Doctor’s Day: Pune doctor leading the critical care revolution

PUNE: In the elite corridors of Indian medicine, where lung and heart transplants are considered the final frontier—even for the best tertiary care hospitals Dr. Prashant Sakhavalkar and his ICU team is quietly scripting a revolution.

As Associate Professor and ICU In-charge at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pune, he has played a key role in supporting the team’s efforts to build a strong foundation for advanced critical care and thoracic organ transplantation at the institution.

While Dr. Prashant Sakhavalkar oversees the intensive care of transplant patients, the transplants are performed by a specialized team of surgeons and clinical experts. At a time when lung transplants are seldom performed even at the most prestigious medical colleges, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre has successfully conducted 41 thoracic organ transplants, 79 liver transplants, 5 pancreatic transplants, and hundreds of kidney, cornea transplants firmly establishing its position among the leading transplant centres in the country

As a seasoned intensivist, he not only leads life-saving procedures but is also a pioneer in ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)—a critical support therapy for heart and lung failure.

With over 10 years of experience in ECMO, Dr. Sakhavalkar has trained dozens of specialists across the country and is a certified ECMO trainer by the international body ELSO. D.Y. Patil Hospital now runs ELSO-certified ECMO training courses, attracting fellows from across India who come to train under his guidance. Currently, two fellows are undergoing training exclusively in ECMO at the center.

As a recognized examiner and academician, Dr. Sakhvalkar plays a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of intensivist. He is currently spearheading the development of AI-based algorithms for ICU decision-making.

Under his guidance, the hospital recently hosted a state-level Tele-ICU conference, exploring how artificial intelligence and telemedicine can extend quality care to even the remotest parts of India.