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Dr. Gool N. Vazifdar

Dr. (Miss) Gool N Vazifdar was the 15th President of the Bombay Obstetric and Gynecological society. Not much known today to the present members of the society compared to other stalwart Presidents, she has silently worked for both The Bombay society and The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological societies of India to bring them to the present glory.

Dr. Vazifadar was born in the pre-Independence era on December 1, 1907 in a Parsi family where it was very difficult, if not impossible, for a girl to dream of a professional career. Dream she did and she also had a great career in obstetrics and gynecology in spite of all the resistance that she had to face. All she wanted to do was to be a doctor to serve people and obstetrics was a choice as it dealt with women. She had predecessors like Dr. D.J.R. Dadabhoy and Dr. Jerusha Jhirad as her idols and she did her MD in Obstetrics and Gynecology and FCPS.

She finished her post-graduation and was available full time for the service of women. She served at The St. George’s Hospital as an Honorary Consultant, where she was responsible for starting an exclusive ward for women for their obstetrics and gynecology problems. This unit has from then developed into a fine department for women and their problems. She was also associated with The Red Cross Society and agreed with its principles. She, in association with The Red Cross Society, started blood transfusion services at her own private hospital during World War II, something that was unheard of in those times.

Men dominated the posts of President in The Bombay society and FOGSI in those times. When she took over as the 15th President of The Bombay Obstetric and Gynecological society, she was only the fourth women to have got that post. She later on became the Trustee of the Bombay society. She also became The President of FOGSI in 1978.

Her contribution toward the initiation and development of The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India as the academic mouthpiece of FOGSI which reaches all its members will never be forgotten. She was the founder Secretary and Manager of the Journal since its inception in 1950 and dedicated her entire life to that cause. She worked silently, continuously, sincerely, and devotedly to the Journal for over 40 years.

Significant among her associations was The Association of Medical Women of India and The Cama and Albless Hospital of Mumbai. She has attended and presented papers in many national and international conferences during her tenure.

Her demise on January 19, 2003 at the age of 95 was a great loss to FOGSI and her five decades of silent work will always be honored.