Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine & Diabetes at the Chennai National Meet on Friday. The award citation recognised his “outstanding contribution as a distinguished medical professional, author, and advocate for advancing diabetes care and public health.”
This is the second Lifetime Achievement Award Dr Singh has received for medical excellence, the first being conferred in July 2024 at an international meet in Chennai.
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The award was presented at MVCON 2026, organised by M.V. Diabetes Chennai, founded in 1954 by Late Prof. M. Viswanathan, one of the founding fathers of Diabetology in India, alongside other luminaries like Prof. M.M.S. Ahuja, Prof. Sam J.P. Moses, Prof. B.B. Tripathi, and Prof. V. Seshiah.
Dr. Singh expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasising its special significance as it honours the legacy of Prof. Viswanathan. He viewed it as a tribute not only to his own work but also to the rich tradition of medical excellence shaped by India’s first generation of post-independence physicians, whose guidance combined clinical rigour with compassion for patients.
Recalling his formative years at Stanley Medical College in Chennai, Dr Singh shared how the academic environment and mentorship there played a defining role in shaping his professional journey. He highlighted early mentorship, medical ethics, and the importance of being a good human being as key to gaining public trust in medicine.
Reflecting on the evolution of medical science, Dr Singh noted the remarkable shift from relying primarily on clinical examination and patient history to the current landscape dominated by advanced technologies and artificial intelligence.
A renowned diabetologist, academician, and public representative, Dr Singh has decades of experience in medicine and diabetes. A professor of medicine and endocrinology by training, he has published over 5,000 articles and several books. His pioneering research on “Stress Diabetes in Kashmiri Migrants” has gained international recognition. He has been closely involved with leading national and global diabetes bodies and has made significant contributions to medical education and policy.
MVCON 2026 marks the inaugural edition of the annual scientific conference of M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Prof. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre (MVDRC), Chennai. The conference is being organised by Dr Vijay Vishwanathan, a nationally and internationally renowned diabetologist, whose work on 'Diabetes Foot Disease' is highly regarded. Over 700 delegates, including experts from India and abroad, are participating in the event, which includes workshops, clinical discussions, panel interactions, and research presentations, with a focus on diabetic foot disease and evidence-based approaches to improving patient outcomes.
