Status of Vascular Surgery Practice in India

Abstract

India, the second largest country in the world in terms of population, remains a developing country 68 years post-independence with Human development index of 0.586. Modern medicine is practiced, though traditional medicine is also widespread. Vascular surgery training programs started three decades ago, and vascular surgery enjoys the status of an independent specialty. Vascular Society of India was formed in 1994 with the explicit aim of promoting vascular surgery in India. Unfortunately awareness regarding vascular disorders is low amongst the general public and physicians. Excellent hospitals exist in large cities, and Indian vascular surgeons perform open and endovascular procedures like their counterparts in the rest of the world. Training positions for interventional procedures are very limited, and access to cath-lab difficult to obtain.