(Prof)Dr. Prathap Somanath
Professor & Senior Consultant
Department Of Paediatric Surgery
With over three decades of dedicated service in paediatric surgery, Dr. Prathap Somanath is one of Kerala's most respected and accomplished paediatric surgeons. Having successfully performed more than 8,000 paediatric surgical procedures, including numerous rare, complex, and life-saving operations, he is widely recognized for his surgical expertise, clinical excellence, and compassionate approach to patient care.
Dr. Prathap Somanath completed his MBBS, MS in General Surgery, and MCh in Paediatric Surgery from Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. He served as Principal of Government Medical College Ernakulam, Government Medical College Kannur, and Government Medical College Thrissur. He also served as Vice Principal of Government Medical College Kozhikode and as Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatric Surgery at the same institution, where he played a pivotal role in advancing paediatric surgical education, research, and patient care.
- First to perform colonic substitution of vagina in a child with vaginal atresia in Kerala in 2009.
- First to design an innovative method of kidney saving urinary diversion in 2011 for obstructive uropathy in newborns and infants thereby preventing renal failure and successfully completed 373 such operations over 12 years which was presented in national conferences and published in an indexed journal.
- First to describe and publish a new entity called "Partial Gastric Fundal Volvulus" in newborns.
- Paper presentation in national Paediatric Surgery conferences in 2006, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and secured best paper awards in many of them.
- One of the surgeons to have performed maximum number of intersex and gender conversion surgeries in the state over the last 30 years - more than 100 cases.
- Was the health education cordinator for nearly 10 years at SAT Hospital, Medical College Trivandrum and developed more than 30 health education programs and telefilms meant for the public.
- Brought revolutionary changes in the Paediatric Surgery Department Government Medical College Kozhikode, improving the infrastructure and protocolising the management of various paediatric surgical conditions especially in paediatric urology.
- Author of "Handbook of Paediatric Surgery" published in 2018. Had given several health related TV and radio talks & discussions. Self designed a few appliances to aid in paediatric surgery for cleft lip & cleft palate.
Dr. Prathap Somanath combines vast clinical experience with a deep commitment to the wellbeing of children, providing comprehensive surgical care with compassion, safety, and excellence. His dedication to advancing paediatric surgery has made a lasting impact on countless young patients and their families.
Education
MBBS, MS(General Surgery) MCh (Paediatric Surgery)
