For Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, the practice of reproductive medicine has extended well beyond the walls of a fertility clinic. His professional journey encompasses patient care, technological innovation, medical education, research, professional leadership and initiatives aimed at improving women’s health and access to quality care.
His clinical career has been closely associated with the development of assisted reproductive technology in India. He has introduced or worked with several technologies that have subsequently become important components of modern fertility practice, including laser hatching, IMSI, oocyte and embryo vitrification, ovarian tissue freezing, time-lapse imaging, non-invasive embryo testing and AI-assisted assessment.
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However, his contribution to the field is equally visible through his academic and professional leadership. Dr. Pai has served in senior positions within organisations including FOGSI, ISAR, IAGE, FIGO and IFFS. He has also been involved in organising major national and international conferences, providing platforms for clinicians and researchers to exchange knowledge and discuss developments in reproductive medicine.
His academic contribution is substantial. He has delivered more than 800 lectures according to his professional profile, contributed to dozens of book chapters, edited medical books and participated in the development of Good Clinical Practice Recommendations. These efforts reflect an emphasis on ensuring that medical knowledge is not restricted to individual practitioners but is disseminated across the wider professional community.
Dr. Pai has also been associated with initiatives addressing healthcare quality and access. His involvement with the FOGSI Manyata initiative, supported by MSD for Mothers and Jhpiego, has focused on improving the quality of maternal and newborn care in India. His professional profile also records his involvement in FIGO-led initiatives around innovation, equity and respectful maternity care.
His community-oriented work has been another dimension of his career. As President of the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction, he was associated with Project Hope, an initiative through which eligible patients from economically weaker sections could receive IVF services free of charge through participating private clinics.
This combination of clinical innovation, academic contribution, professional leadership and community engagement provides a broader perspective on Dr. Pai’s work. His career illustrates how a medical professional can contribute to a field not only through individual patient treatment, but also through technology adoption, knowledge creation, professional training and initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare systems.
