Obituary:Dr. NB Kumta (1933 – 2024)
Obituary:Dr. NB Kumta (1933 – 2024)
We at the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr. NB Kumta, a renowned pediatrician, who left us on 23rd September 2024. Dr. Kumta graduated with his MBBS in 1959 and MD in 1962 from Mumbai University. His remarkable career spanned decades of dedicated service to child health and pediatric care. As the Head of Pediatrics at KEM Hospital in Mumbai until his retirement in 1991, his compassionate care and medical expertise earned him the respect and admiration of countless colleagues, students, and patients. He was elected President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics in 1991.
Dr. Kumta’s contributions to public health extend beyond his clinical practice. He was one of the visionary founders of the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI). On 27th March 1992, during a meeting at my home in Delhi, Dr. Kumta, along with Dr. RK Anand, the late Dr. Tarsem Jindal, and myself, took the first steps in establishing BPNI. Each of us contributed ₹1000 to launch this movement, driven by a shared commitment to safeguard infant and young child nutrition through the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding. Today, BPNI is deeply saddened to miss two of its founders.
Dr. Kumta’s work within BPNI was instrumental in shaping breastfeeding protection and promotion efforts across India. Inspired by Dr. Anand, he became involved in a workshop on Human Lactation Management, after which he organized several training workshops under his leadership, eventually founding BPNI Maharashtra. His dedication to training breastfeeding advocates influenced numerous doctors to take part in this crucial work.
A key figure in mobilizing action on the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles, and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act 1992 and its Amendment Act of 2003 (IMS Act), Dr. Kumta led a team to meet Mr. Ram Naik, then a Member of Parliament, who later filed a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament, leading to the passage of the law.
In BPNI’s early days, Dr. Kumta’s wisdom, leadership, and tireless advocacy with both governments and UN agencies left an indelible mark on the organization and the broader pediatric community.
His passing is a great loss to the socio-medical fraternity, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations in the field of pediatric medicine and public health.
Dr. Kumta’s compassion, commitment, and gentle spirit will always be remembered with deep respect and fondness by all those whose lives he touched. There are many fond memories of his presence, which are captured in the accompanying pictures.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the countless individuals whose lives were enriched by his presence. He will be dearly missed.
Dr. Arun Gupta,
Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI)
24th September 2024
Some fond memories of Dr.NB Kumta with BPNI
TOT Human Lactation Training, Wardha, Maharashtra, India (3rd December1991)
Dr.NB Kumta in the Centre Top Row in Blue Suit
National Partners Meeting, Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India (2001)
Dr.NB Kumta third from (L-R)
National Partners Meeting, Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India (2001)
Dr.NB Kumta sitting second from (L-R)
National Partners Meeting, Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India (2001)
Dr.NB Kumta standing second from (L-R)
National Partners Meeting, Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India (2001)
From (L-R) Dr.RK.Anand, Dr.NB Kumta and Dr.Tarsem Jindal