Odisha Centenarian Doctor Donates Lifetime Savings to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for Women’s Cancer Research

Bhubaneswar, Dec 2025 : President Droupadi Murmu on Friday praised 100-year-old Dr. K. Lakshmi Bai from Berhampur, Odisha, for donating her entire lifetime savings to AIIMS Bhubaneswar to support research and treatment in gynaecological malignancies. Her generous contribution coincided with her 100th birthday and has captured widespread attention across the state.

In her message, the President said, “This is a very significant step towards women’s empowerment, and I deeply appreciate your thoughtful gesture. Governments are working to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all. I am confident that the participation of generous citizens like you will inspire others to come forward and support the government’s initiatives.”

President Murmu further highlighted Dr. Lakshmi Bai’s decades-long commitment to the empowerment of girls and women. “Your life is a shining example of how education can benefit an individual, who in turn can bring positive changes to society,” she added, acknowledging the doctor’s four-decade-long career dedicated to healthcare and women’s welfare.

Dr. Lakshmi Bai, the oldest practising woman doctor from Berhampur, donated Rs 3.4 crore—the entirety of her savings—to AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. AIIMS described the donation as “an extraordinary gesture of trust and benevolence” that will significantly aid in the treatment and research of female cancer patients.

A trailblazer in her field, Dr. Lakshmi Bai was part of the first-ever batch at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, admitted in 1945. She completed her MBBS in 1950 and began her career as a government doctor in Sundargarh. Over the years, she served as a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Burla Medical College, Cuttack Medical College, and Brahmapur Medical College before retiring.

Notably, she is believed to be the first woman doctor in Odisha to master laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Lakshmi Bai also pursued higher studies in women’s health in the United States, further advancing her expertise in gynaecological care.

Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, lauded her contribution, stating, “Prof. K. Lakshmi Bai’s extraordinary gesture is not only a blessing but a powerful acknowledgment of AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s continual efforts in high-quality patient care, medical education, and advanced research.”

Her donation not only reflects her lifelong commitment to women’s health but also sets an inspiring example for others to contribute towards advancing medical research and patient care in India.