What Trends Do You Foresee Developing In The Indian Healthcare Industry Going Forward?

I am widely known as a minimally invasive Gynae-endoscopic surgeon, high-risk obstetrician, and urogynaecologist. We are highly renowned for our laparoscopic myomectomy, endometriotic cystectomy, and TLH methods, as well as ovarian transposition, rejuvenation, and neovagina formation Techniques. Our expertise has propelled Suyosha to become a healthcare institution of choice for people from across the world.

I have seen youngsters showing interest in learning the minimally invasive techniques, and patients looking at the minimally invasive technique as an alternative. There is a movement to raise awareness which can be achieved through the courtesy of media and the government that is attempting to avoid unnecessary hysterectomy. Today patients are also increasingly seeking preventive gynaecology. People begin to contemplate getting tested rather than believing that going to a doctor means they will be diagnosed with a problem. They now realise that they must go through these tests in order to avoid a problem.

What Have Been The Most Significant Milestones That You Have Achieved So Far In Your Professional Journey? What Has Been Your Guiding Philosophy Throughout Your Illustrious Journey?

In my opinion, every step I've taken has been a significant milestone in my life. My first major career milestone was joining Apollo as the youngest gynaecology consultant in 1999 and as the youngest HOD of Dept. of Gynaecology in leading corporate hospital- CARE Hospitals. Another significant achievement was the removal of the greatest number of fibroids in a single operation, which was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, also bestowed the prestigious Padmashree Award on me for my contributions to medicine in 2014-2015. I won awards for best endoscopic paper, best laparoscopic surgeon, and best miscellaneous paper twice in AICOG.

"Dreams alone don’t bring any outcomes. It’s Important to believe in yourself."

I also won the Health Care Excellence Award for Best Medical and Healthcare Professionals by Indus Foundation at the Indo- Global Healthcare Summit Expo 2014, the Navaratna Mahila Award by GVR Aradhana Cultural Foundation, the Dr. C.S. Dawn Prize for her work on "Laparoscopic Management of Ectopic Pregnancy in Previous Caesarean Scar " by FOGSI (Federation of Gyn & Obst of India), the President’s Trophy: Dr. Suili Rudra Sinha Prize by FOGSI (Federation of Gyn & Obst of India) etc, I was also awarded “Surgeon of Excellence” by SRC-USA in 2018, “The Legend” in the field of Gynaecology by Times health care Achievers 2018 and “ Hall Of Fame” in Obstetrics and Gynaecology by Times Excellence awards- Telangana in 2021.

Throughout the journey, my guiding philosophy has been to prioritize the patient's safety. Another guiding philosophy that I learned from my mentor, Dr. P.S. Murthy, the most senior physician alive today, is time management and discipline.

As A Successful Healthcare Professional What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Aspiring To Foray Into The Same Field In The Future?

My first advice to young women is to love and believe in themselves. Dreams alone don’t bring any outcomes. It’s important to believe in yourself.

Choose your mentor wisely and master your skills learnt. Then take the technology and shine it around while keeping the patient as the top priority. My mantra for success- 6 T’s: Technique, technology, Training, Team work, Teaching and Temperament. Your attitude is what will propel you to the heights you desire. I would also urge individuals to never give up hope. Never ever compromise on your happiness.

Dr. Manjula Anagani Clinic- “Suyosha” Hyderabad, Telangana

She is the First Doctor in the Country to utilize autologous Stem Cells to regenerate endometrium in case of endometrial aplasia (i.e., genetically absent lining of uterus). She is accomplished with Pioneering a new technique in India to create a Neovagina using a minimally invasive technique for woman with absent vagina.