An Indian-origin doctor who pioneered emergency medical care in Leicestershire and elsewhere has become the first elected president of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Gautam Bodiwala, an honorary graduate, clinical teacher and examiner at the University of Leicester, founded the International Federation in 1991, to bring together nations where emergency medicine is a developed speciality and those wishing to develop emergency care.
Its membership has grown from eight to more than 40 national organisations since he became president.
“Every citizen in the world is entitled to have emergency medical care. Through the Federation we want to create an international level of interchange, understanding and cooperation among physicians practising emergency medicine,” Mr. Bodiwala said.
“Our goal is to offer advice and guidance to emergency medicine practitioners worldwide through training and certification programmes for doctors, and to establish emergency medical systems where they are needed.”
He emphasised that the International Federation does not impose any one country’s programme on another country, recognising that geography, disease profiles and cultural and religious needs differ throughout the world.
Its aims are to deliver the basic fundamentals of emergency care, tailored to each country’s needs, with the help of organisations such as the World Health Organisation.
Mr. Bodiwala, who has helped to establish emergency care worldwide, including in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Bulgaria, was the first consultant appointed in 1977 to the Leicester Royal Infirmary as a specialist in developing emergency care.
He remained Head of the Department there for 25 years until his retirement, contributing to the development of emergency care training for doctors, nurses and paramedics.
In honour of his work, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust named the department “Gautam Bodiwala Emergency Department” in 2005.
In 2000, he was awarded the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) honour for his contribution to national and international development of emergency care.
“The U.K. is one of the leaders of the world in developing emergency medicine as a speciality. I have been extremely fortunate to be part of this development and evolution,” Mr. Bodiwala said.
“The Government and Health Service have been very receptive in accepting our thoughts and ideologies, and I am very proud of being part of that evolution
