About Dr. Karthik Nagesh

• Dr. Karthik Nagesh is one of India’s most eminent Neonatologists and Paediatricians, credited with transforming the landscape of newborn intensive care in the country.
• He has been associated with Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, since 1992, where he established a state-of-the-art NICU, setting new standards in neonatal survival and outcomes.
• He has led pioneering advancements in neonatal medicine, critical care, and paediatric health.
• Dr. Nagesh completed his MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, followed by MD (Paediatrics) from PGI Chandigarh.
• He then pursued specialised training in Neonatal Intensive Care at Queen Charlotte and Chelsea Hospitals, London, and the University of Manchester School of Medicine, UK.
• His fellowship from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH, London) further underscores his international expertise and academic distinction.
• Dr. Nagesh has made significant contributions to neonatal ventilation, surfactant therapy, and preterm care, and was among the first in India to successfully use surfactant therapy for Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).
• He was also the first paediatrician to initiate air transport for sick neonates in India, ensuring timely intervention for critically ill newborns.
• He has spearheaded the development of five NICUs across India, mentoring teams and setting up robust neonatal protocols.
• As Founder and Managing Trustee of the Foundation for Newborns, Dr. Nagesh has been actively involved in charitable and awareness initiatives to improve neonatal health outcomes nationwide.
• An academician at heart, Dr. Nagesh has authored multiple textbook chapters, including contributions to the IAP-NNF Textbook of Clinical Neonatology (2021) and the South Asian Edition of Cloherty & Stark’s Manual of Neonatal Care (2021), both key references for neonatologists and paediatricians across the region.
• Dr. Nagesh has been honoured with numerous national and international awards, including the FIAP (Fellowship of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, 2020) and the Fellowship of the National Neonatology Forum (2013) for his lifetime service to neonatology.
• His leadership has also been recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award (NNF, Karnataka, 2019), Times Healthcare Achiever – Legend Award (2019), and several prestigious Oration Awards for his contributions to child health and neonatal research.