Being compassionate to the needs of rare disease patients has been a pet concern for late Dr Nyapati Srinivasa Rao, 61, in his long association with the Indian Organisation for Rare Diseases (IORD) as a managing committee (MC) member.
The humble and always gentle doctor had his feet deeply grounded on research in alternative medicine as a mode of treatment for rare diseases, active social services and his clinical practice as a leading homoeopathy practitioner.
His sudden demise on 29 June 2021 brought a flood of memories as the IORD family recalled his contribution to the rare disease cause as well as to the society at large in different capacities as a medical practitioner or as a social activist at IORD’s extraordinary meeting held on 6 July 2021 at its office in Hyderabad in his memory.
“How he could help rare disease patients with alternative medicine was always foremost in his mind. He had a lot of thoughts about the kind of research that was possible at his Homoeopathy college in Eluru,” said Dr K Gayathri, vice-president, IORD, recalling her association with him for over two decades.
Sensitive and always open to new ideas, Dr Srinivasa Rao was the epitome of how a family physician should be and easily charmed his way whatever initiative came his way. While calling his death an irreplaceable loss, Dr Gayathri said that it would be difficult to find someone who could become the bridge between AYUSH and modern rare disease treatment like Dr Srinivasa Rao did.
In his condolence message, Sri R.K. Agrawal, Senior Vice President, Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association India and IORD MC member, called Dr Srinivasa Rao a kind-hearted person. “He was a thorough professional and was deeply involved in alternative medicine,” he said while terming his death a great loss for his patients.
Explaining the kind of impression that late Dr Srinivasa Rao had on people, Dr.M. Amaresh Rao, Sr Cardiothoracic Surgeon and MC member, IORD, said he impacted many of his friends positively. He had been very empathic to the plight of rare disease children. This attitude brought about a new dimension to the way the role and potential of AYUSH are seen in the cause of the rare disease treatment.
Narrating his deep involvement in IORD’s activities, Shri Dr Krishnaji Rao, IORD Secretary, recounted how Dr Srinivasa Rao had brought his managerial skills as the Master of Ceremony during the conduct of the World Rare Disease Day event at New Delhi’s Vigyana Bhavan in 2018.
“There was also a humane side to him. When he witnessed the plight of rare disease patients struggling at the venue, there were tears in his eyes,” recalled Dr Krishnaji Rao, expressing how he added a new dimension to how events for rare disease patients are organised.
This is not all as Dr Srinivasa Rao had been instrumental in moulding the opinion of the top policymakers towards the Rare Disease cause with his relentless efforts.
Shri GKB Chowdary, chairman JETL and MC member, IORD, recalled his dedication as a medical professional. “He was a man par excellence. I have never seen him complaining that he was tired,” he said while highlighting his multi-tasking abilities.
In his condolence address, Dr Ramaiah Muthyala, president, IORD, proposed to hold a commemorative conference or a webinar as a mark of respect towards Dr Srinivasa Rao, who was involved with IORD for eight years. In a PowerPoint presentation, Dr Ramaiah highlighted his active participation in all the events conducted by IORD, Dr Ramaiah.
The IORD’s MC members also decided to formally convey its condolence message to the family of late Dr Srinivasa Rao to thank & highlight the latter’s yeomen contribution to the rare disease cause in different ways
