Coimbatore : A city doctor has been honoured by British House of Commons for ‘Original Contribution to the Development of Laparoscopic Surgery’, Gem Hospital Institute of Gastroenterology and Laparoscopy chairman

Dr C Palanivelu became the first Indian to be recognised by British Parliament, along with 32 other eminent personale from various countries.”It is a proud moment for me and also India to receive such an award, carrying a medal and certificate,” he told reporters here Wednesday.

UK Parliament Health Committee chairman Lord Baroness Lidia Antunes presented the award at a function in Parliament on October 26, he said.

Parliament appreciated the success of Indian health care system in implementing new technology and newer advanced techniques at affordable cost to common people, Palanivelu said.

Palanivelu introduced laparoscopic surgery first time in Coimbatore, becoming the standard of care for gastrointestinal, genitourinary and cancer of uterus and ovary.

Over 25 years, he has won many international recognitions and his innovations and technique on minimally invasive surgery for cancer esophagus and pancreas has been followed as standard of care globally.