Chennai, March 22, 2026: The 40th Prof. M. Viswanathan Gold Medal Oration was organized by M.V. Diabetes and the Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre in Royapuram, Chennai.
Dr. A V Anoop Managing Director of AVA Group of Companies, a consortium of ayurvedic, herbal and food products was adorned with MV Con Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Anoop has combined Ayurveda & modern medicine. His passion for Ayurveda is widely recognized. Ayurveda has an important role to play in the field of Diabetology. Shri Murali K, Director of CFTI Chennai, graced the event as the Chief Guest. CFTI is established under the aegis of the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India, is a premier institution dedicated to the development of skilled manpower for the footwear and allied industries.
Dr. Vijay Viswanathan, Chief Physician of M.V. Diabetes and the Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram, Chennai, who is currently serving as an Immediate Past President of RSSDI spoke about the book on Diabetic Foot, which was launched during the event. This book is a reflection of his vast experience and academic leadership, as he is a pioneer in diabetic foot research. He is part of the IWGDF (International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot) on Wound healing & offloading guidelines 2027.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Das, Dean Academics & Emeritus Professor, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry received the 40th Prof. M. Viswanathan Gold Medal Oration. He delivered an insightful address on Association of Government & diabetes He was the main collaborator of the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) project on YDR (Young Diabetes Registry).
In his address, Dr. AK Das mentioned that low- and middle-income countries bear a significant burden of diabetes. And diabetes in young (<30 years) is causing severe morbidity and mortality in the society.
In his address, Dr. Vijay Viswanathan emphasized that the oration and the launch of book are significant milestones in raising awareness about global best practices in diabetes care in India. Dr. Viswanathan stressed the urgent need for a holistic and integrated approach to diabetes management. He called for coordinated interventions across the healthcare sector, involving the government, medical professionals, and the community, to curb India’s diabetes epidemic and prevent further strain on healthcare resources.
Dr. Viswanathan said that RSSDI envisions a holistic and integrated approach to diabetes care by actively engaging multiple stakeholders across various sectors. Committed to setting measurable goals he has initiated an RSSDI project- ongoing Diabetic Foot Ulcer registry (Save the Feet Keep Walking 2.0) to improve understanding of trends, treatment efficacy, and patient outcomes across diverse populations across India. Dr. Vijay being the Chairman of the Research Committee of RSSDI is focused on enhancing research interest across the nation.
With over 70 years of experience, MV Diabetes has developed a dedicated team capable of providing complete care for diabetes and diabetic foot complications.
