Professor Jitendra Kumar Sahu, a distinguished Pediatric Neurologist at PGIMER, Chandigarh, has been awarded the prestigious "Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar" for Medicine in 2024. This honor, presented by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, on August 22, 2024, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, recognizes exceptional contributions to medical research, technology, and innovation by individuals under 45.
Dr. Sahu hails from a modest background, with his father, the late Shri Daulat Ram Sahu, serving as an Executive Engineer, and his mother, Smt. Shanti Sahu, a homemaker. He excelled academically from a young age, topping the pre-medical entrance exam in Madhya Pradesh in 1997. After completing his MBBS from Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, in 2003, he pursued MD (Pediatrics) and DM (Pediatric Neurology) from AIIMS, New Delhi. He joined PGIMER in 2011 and became a Professor in 2021.
Dr. Sahu specializes in childhood epilepsy and neurological disorders. With over 175 publications, his research has significantly impacted the understanding of genetic causes and treatment of severe epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome. His work also highlights the importance of genetic testing in precision medicine, particularly in vaccine-related epilepsy. Dr. Sahu has been recognized internationally, receiving numerous awards, including the John Stobo Prichard Award and Sheila Wallace Award.
Expressing gratitude, Dr. Sahu acknowledged the support of his mentors, collaborators, students, and the children under his care, emphasizing the role of PGIMER's research environment in his achievements.