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Homeopathy 2022; 111(04): 307-310
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750209
Obituary

Dr. Ramji Gupta: The Homeopathy Ambassador and Leading Dermatologist of India

Raj Kumar Manchanda 
1   Directorate of AYUSH, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Delhi, Delhi, India
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Dr. Ramji Gupta (30th August 1951 to 7th February 2022)

The medical fraternity felt profound grief when Professor Dr. Ramji Gupta, Senior Dermatologist, teacher and researcher, breathed his last on February 7th, 2022. He was the Senior Consultant Dermatologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi.

Born on August 30th, 1951, Dr. Gupta graduated with MBBS at K.G. Medical College, Lucknow, in 1974, and obtained a Diploma in Dermatology at S.N. Medical College, Agra, in 1977. In 1980, he completed his MD at the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. He gained a high reputation as a consultant Dermato-Venereologist, and practiced across many hospitals in Delhi.

Dr. Gupta carried out extensive research in the field of novel therapeutics, with publications on dexamethasone pulse therapy[1] and dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy,[2] which was able to cure pemphigus,[3] systemic lupus erythematosus,[4] systemic sclerosis,[5] and lichen amyloidosis.[6] He also carried out research on azathioprine pulse therapy for the treatment of psoriasis, and on topical adapalene, a curative treatment for plantar warts. Also, for the first time, many seemingly harmless substances, such as henna, sandalwood, topical corticosteroids like betamethasone valerate and fluocinolone acetonide, calcium ammonium nitrate, mustard khal and oil, hard contact lens, and brilliant green and gentian violet dyes,[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] were reported as allergens for contact dermatitis. Moreover, certain substances like vitamin A, nicotinic acid, the four chemically unrelated drugs ethambutol, rifampicin, phenytoin sodium and phenobarbitone, and levamisole, were reported for drug rash.[14] [15] [16] [17]

He was the president, founder and life member of the Pemphigus and Pulse Therapy Foundation and an executive member of several professional associations. He was also the founder president of Prayatna, an organization that worked to rehabilitate beggars to start a new life by providing them with monetary help and vocational training.

Being a prolific writer and researcher, Dr. Gupta served as the Editor of the journal Current Literature in Dermatology from 1999 to 2002, and as a member of the editorial board of the Journal of the American Medical Association India from 1995 to 1998.

His expertise and passion for teaching on his subject led to his position as Visiting Professor at several Indian universities, including the prestigious Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, New Delhi, where he established a Department of Dermatology to which he contributed significantly for many years. It was here that his interest in homeopathy grew, and learnt a great deal about it through his colleagues and students. He wanted all homeopaths to develop a sound understanding of modern aspects of dermatology, as he professed that different skin ailments have different manifestations, phases of activity and remission, and a homeopath must be well equipped for these possibilities, so that he/she doesn't consider a remission phase as cure. He believed that no treatment plan could be evaluated without an accurate diagnosis. He thus went on to write the much sought-after Textbook of Dermatology for Homeopaths,[18] ([Fig. 1]) and four research-related papers published in the British Homoeopathic Journal and Homeopathy,[19] [20] [21] [22] with the writer of this obituary note as a co-author. The experience of writing the book with him was not only a great way of learning but it also instilled in me the sense of critical thinking in homeopathy, which set me up for treading some lesser-known paths for the sake of science.

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Fig. 1 Cover page of book published by Dr Ramji Gupta.

During his lifetime, Dr. Gupta published more than 80 research papers and 10 books, including Can We Cure Psoriasis? for patient education and Textbook of Dermatology for medical schools.

His unmatched caliber and credentials brought him much recognition and many accolades from all spheres. He was honored with numerous awards, including the coveted Dr. Sardari Lal Memorial Award in 2013, the Dr. D.P. Rastogi Oration award by Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis in 2011, and the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists—GSK Oration award in 2005.

In his passing, the world not only lost an able clinician and researcher, but also a teacher par excellence and a humanitarian whose kind deeds will be remembered with great reverence. The homeopathy community will sorely miss its great ambassador, albeit with much gratitude in its collective heart.



Publication History

Received: 14 April 2022

Accepted: 10 May 2022

Article published online:
21 August 2022

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