MVCON 2026: Dr Jitendra receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Chennai, Mar 20: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh was Friday conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine & Diabetes at the Chennai National Meet for, as the award citation describes, “his outstanding contribution as a distinguished medical professional, author and advocate for advancing Diabetes care and public health”.
This is the second Lifetime Achievement Award for medical excellence conferred on Dr Jitendra Singh, the first one having been conferred in July 2024 at an International Meet held at Chennai.
The award was conferred at MVCON 2026, organised by M.V. Diabetes Chennai founded in 1954 by Late Prof M. Viswanathan, popularly remembered as one of the founding fathers of Diabetology in India, along with his equally illustrious contemporaries like Prof M.M.S. Ahuja, Prof Sam J P Moses, Prof B.B. Tripathi and Prof V. Seshiah.
Expressing gratitude on receiving the honour, Dr Jitendra Singh said the recognition carries special significance as it commemorates the legacy of Prof. M. Viswanathan, regarded as one of the founding fathers of diabetology and diabetes research in India. He described it as a tribute not only to his own lifelong work but also to the rich tradition of medical excellence shaped by the first generation of post-independence physicians and their contemporary stalwarts, whose guidance combined clinical rigour with a deep sense of compassion for patients.
Recalling his formative years, Dr. Jitendra Singh shared that his years at Stanley Medical College, Chennai, played a defining role in shaping his professional journey. He said that the academic environment and mentorship he received instilled in him a lifelong commitment to learning and patient care.
Dr. Jitendra Singh described early grooming, right mentorship and imbibement of medical ethics as key pillars of a successful medical career and added that, to gain public trust in medical practice, it is equally important for a doctor to be a good human being.
Reflecting on the evolution of medical science, Dr Jitendra Singh noted that he has witnessed the transition from an era when diagnosis relied primarily on clinical examination and patient history to the present landscape of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, describing it as a uniquely enriching experience of being a witness to an amazing transition.
Dr. Jitendra Singh is a renowned diabetologist, academician and public representative with decades of experience in Medicine and Diabetes. A Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology by training, he has contributed extensively to Diabetes research, medical literature, and public health awareness, with over five thousand published articles and several books to his credit. His pioneering work, including research on “Stress Diabetes in Kashmiri Migrants,” has received international recognition. Over the years, he has been associated with leading national and global diabetes bodies and has contributed significantly to medical education and policy.
MVCON 2026 marks the inaugural edition of the annual scientific conference of M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre (MVDRC), Chennai. The chief organiser of MVCON 2026 is Dr Vijay Vishwanathan, a Diabetologist of national and international repute, whose work on ‘Diabetes Foot Disease’ is widely cited and acclaimed.
The conference is witnessing participation of over 700 delegates, including leading experts from across India and international faculty. The scientific programme includes hands-on workshops, clinical discussions, panel interactions,and research presentations, with a special focus on diabetic foot disease and evidence-based approaches for reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.
M.V. Hospital for Diabetes, established in 1954 by Prof. M. Viswanathan, has built a legacy of over seven decades in clinical care, education, and research. The institution has developed a comprehensive, multidisciplinary diabetic foot care programme and has successfully helped prevent more than one lakh lower limb amputations through early detection, advanced treatment, and sustained rehabilitation.
Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, established in 1972, continues to contribute to advancing scientific understanding of diabetes and has been recognised by leading national institutions including ICMR and the Department of Science and Technology. Its research has also gained international visibility, with scientists associated with the institution featured among the world’s top researchers.