Dr. Suresh Hanagavadi: From Haemophilia Patient to National Defender of Rare Blood Disorders

In the vast expanse of India’s healthcare ecosystem, some individuals emerge not only as healers but as catalysts of change. Among these rare figures stands Dr. Suresh Hanagavadi, a medical professional whose personal battle with a rare inherited condition propelled him into a lifetime of service for others facing similar challenges. Recently honoured with the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, Dr. Hanagavadi’s journey is a compelling narrative of resilience, dedication, and transformative social impact.

Early Life and Personal Struggle

Born and raised in a setting where medical resources were limited, Dr. Hanagavadi’s encounter with haemophilia began at an early age. Haemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder where the blood does not clot normally, leading to prolonged bleeding even from minor injuries. He was diagnosed with severe haemophilia B and grew up confronting pain, frequent hospital visits, and interrupted schooling resulting from his condition. His personal struggles did not end with his own health; witnessing the tragic and preventable death of his maternal uncle due to a misdiagnosed bleed deeply affected him and shaped his life’s mission.

Rather than allow these early experiences to limit his life, Dr. Hanagavadi chose to confront them head-on. His personal adversity became the foundation of his empathy and resolve—to ensure that no family would suffer the loss of a loved one due to ignorance, lack of awareness, or absence of proper care for haemophilia.

Academic and Medical Career

Dr. Hanagavadi pursued medical education with exceptional determination, ultimately specialising in pathology. He is currently a Professor of Pathology at JJM Medical College in Davanagere, Karnataka, where he has combined academic rigour with hands-on clinical work, particularly in blood disorders and haemophilia care.

His work in pathology is notable not just for its scientific depth but for its direct impact on improving diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes for patients living with hereditary bleeding disorders. Through his academic role, Dr. Hanagavadi has mentored countless students and healthcare professionals, fostering a generation of clinicians equipped to recognise and treat complex haematological conditions.

Founded Karnataka Hemophilia Society

Perhaps Dr. Hanagavadi’s most transformative contribution to healthcare in India is the establishment of the Karnataka Hemophilia Society (KHS). Founded in 1990, KHS was created with the goal of addressing the critical gaps in haemophilia care—ranging from early diagnosis and treatment availability to comprehensive patient support.

Under his guidance, the Society provides a range of services including counselling, free or subsidised treatment, and education about managing bleeding disorders. The organisation also acts as a nexus between patients, healthcare systems, government bodies, and donors, creating pathways for specialised care that were previously non-existent in many parts of the state.

Over the years, the Karnataka Hemophilia Society has become a model of haemophilia care in India. Thousands of patients from Karnataka and surrounding regions benefit from its programmes, which include access to clotting factor concentrates, emergency support, and systematic follow-ups that help manage long-term complications.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement

Dr. Hanagavadi’s influence goes well beyond clinical practice and institutional care. He has engaged extensively in policy advocacy to improve systemic support for people with haemophilia. His work includes pushing for improved diagnostic facilities at district hospitals, inclusion of clotting-factor medicines in government health schemes, and greater public awareness to reduce stigma and delays in treatment.

He emphasises that the absence of basic haemophilia awareness among general practitioners and healthcare workers significantly hinders early diagnosis—a barrier that can lead to preventable disability or death. Dr. Hanagavadi advocates for comprehensive training and awareness drives so that families and frontline healthcare providers can detect and manage the condition sooner and more effectively.

Recognition and Awards

In recognition of his lifelong commitment to healthcare and social service, Dr. Suresh Hanagavadi was conferred the Padma Shri in 2026 by the Government of India. The award acknowledged not only his medical expertise but also the deep humanitarian impact of his work for haemophilia patients—a community that has historically been underserved and overlooked.

Prior to this, he has received national accolades for his individual excellence as a person with disability and a social advocate, further highlighting his dual role as both a recipient of care and a provider of life-changing support to others.

Vision for the Future

For Dr. Hanagavadi, the journey is far from over. He continues to champion not only improved care standards but also research into newer therapies that could change the landscape of haemophilia treatment in India. With advances such as long-acting clotting factors and monoclonal antibody therapies, haemophilia patients today have more hope of leading normal lives—with fewer bleeding episodes and less long-term disability.

His focus is firmly on expanding access to these innovations, ensuring policy inclusion, and strengthening public health systems so that every patient, irrespective of economic or geographic status, can benefit from modern haemophilia care.

Legacy and Impact

Dr. Suresh Hanagavadi’s life story is a testament to how personal adversity, when met with courage and compassion, can become a powerful force for collective good. From enduring painful health challenges in childhood to leading efforts that shape healthcare delivery across a large Indian state, his contributions resonate far beyond pathology wards and medical textbooks.

Through the Karnataka Hemophilia Society, education programmes, and unwavering advocacy, Dr. Hanagavadi has ensured that haemophilia patients are no longer marginalised but are equipped with the resources, dignity, and hope they deserve. His recognition with the Padma Shri cements his legacy as both a healer and a social reformer—someone whose life work continues to inspire patients, providers, and policymakers alike.