Dr Kishore Kumar: Village upbringing, international training and pushing the boundaries of neurosurgery in India

(April 4, 2026) A few years ago, a seven-year-old boy — gasping for breath — arrived at a corporate hospital in Karimnagar district of Telangana in a critical condition. An urgent CT scan revealed severe complications in the brain.

Wasting no time, a team of doctors led by Dr Kishor Kumar proceeded with emergency surgical management and performed a cystoperitoneal shunt — a procedure to divert fluid from the cysts, which helped decrease the pressure in the brain. The quick decision-making by Dr Kishor Kumar, and the intervention saved the child’s life.

Managing this case in a rural setup like Karimnagar posed several challenges. Despite the constraints, the outcome was highly rewarding for the neurosurgeon. “This case remains one of the most challenging yet deeply satisfying experiences in my neurosurgical practice, reinforcing the importance of timely intervention and decisive action in life-threatening situations,” says Dr Kishor Kumar, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon at Medicover Hospital in Hyderabad, in a chat with The Global Indian.

Humble beginnings

Born in Erlapally village in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana, Dr Kishor comes from a humble yet deeply value-driven family background.

His grandfather was a farmer, but more importantly, a visionary. “He firmly believed in the power of education and played a pivotal role in encouraging not only his children but also many others in the village to pursue schooling.”

Inspired by his vision, Dr Kishor’s father went on to become a headmaster, which greatly influenced his upbringing and instilled in him a strong respect for education.

Miles to school

Dr Kishor’s childhood was rooted in simplicity, discipline, and resilience. “During those days, our village had very limited transportation facilities. I still vividly remember my mother walking 4–5 kilometres every day to drop me at school in Hakeempet,” says Dr Kishor, whose early experiences taught him perseverance, dedication, and the true value of hard work.

For a brief period, he stayed in Hyderabad, but eventually returned to his village to continue his education. He completed most of his schooling in rural institutions.

A turning point

After completing his schooling, Dr Kishor pursued his intermediate and degree education, including a period at Government Junior College, Kosgi and SAP College. It was during this time that he discovered his true calling.

“While pursuing my degree, I simultaneously prepared for medical entrance examinations. I undertook a focused crash course in Ongole, which proved to be a turning point in my life.”

Through determination and sustained effort, he secured admission at the Gandhi Medical College. This marked the beginning of his journey in medicine.

Medical school and early influences

During his time at Gandhi Medical College, Dr Kishore was not only academically committed but also actively involved in extracurricular activities. He served as sports captain, participating in cricket, volleyball, and various athletic events.

He completed his MBBS in 2005, and during his internship and early career, he worked at Green Hospital. “This phase was particularly significant, as I had the opportunity to work with and learn from eminent neurosurgeons such as Dr MRC Naidu and Dr KVR Shastry, who inspired my decision to pursue neurosurgery.”

His guru

Driven by passion and commitment, Dr Kishore qualified for DNB Neurosurgery and began his formal training at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills. From 2010 to 2016, he trained under the guidance of Dr Alok Ranjan, whom he refers to as his “guru.”

“This period was transformative, allowing me to gain extensive hands-on experience and develop expertise in complex neurosurgical procedures,” says Dr Kishore, who worked at Apollo Reach Hospital, Karimnagar and Apollo Hospital, DRDO for three years each, one year at Care Hospital, before joining Medicover Hospital.

His expertise

From walking miles to school in a small village to becoming a neurosurgeon trained across India and internationally — Dr Kishore has worked at various hospitals including Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NUHS), Singapore. Specialising in neuro-oncology, vascular neurosurgery, paediatric neurosurgery, and epilepsy surgery, his expertise lies in managing complex neurological conditions with a multidisciplinary approach.

Fellowship in Australia

After completing his neurosurgery training in 2016, Dr Kishor sought further international exposure. He undertook an overseas observer fellowship at Prince of Wales Hospital, working with renowned Australian neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo. “Working with him broadened my perspective on advanced neurosurgical techniques,” recalls Dr Kishore, who trained in Australia for one year from March 2016.

Fellowship in Singapore

He later completed an advanced fellowship at the National University Health System, Singapore. “I gained valuable insights into modern neurosurgical practices in Singapore,” says Dr Kishore, highlighting that training at institutions abroad helped him grow, evolve, and contribute meaningfully to the field of neurosurgery.

Conferences abroad

Dr Kishore has actively participated in major international conferences, including two WFNS World Congresses — one in 2019 in Belgrade, Serbia, and another in 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa — where leading neurosurgeons from across the globe gathered to discuss the latest advancements in neurological care and present academic papers.

He has also participated in multiple Neurological Society of India (NSI) conferences, including a recent one in Indore, where he presented academic papers. He was additionally selected for the prestigious TYSA programme conducted by Torrent Pharma.

Operating on a friend

Among the many challenging cases in his recent practice is that of a close friend and classmate. It was a case of ankylosing spondylitis — a chronic inflammatory autoimmune arthritis causing spinal pain and stiffness, among other complications.

His friend’s condition was further complicated by low haemoglobin levels and underlying chronic kidney disease, making both the surgical planning and perioperative management particularly demanding.

“We proceeded with surgical intervention, which was technically challenging. However, with meticulous planning and execution, the surgery was successfully completed,” says Dr Kishore, pointing out that managing someone known to you adds an additional layer of emotional responsibility and stress to clinical decision-making.

India ahead in neurosurgery

India has made remarkable progress in neurosurgery and today stands at par with global standards, says Dr Kishore. “With advanced infrastructure, highly skilled professionals, and cost-effective care, we are not behind Western countries — in fact, in many aspects, we are ahead in delivering accessible and efficient healthcare.”

Giving back

Giving back to society is an integral part of Dr Kishore’s journey. He actively supports underprivileged patients and students. “I conduct monthly outstation clinics in my constituency for about five days, providing medical care to underserved populations,” he says. He is also a management committee member at Giridhari Executive Park, where he contributes to community initiatives and support activities for those in need.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he extended medical advice, guidance, and support to numerous patients. He has also served as Joint Secretary for two terms in the Gandhi Alumni Association.

Keeping fit

“Fitness is a cornerstone of my lifestyle. I begin each day with a minimum 5 km run and regularly engage in running, cycling, and swimming,” says Dr Kishore, a father of two. He has completed several half marathons and full marathons, which he credits for maintaining both physical endurance and mental clarity.

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