Ganesh Baraiya, a 23-year-old from Gujarat, recently accomplished the remarkable feat of completing his MBBS degree. Standing at a mere 3 feet tall, he may well be the world’s shortest doctor. His journey to attain a medical degree was fraught with challenges, including initial rejection from medical school due to his dwarfism.
Facing a setback when denied admission by the Medical Council of India (MCI) committee, which expressed concerns about his ability to handle emergency cases due to his height, Ganesh Baraiya sought help from his school’s principal, Dr. Dalpath Bhai Katariya of Nilkanth Vidyapeeth, and Revasish Servaiya. Together, they decided to take the case to the High Court of Gujarat.
After a protracted legal battle, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor in 2018, allowing him to pursue MBBS. Although the admission process for MBBS had concluded, Ganesh secured admission in 2019 to Government Medical College, Bhavnagar. Commencing his MBBS journey on August 1, 2019, he recently completed his degree and is currently working as an intern at Sir-T Hospital in Bhavnagar.
Dr. Baraiya, the son of a farmer, reflects on his journey with gratitude for the support he received. Despite encountering obstacles, his determination and resilience shone through. He acknowledges the crucial role played by his friends, classmates, batch-mates, and teachers, especially in providing him the attention he needed in class.
Now an intern doctor in a Bhavnagar hospital, Dr. Baraiya’s four-and-a-half-year MBBS education culminates in this internship. Dean of the Medical College, Dr. Hemant Mehta, expresses joy over his achievement, highlighting Baraiya’s ability to navigate challenges and the crucial support he received.
Ganesh Baraiya’s story stands as a testament to resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Despite initial rejection, he persevered with the support of mentors and a legal battle that ultimately resulted in a landmark Supreme Court decision. Today, as an intern doctor, he continues to defy expectations, embodying the power of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit in pursuing his passion for medicine.