Dr. Pralhad Prabhudesai
Chest Physician
Dr. Pralhad Prabhudesai, is a Respiratory Physician with 35 years of experience
with a unique interest in Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD).
Dr. Pralhad Prabhudesai, is a Respiratory Physician with 35 years of experience
with a unique interest in Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). His academic interests
are reflected in his over 63 publications, and his roles as a Postgraduate Professor
and Bronchoscopy Training Program Director at Institute of Medical and Minimal
Access Surgical Training, India (IMMAST).
Dr. Prabhudesai’s commitment to Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) was profoundly
influenced by personal loss and a quest for meaning in his work. His mother,
Pratibha, succumbed to fibrosing ILD, a pivotal event that left a lasting impact on
him. Moved by the themes of life and purpose discussed in “Tuesdays with
Morrie”, Dr. Prabhudesai recognized PR as a transformative tool, not just for
treating respiratory conditions, but for fundamentally enhancing the lives of
those affected. This realization spurred him, along with his colleagues Dr. Sujit
Rajan and Mr. Vasant Shetye, to embark on a pivotal journey after their visit to
the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, UK. Motivated by this experience, Dr. Pralhad and Dr. Vaishali Prabhudesai
established the Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre (PPRC) in Mumbai, India. This centre integrates global standards with essential cultural
considerations, pioneering a new approach to respiratory care and addressing a
critical gap in the Indian healthcare system.
As a founder of the PPRC in Mumbai, Dr. Prabhudesai has significantly
contributed to advancing healthcare in India, particularly enhancing the quality
of life for patients with pulmonary conditions. His centre adheres to ATS/ERS
guidelines while incorporating innovative adaptations like yoga and
telerehabilitation to meet local cultural needs. Dr. Prabhudesai’s commitment to
evolving patient care practices and his future goals to foster collaborations and
develop a broader PR culture in India accentuate his visionary approach to
healthcare.