Puliyur Krishnaswamy Duraiswami, Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Scientist
Orthopedic Surgeon and Medical Scientist

Puliyur Krishnaswamy Duraiswami

Born 23 April 1912 · Tamil Nadu — Died 11 March 1974

Serving as Director General of Health Services and advancing orthopedic surgery in India.

Puliyur Krishnaswamy Duraiswami (1912–1974) was an Indian orthopedic surgeon, medical writer and the Director General of Health Services under the Government of India. Besides being a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and a founder Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, he published several articles on orthopedics and was a recipient of Robert Jones Medal and the Presidential Merit Award of the British Orthopaedic Association. The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan, in 1966, for his contributions to the Medical Science.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Duraiswami was the first to earn a doctorate in orthopedics from the University of Liverpool in 1951 for original research on environmental causes of birth defects.

The Story

1
In 1948, Puliyur Krishnaswamy Duraiswami left India for Liverpool University, where he earned an MCh and became the first to receive a doctorate in orthopedics there in 1951 for original research on congenital malformations.
2
🌍 Between 1951 and 1953, he taught orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins University in the US, a rare feat for an Indian surgeon in that era, before returning to India to lead orthopedics at AIIMS Delhi in 1954.
3In 1960, Duraiswami stepped down as director of the Central Institute of Orthopedics but continued as senior surgeon at Safdarjung Hospital until his death in 1974, shaping clinical practice for over a decade.
4🚑 As Director General of Health Services for India, he pioneered mobile medical units to reach rural populations, implementing this outreach program in the early 1960s.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1966
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Duraiswami’s doctoral thesis at Liverpool in 1951 was the first orthopedic doctorate awarded by the university for original research on teratogenesis, linking environmental factors to congenital malformations.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Puliyur, Tamil Nadu
Puliyur Krishnaswamy Duraiswami was born in the village of Puliyur in Tamil Nadu, marking the start of a life that would impact Indian orthopedics.
1912
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Education
Graduated MBBS from University of Madras
Duraiswami completed his medical graduation (MBBS) from the University of Madras, entering the medical profession.
1936
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Other
Completed MS and began surgical career
He earned his MS degree from the University of Madras and started as a surgeon at Government Royapettah Hospital.
1942
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Career
Joined Armed Forces as surgical specialist
Duraiswami served in the Indian Armed Forces during World War II, applying surgical skills in military contexts until 1947.
1943
📚
Education
Moved to Liverpool University for research
He secured an MCh and later a FRCS from Liverpool University, conducting original research in orthopedics.
1948
📚
Education
Awarded Doctorate in Orthopedics
Duraiswami became the first at Liverpool University to earn a doctorate in orthopedics for original research on congenital deformities.
1951
⚡
Career
Faculty at Johns Hopkins University
He joined the orthopedic surgery faculty at Johns Hopkins University for two years, enhancing his international experience.
1953
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Career
Joined AIIMS as Orthopedic Chair
Invited by the Indian government, Duraiswami became the first Professor and Head of Orthopedics at AIIMS, Delhi.
1954
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Award
Received Padma Bhushan
The Government of India awarded Duraiswami the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to medical science.
1966
🕊️
Death
Death due to hemorrhagic stroke
Duraiswami passed away in Delhi following a hemorrhagic stroke, ending a distinguished medical career.
1974
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

During World War II, from 1943 to 1947, Duraiswami served as a surgical specialist in the Indian Armed Forces, applying orthopedic skills in military medicine.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He proposed and implemented mobile medical units for rural outreach in India during his tenure as Director General of Health Services, a pioneering public health initiative in the 1960s.

03 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

His book, '5000 years of Orthopaedics in India,' published in an international clinical journal, documents ancient Indian practices, showing a deep historical perspective rarely found among medical scientists.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Duraiswami's leadership at AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital established structured orthopedic education and clinical services in post-independence India. His introduction of mobile medical units brought healthcare to underserved rural areas, influencing national health policy. Additionally, his role in founding the National Academy of Medical Sciences helped formalize medical research and standards in India.

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