Dr. Abhay Bang was raised in Gandhiji’s Sevagram Ashram. Inspired by the life of the Mahatma, he was driven by the idea of serving the people of rural India at a very young age. Dr. Rani Bang, on the other hand, came from an affluent family, but was an ardent believer in simplicity and serving the people. Choosing a life of service over wealth, she joined her husband in what would be a life-long mission to serve the community. Together they echoed Mahatma Gandhi’s voice – Go to the villages of India.

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After completing their respective post-graduation degrees as MD in Medicine and MD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the desire to engage in impactful public health service and research in Indian villages, led them to the Johns Hopkins University, USA. Upon their return, they decided that research is to be conducted where the problems are, and not where the facilities are. In their joint quest to find effective ways of solving the biggest healthcare challenges in the community, they realised the power of community based research.

Upon return from the States, they chose to work in Gadchiroli, one of the least developed, most neglected regions of India, where health care was an urgent necessity. They established the tribal friendly hospital and a community-based healthcare programme in 134 villages. This doctor couple are the only Indian medical researchers to have conducted and published in the Lancet, a worldwide premier medical journal, three original research papers on three different health problems each of which was a global first.

The Home-based Newborn Care approach developed under the leadership of Dr. Abhay Bang has now become a national program of the Government of India and has been replicated in several countries. He has led the designing and the training of national and state trainers for the national programme in India.  Dr. Rani’s grassroots work on the gynaecological problems in rural women facilitated a change in the global policy at Cairo, (1994), wherethe paradigm shifted from ‘Population Control’ to ‘Women’s Reproductive Health’. Responding to the community’s need, the couple led a district-wide movement against alcohol in the early nineties, a movement that resulted in a ban of alcohol in the district.

Over the years, the public health activist and researcher couple has been honoured with ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’, the highest award conferred by the State Government of Maharashtra, the first ever Distinguished Alumnus Award from Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, the Mahatma Gandhi Award, the ICMR award and nearly 70 other national and international awards. They were selected as ‘Global Health Heroes’ by the TIME Magazine in 2005 and as ‘Public Health Champion’ by WHO in 2016.

Dr. Abhay Bang is the Chairman of the Expert Committee for Tribal Health, appointed by the Government of India to frame the first Tribal Health Policy and recommend the design of Tribal Healthcare in the country. He is Advisor to the state level task force that has been constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to effectively implement the ban on alcohol and tobacco, and create awareness. He is also a member of the Central Health Council, the apex body of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Dr. Abhay and Dr. Rani have also won the State Literary Awardsfor the books माझा साक्षात्कारी हृद्यरोग and गोईण (meaning ‘Friend’ in the Gondi language of tribal people).

Biodata of Dr Abhay Bang

Biodata of Dr Rani Bang

Lancet profile of Dr Abhay & Dr Rani Bang

 

Honours/Awards

Important Committee Positions

Experience/Clinical experience

Publications

Awards and Important positions held by Dr. Abhay Bang

Awards and Honors (Individual and institutional):
  1. Lifetime Achievement Award, Maharashtra Arogya Mandal, Hadapsar, Pune.
  2. IMC Juran Quality Medal 2015, Indian Merchants’ Chamber Ramakrishna Bajaj National Quality Award Trust, Mumbai.
  3. Nani A. Palkhivala Award for Civil Liberties, Nani A. Palkhivala Memorial Trust, Mumbai, (2016)
  4. Doctorate Honoris Causa from Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPIMS), Lucknow, (2015)
  5. Social Award of Krantisingh Nana Patil from Krantisingh Nana Patil Lokvidyapeeth, Sangali, (2015)
  6. Honorary D.Litt. from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune, (2015)
  7. Deshasnehi Award from India Development Foundation, Bangalore, (2014)
  8. Kesharilalji Bordia Smruti Sanman from Jeevan Rakshak Charitable Trust, Udaipur, (2014)
  9. Sanjeevani Sanman, from Sahyadri Doodarshan, Mumbai, (2014)
  10. Distinguished Alumnus Award Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA, (2013)
  11. The Society of Scholars elected from The Johns Hopkins University, U S A, (2013)
  12. Babasaheb Ambedkar Daleet Mitra Puraskar, Government of Maharashtra (2013)
  13. Dr. Narendra Dhabholkar Smruti Award, Satara, (2013)
  14. Manawata Puraskar,  Sooryodaya Trust, Indore, (2013)
  15. Dr. Vishweshwaraiya Puraskar from Sub Ordinate Engineers Association, Gadchiroli, (2013)
  16. Baba Amte Manavata Puraskar from Vidyarthi Sahayyak Samiti, Warora, (2013)
  17. Prerana Poonj Sanman from Vichar Veethee, Vidarbha Hindi Sahitya Sanmelan, Nagpur, (2012)
  18. Pulotsava Gratitude Award, Pune, (2012)
  19. D.B. Ratnappanna Kumbhar ‘Samaj Bhushan’ Award, Jaisingpur, (2012)
  20. Abhijeetdada Kadam Humanitarian’ Award from Abhijeet Dada Kadam Memorial Foundation, Pune, (2012)
  21. Professional Excellence Award behalf of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Nagpur (2012)
  22. Anna Hazare Samaj Ratna Puraskar, Adarsha Mahavidyalaya and Pragati Vidhyalaya, Badlapur, Thane, (2011)
  23. CNN-IBN Life time achievement Award from Reliance Foundation, Mumbai, (2011)
  24. Swastha Bharat Sanman, from Zee News and LIC, New Delhi, (2011)
  25. Jaitai Matru Gaurav Puraskar, Shri Jaitai Temple Committee, Wani, (2011)
  26. Jeevan Sadhana Award, from Nagpur University Nagpur (2011)
  27. Vocational Excellence Award of Rotary Club Dist. 3030 at Nagpur (2011)
  28. Swami Rama Humanitarian Award from Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust, Dehradun, (2010)
  29. ‘Dory Storms’ Child Survival Recognition Award from CORE Group Washington, (2010)
  30. ‘Jewel of Maharashtra’ Award from State DNL Summit 2010 in association with Zee 24 Tass & Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, (2010)
  31. Freedom-fighter Dada Undalkar Social Award from Dada Undalkar Smarak Samitee, Undale Ta. Karad Dist Pune (2010)
  32. Samajik Gaurav Puraskar from U R L Foundation, Mumbai, (2010)
  33. Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar from Haware Foundation, Mumbai, (2010)
  34. ‘Bapu’ Award from Gandhi National Memorial Society, Pune, (2009)
  35. Prerana Puraskar, Late Bhausaheb Dhamankar, Shantiwan, Panvel, (2009)
  36. National Character Award, Charitrya Pratisthan, Pune, (2009)
  37. Qimpro Award of Qimpro Platinum Standard National Statesman for Quality Health Care from Qimpro Foundation, Mumbai, (2008)
  38. Marotrao Dhule Smruti Puraskar, Newase, (2008)
  39. Maitri Puraskar from Maitri Pariwar Sanstha, Nagpur, (2007)
  40. Pariwartanwadi Award, Dr. Shivram Mali Public Act, Kolhapur, (2007)
  41. MacArthur Foundation International Award for creative and social work, MacArthur Foundation, Chicago, USA, (2006)
  42. Alert Citizen Award from Citizen Forum Maharashtra, Nagpur, (2006)
  43. Global Health Hero, TIME magazine, New York, USA, (2005)
  44. Spirit of Mastek Award for exemplary work that has helped reduce child deaths at Gadchiroli, from Mastek Limited, Mumbai, (2005)
  45. Anandmai Puraskar from Late Deenanath Mangeshkar Pratisthan, Mumbai, (2005)
  46. Navratna Puraskar from Doordarshan Sahyadri Channel, Mumbai, (2005)
  47. Bhai Ghanaiya Award from Red Swastik Society, Mumbai, (2005)
  48. Save the Children US award for global contribution to saving newborns and children, Save the Children, Washington, D.C., USA, (2004)
  49. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Puraskar from Shri Ahilyotsava Samittee, Indore, (2004)
  50. Diwaliben Mehta Award, Mumbai, (2004)
  51. Lokshikshak Puraskar Late Pandurang Apte Guruji Smarak Trust, Ahmednagar, (2004)
  52. Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, The highest honour from the Government of Maharashtra (2003)
  53. Prabhat Puraskar, for social work, Late V. Shantaram trust, Mumbai, (2003)
  54. Rajiv Gandhi Award, Mumbai, (2003)
  55. Satpal Mittal Award for Population – by the Indian Association of Parliamentarians, New Delhi, (2002)
  56. Vivekanand Manava Sewa Award, Pune, (2002)
  57. Ramshastri Prabhune Puraskar for social justice – Satara, (2002)
  58. The State Award for De-addiction, Government of Maharashtra, (2001)
  59. The State award for literary writing on science – “My Enlightening Heart Disease” (Marathi), Government of Maharashtra, (2001)
  60. Late Vinaykumar Parashar Smruti Purskar, Akola, (2001)
  61. Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan Award for the outstanding contribution to rural development in Maharashtra, Mumbai, (2000)
  62. Sant Bal Award for humanitarian service, Ahmedabad, (2000)
  63. Sahitya Samrat Na. Chi. Kelkar Literary award, Pune, (2000)
  64. Shri Anant Bhalerao Pratisthan (Aurangabad) Puraskar, Aurangabad, (2000)
  65. Dr. James Tong award of the Voluntary health Association of India to SEARCH for being the outstanding voluntary institution in India, (1999)
  66. Dr. Sheshadri Gold medal and Prize of the Indian Council of Medical Research for outstanding contribution to community medicine in India, (1996)
  67. Natu Foundation Award, Pune, (1996)
  68. Selected as ‘The couple of the year 1996’ for the annual issue of the national magazine ‘The Week’, (1996)
  69. Mahatma Gandhi Award, Maniklal Gandhi trust, Nagpur, (1994)
  70. Adivasi Sevak State Award, the Government of Maharashtra for health care and research in tribal area (1987)


Important Committee Positions (Present and past)

  1. Advisor, State Level Task Force on Alcohol-tobacco free Gadchiroli District Campaign, Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra, (2015 – till date)
  2. Member, Audit Advisory Board, CAG, Government of India, (2014 – till date)
  3. Chairman, Expert Committee on Tribal Health, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, (2013 – till date)
  4. Member, Advisory Council of the Indian Institute. of Public Health Bhubaneshwar, (2012 – till date)
  5. Member, National ASHA Mentoring Group, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, (2007 – till date)
  6. Member, the High Level Committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, (2005 –  till date)
  7. Member, Tribal Advisory Council, Government of Maharashtra, (1996 – till date)
  8. Member, High Level Committee on Tribal People in India, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, (2013 – 2014)
  9. Member, High Level Committee on Balanced Regional Development, Government of Maharashtra, (2011 – 2013)
  10. Member, Committee on Alcohol and its control in Chandrapur, Government of Maharashtra, (2011 – 2012)
  11. Member, High Level Expert Group on Universal Health Coverage in India. The Planning Commission, Government of India, (2010 – 2012)
  12. Member, Mission Steering Group, National Rural Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, (2008 – 2014)
  13. Chairman, Advisory Group on Training of ASHA in Home-based Newborn care, Ministry of Health & FW, Government of India, (2005)
  14. Member, ‘National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health’, Government of India, (2004)
  15. Member, Project Review Committee, ICMR research project on young infant, (2003 –2011)
  16. Chairman, Child Death Evaluation Committee, Government of Maharashtra, (2003 – 2005)
  17. Member, Advisory Board, Saving Newborn Lives Initiative Save the Children, USA, (2002 – 2005)
  18. Member, Steering Committee, Tropical Disease Research, World Health Organisation, Geneva, (2002 – 2004)
  19. Member, National Expert Group on Health for planning the 10th National Five Year Plan, Planning Commission, Government of India, (2001 – 2002)
  20. Member, The National Commission on Population, Government of India, (2000 – 2005)
  21. Member, Committee on ‘Improving Birth Outcome in Developing Countries’ constituted by the Global Board on Health, National Academy of Science,  U.S.A, (2000 – 2002)
  22. Member, Scientist Advisory Board, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, (1998 – 2000)

 

 

 

Awards and Important positions held by Dr. Rani Bang

Awards and Honors (Individual and institutional):
  1. Lifetime Achievement Award, Maharashtra Arogya Mandal, Hadapsar, Pune.
  2. IMC Juran Quality Medal 2015, Indian Merchants’ Chamber Ramakrishna Bajaj National Quality Award Trust, Mumbai.
  3. Dr. Wankar Lifetime Achievement Award  from IMA, Nagpur by Chief Minister, Mr. Devendra Phadanvis, (2015)
  4. Doctorate Honoris Causa from Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPIMS), Lucknow,  (2015)
  5. The Degree of D.Litt. from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune, (2015).
  6. Vidarbha Ratna Award from Ramkrushna Paikuji Samarth Smarak Samiti, Nagpur, (2015).
  7. Kesharilalji Bordia Smruti Sanman from Jeevan Rakshak Charitable Trust, Udaipur, (2014)
  8. Sanjeevani Sanman, from Sahyadri Doodarshan, Mumbai, (2014)
  9. Dr. Narendra Dhabholkar Smruti Award, Satara, (2013)
  10. ‘Late Leelatai Limaye Samaj Seva Puraskar’ from Vaneeta Samaj, Mumbai, (2013)
  11. Excellence Award from State Bank of India, (2013)
  12. Dr. Mokshagundam vishweshwaraiya Puraskar from Sub Ordinate Engineers Association, Gadchiroli, (2013)
  13. 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg, School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA, (2013)
  14. Society of Scholars elected from The Johns Hopkins University, USA, (2013)
  15. Babasaheb Ambedkar Daleet Mitra Puraskar, (2013)
  16. The Dr. B. N. Purandare Outstanding Services Award from the Dr. B. N. Purandare Memorial Mumbai, (2013)
  17. Karmayogini Bhavneek Ekatmata Puraskar, Navbharat Shikshan Mandal, Sangli, (2013)
  18. ‘Prerana Poonj Sanman’ from Vichar Veethee, Vidarbha Hindi Sahitya Sanmelan, Nagpur, (2012)
  19. Conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) from SNDT Women University, Mumbai, (2012)
  20. ‘Pulotsava’ Gratitude Award, Pune, (2012)
  21. ‘Abhijeetdada Kadam Humanitarian’ Award from Abhijeet Dada Katam Memorial Foundation, Pune,  (2012)
  22. CNN-IBN Life time achievement Award from Reliance Foundation, (2011)
  23. Swastha Bharat Sanman, from Zee News and LIC, New Delhi, (2011)
  24. Jaitai Matru Gaurav Puraskar, Shri Jaitai Temple Committee, Wani (2011)
  25. Jeevan Sadhana Award, from Nagpur University Nagpur, (2011)
  26. Savitribai Fule Award from Nanded Zilla Parishad, Nanded, (2011)
  27. Vocational Excellence Award of Rotary Club, Dist. 3030, Nagpur, (2011)
  28. Vocational Excellence Award of Rotary Club of Pune, (2011)
  29. Swami Rama Humanitarian Award from Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust, Dehradun, (2010)
  30. ‘Dory Storms’ Child Survival Recognition Award from CORE Group Washington, (2010)
  31. Jewel of Maharashtra Award from State DNL Summit 2010 in association with Zee 24 Tass & Govt. of Maharashtra, Mumbai, (2010)
  32. Freedom-fighter Dada Undalkar Social Award from Dada Undalkar Smarak Samitee, Undale Ta. Karad Dist Pune, (2010)
  33. Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar from Haware Foundation, Mumbai, (2010)
  34. Samajik Gaurav Puraskar from U R L Foundation, Mumbai, (2010)
  35. Chandrapur Bhushan Award from Baba Saheb Deshmukh Smruti Pratisthan, Chandrapur, (2009)
  36. Baa Award from Gandhi National Memorial Society, Pune, (2009)
  37. National Character Award from Charitrya Pratisthan, Pune, (2009)
  38. Rajai Award by Rajai Pratishthan Nanded, (2009)
  39. National Award for Women’s Development through Application of Science and Technology for the year 2007. Presented by Smt. Pratibhatai Patil, Hon’ble President of India, (2008)
  40. Stree Shakti Puraskar, 2005 from Ministry of Women & Child Development Govt. of India, (2008)
  41. Qimpro Award of Qimpro Platinum Standard national Statesman for Quality – Health Care from Qimpro Foundation, Mumbai, (2008)
  42. Maitri Puraskar from Maitri Pariwar Sanstha, Nagpur, (2007)
  43. Pariwartanwadi Award, Dr. Shivram Mali Public Act, Kolhapur, (2007)
  44. MacArthur Foundation International Award to SEARCH for creative and social work, (2006)
  45. Jamanalal Bajaj Award from Jamanalal Bajaj Foundation, Mumbai, (2006)
  46. Global Health Hero by the Time magazine, USA, (2005)
  47. Navratna Puraskar from Doordarshan Sahyadri Channel, Mumbai, (2005)
  48. Spirit of Mastek Award for exemplary work that has helped reduce child deaths at Gadchiroli, from Mastek Limited, Mumbai, (2005)
  1. Jeevan Gourav Puraskar from Parkar Medical Foundation, Ratnagiri, (2004)
  2. Tararani Bhadrakali Puraskar, from Tararani Bhadrakali Vidhyapeeth, Kolhapur, (2004)
  3. Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award, Mumbai, (2004)
  4. Mauli Anandi Puraskar from Sadguru Vishwanath Maharaj Rukalikar Trust, Kolhapur, (2004)
  • ‘Maharashtra Bhushan’, the highest honour from the Govt. of Maharashtra State, (2003)
  1. Shram Seva Puraskar from Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik, (2003)
  2. Sat Paul Mittal Award on Population – by the Indian Association of Parliamentarians, New Delhi, (2002)
  3. Jankibai Apte, Balikshram, Puraskar, Ahamednagar (2002)
  4. Ramshastri Prabhune Puraskar for social justice – Satara, (2002)
  • Adi-Shakti Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar Mahalakshmi Trust, Pune, (2002)
  1. Vinaykumar Parashar Smruti Purskar, Akola, (2001)
  2. Late Kamalatai Jamkar, Darpan Puraskar, Parbhani, (2001)
  • Savitri Bai Phule Puraskar from the Govt. of Maharashtra, for the work among women, (2000)
  • Literary Award, of the Govt. of Maharashtra for the book ‘Goeen’, (2000)
  • Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan Award for the outstanding contribution to rural development in Maharashtra, Mumbai, (2000)
  • Kasturba Gandhi Seva Puraskar, Bhaghirathi Seva Pranyas, Jaipur, (1999)
  • Sane Guruji Puraskar, Sane Guruji Smarak, Mumbai (1999)
  1. Late Shrimati Vimaltai Tidke Puraskar, (1999)
  • Samajwadi Mahila Sanghatan Puraskar, (1998)
  • The Sheshadri Gold Medal of Indian Council of Medical Research to SEARCH for outstanding contribution to the field of community medicine in India, (1996)
  • Selected as ‘The couple of the year 1996’ for the annual issue of the national magazine ‘The Week’ (1996)
  • Natu Foundation Purskar for contribution to social work in Maharashtra, (1996)
  • Shamrao Bapu Kapgate Smruti Purskar for outstanding female social worker, (1995)
  • Maniklal Gandhi Charaitable Trust award for outstanding Woman Social Worker of Vidarbha, (1991)


Important Committee Positions:

  1. President of the 2nd National De-addiction literature conference at Nagpur on 2nd Oct 2013. Organized by the Govt. of Maharashtra
  2. Member, National Commission on Population, Government of India, (2000)
  3. Expert Member of Vidarbha Development Board, appointed by Governor of Maharashtra, (2008)
  4. Nagpur University Senate Member,
  5. Panelist speaker in Technical Discussion on Women and Health in World Health Assembly, (1992)
  6. Member, Expert Committee on high dose EP combination, I.C.M.R., New Delhi.
  7. Member – Scientific Advisory Group of I.C.M.R.
  8. Member, Task force on health, National Commission on Women, Government of India, (1987)
  9. Member Planning Commission’s task force on Panchyat Raj in Health
  10. Member, Expert Committee on Norplant, I.C.M.R. New Delhi
  11. Consultant on Women’s health matters to WHO, UNFPA, USAID, Population Council and various national and international organisations.
  12. Worked for relief and research in population involved in Bhopal gas exposure
  13. Member WHO Review Committee on Measuring Reproductive Morbidity
  14. Member of WHO review committee on Antifertility vaccines
  15. Member of WHO’s human Reproductive division’s task force on dialogue between Scientists and women’s health advocates
  16. Consultant to Foundation for Research in Community health on research into women’s health.
  17. Member of the Governing body of IIHMR (Indian Institute of Health Management and Research).
  18. Member of Governing body, Voluntary Health Association of India, (1989)
  19. Initiated and led public movement against alcohol in Gadchiroli district since 1988, which finally has spread to entire district.
  20. Founder Member and full time worker of Voluntary Organisation Chetna-Vikas. Worked for rural development and community health for 6 years (1977-83).
  21. One of the principal speaker in Tietze symposium in Rio-de-Janero, Brazil, (1990)
  22. Served as a Consultant to INCLEN (International clinical epidemiology network) for Reproductive health.
  23. Member of IWHAM i.e. International Women’s health Advocates on Microbicides.
  24. 10th Five year plan Maharashtra Health and Nutrition Committee Member.
  25. Was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize as a member of 1000 women worldwide for peace prize, (2003)

 

Awards to SEARCH:

  1. Dr. James Tong award on the Voluntary Health Association of India to SEARCH for being the outstanding voluntary institution in India, New Delhi, (1999)