Ranchi, September 1, 2026: Senior Jharkhand ophthalmologist and social worker Dr Bharati Kashyap has been elected unopposed as Honorary Joint Secretary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) national executive for the 2026-28 term.
Her election gives Jharkhand representation in the national leadership of the country’s medical association.
Part of 55-member national leadership team
According to the election results issued by the IMA, Dr Kashyap is among the 55 members of the national leadership team.
Other prominent women doctors elected at the national level include Dr Mona Desai from Gujarat, Dr Neelam Lekhi from Delhi and Dr Sunila Soni from Haryana.
After being given the new responsibility, Dr Kashyap said she wanted to use the national platform to further efforts related to women’s health, cervical cancer prevention and improving healthcare facilities in rural areas.
Has held key IMA responsibility earlier
She currently serves as the President of the IMA Jharkhand Women Doctors Wing.
Dr Kashyap has previously held a national-level position within the IMA. She served as National Co-Chairperson of the IMA Headquarters Women Doctors Wing from 2022 to 2024.
Six lakh women screened for cervical cancer
Dr Kashyap has been working on the Jharkhand model for early detection of cervical cancer since 2021. The initiative focuses on affordable screening and treatment for women when required.
According to the information provided, around six lakh women had been screened by May 2026, significantly exceeding the state government’s stated target of 2.7 lakh.
To expand treatment facilities, digital video colposcopes and cryotherapy units have been installed at 14 government hospitals across the state. Government women doctors have also been trained to operate the equipment.
Contribution to eye health
Dr Kashyap has also worked extensively in the field of eye health.
According to her, more than 25 lakh government schoolchildren have undergone eye screening so far. Through the Kashyap Memorial Eye Bank, around 1,100 corneal transplants have also been carried out.
She also played a role in the introduction of posthumous eye donation and corneal transplantation in undivided Bihar-Jharkhand in 1996, according to the source material.
With her new responsibility in the IMA’s national executive, Dr Kashyap’s experience is expected to support efforts focused on women’s health and expanding medical services in rural areas.
