By Manjunath K. Shresthi
December 05, 2025
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Dharwad in north Karnataka, is an educational place home to Universities of repute and also has the distinction in the literary circles for its large number of poets, writers, and men of letters. It’s a go to place for those serious about their studies and climbing up the social ladder in the journey of life. Dharwad has been put on the country’s good health map by a practicing doctor known for his pioneering and innovative ways in child health care, and thereby putting the parents and their children on the road to good health. The journey of Dr. Rajan Deshpande, in a nutshell reflects the words of the American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, “do not walk where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”.
Vithal Children’s Hospital: A Beacon of Hope for Children
Dr. Rajan Deshpande, is a household name in north Karnataka’s Dharwad Hubli and surrounding regions, and the reasons are all too evident and they speak loud. For the good mannered and soft- spoken Doctor has his way with small children. He’s been at the forefront in treating kids and teaching their parents the importance of nutrition along with good upbringing. Dedication and selfless service to society has been his motto. He’s been showing the way since last four decades and still going ahead with full steam, with the same vigour and enthusiasm since he started practicing medicine in year 1978. “The hallmark of a champion is his dedication and commitment to excellence”. Dr. Rajan’ embodies the same excellence through his timely treatment and producing quick results in the health of the children, who show remarkable improvement after visiting him is testimony to his skills.
In his career spanning four plus decades and counting, Dr. Rajan Deshpande has donned many hats all rolled into one as a Paediatrician; Academician; Administrator; Social Activist and a Medico-Social worker. He’s also a highly qualified person and his academic qualifications of MD (Ped), FICP (USA) FCCP, FSASMS, FCAM (Nepal), FIAMS, HRD (Dip) FIAP; all his certifications speak volumes of his brilliance and updating himself with the new technological advances in the medical field. His extensive methodical study of his subject and daily exposure to a wide number of cases has brought its own set of challenges, and he has always produced the desired results.
Dr. Rajan’s role as Medical Director, of Vithal Institute of Child Health (VICH) & Speciality Centre is another feather in his crowded cap. He was one of the first Paediatricians in Dharwad-Hubli region starting his private practice with a full-fledged setup. He also visited all the maternity homes and served as a Hon. Paediatrician in the Municipal Corporation Hospital, Dharwad, and worked 24X7 to build high standards of child health services in north Karnataka. The hospital today is visited by patients from all corners of Dharwad district and other areas too; and on an average caters to 40000-50000 outpatients; 4000-5000 in patients and 800-1000 paediatric surgeries in one calendar year. He pioneered the concept of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Dharwad, and was instrumental in establishing a good NICU setup in the 100-years-old District hospital in Dharwad. Dr. Rajan has contributed in bringing down the neonatal mortality in the region.
Dr Rajan Deshpande, MD (Paediatrics) renowned Paediatrician, President of Children’s Academy, and the R.K.Foundation, Vittal Nursing Home, Dharwad in north Karnataka through his endeavours has been continuously striving for the good health of the child and the mother. His extensive field visits to slums; mass contact programs undertaken for the benefit of the children through his tireless efforts. He has been the most sought after person; because of his high degree of professionalism and tackling the problem of malnutrition through his innovative ideas. He’s also a source of inspiration for the new Doctors entering the profession, and a beacon of light for the people of Hubli-Dharwad region.
The Children’s Academy in Dharwad, was inaugurated by the late Governor of Karnataka B. Ramadevi on December 11, 2000. The focus primarily is on addressing general health problems, like parenting, adolescents and problems faced by the children in schools. The other NGO operating is the R.K. Foundation, an Educational and a Medical Trust established in the year 2002. It has the services of renowned pediatricians, hospital administrators, specialists in intensive and critical care. It promotes and conducts many educational programs for general public as well as the Doctors. The other initiatives taken for the betterment of children are: ‘Magu ni Nagu’, a strategic pilot project for management of malnutrition among the children of the slums in Dharwad city. Vithal Clinic and Nursing Home is the first private hospital to have a library for children in the area. There are more than 1000 books in the library and inpatients are greatly benefitted by them.
