Dept. of Gynaecology
Head of Department:Dr.K.J.Coyaji
The Gynaecology department of KEM Hospital, Pune has been actively involved in research field concerning womens'
reproductive health matters.Dr. K.J.Coyaji, Gynaecologist is the Principal Investigator for Research Projects.
K.E.M. Hospital Research Center(KEMHRC) in collaboration with Population Council, New York has been the pioneer of medical abortion for first trimester in India. It has been the only research center to have
done research in medical abortion in both rural and urban settings way back in 1994.
Medical abortion for early pregnancy upto seven weeks is now an accepted method and has been included in MTP Act
by Govt. of India from 2002 onwards. Our research showed that medical abortion is feasible and acceptable
both in rural and urban community of India. Lancet published our findings "Mifepristone abortion outside the urban
research hospital setting in India" in Jan 2001.
Since Mifepristone, the key drug for medical abortion was not freely available in many countries, trials were conducted using Misoprostol alone for medical abortia in KEMHRC along with other countries like Vietnam
and America in 2001-2002. As results were not very encouraging further research was stopped; Mifepristone
was freely available then.
KEMHRC has done research not only on early first trimester abortions, but also on late first trimester and second trimester
abortions
Apart from abortion, KEMHRC is been working on "Emergency Contraceptive" and cafeteria approach for family
planning methods, trial for Norplant as a contraceptive.
Emergency contraception is not practiced as a routine in India. We had a very interesting project
about providing information, knowledge and advance supply of emergency contraceptive to all rural and urban
community. The response was encouraging.
KEMHRC has also collaborated with Rockefeller Foundation, NewYork, for developing new algorithms for the
treatment of vaginal discharge
KEMHRC has been working with ICMR, New Delhi on various reproductive health projects. As of now KEMHRC is working on "A simple behavioural intervention to reduce Episiotomy rate and
Hospital based surveillance for childhood morbidity and mortality study." and efficacy and acceptability of
"Centchroman Study- Phase IV",an oral contraceptive pill
KEMHRC is also involved with "Prayas" on a project which deals with prevention of transmission of HIV from
mother to child during pregnancy.
Contact:
020-26125600 Extn:7319/7320