About Dr. Pravina Shah
Dr. Pravina Ushakant Shah is one of India’s most accomplished and senior Neurologists, currently serving as Senior Consultant in the Department of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai, with over 50 years of clinical experience in neurology. She holds MBBS, MD (General Medicine, 1971), and DM (Neurology, 1975) — all from the prestigious King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College (KEM Hospital), Mumbai. She served as Head of the Neurology Department at Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital from 1983 to 2002 — a landmark 19-year tenure. She is a past President of the Indian Epilepsy Society and Secretary of the Indian Epilepsy Association, Mumbai Chapter. In 2011, she received the Social Accomplishment Award from the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) — an honour given only once every two years to one person worldwide who has contributed to the cause of epilepsy.
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MBBS — King Edward Memorial Hospital & Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College (KEM Hospital), Mumbai
- MD (General Medicine) — King Edward Memorial Hospital & Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College, Mumbai · 1971
- DM (Neurology) — King Edward Memorial Hospital & Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College, Mumbai · 1975
Fellowships & Special Training
- All training at KEM Hospital, Mumbai — one of India's most respected teaching hospitals for neurology
Certifications & Accreditations
- Past President — Indian Epilepsy Society
- Secretary — Indian Epilepsy Association, Mumbai Chapter
- Member — Medical Council of India (MCI)
- Postgraduate Teacher — DNB (Neurology)
- Social Accomplishment Award — International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) · 2011
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Epilepsy — Comprehensive evaluation, medical management, and video EEG workup for surgical candidacy
- Stroke — Acute management and secondary prevention
- Brain Tumours — Neurological management and coordination
- Neuromuscular Disorders — Myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathy, motor neurone disease
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders
- Headache and Migraine — Diagnosis and preventive management
- Brain Haemorrhage and Vascular Neurological Conditions
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
- Insomnia and Sleep Disorders
- Neurological Infections — Meningitis, encephalitis, neurocysticercosis
Sub-Specialties
- Epilepsy: Dr. Shah's primary subspecialty — spanning five decades of clinical and academic leadership, including as President of the Indian Epilepsy Society. Particular expertise in refractory epilepsy workup and Video EEG.
- Video EEG: Expert in video electroencephalography for characterising seizure type and identifying candidates for epilepsy surgery.
- Lumbar Puncture: Diagnostic CSF analysis for neurological infections, inflammatory conditions, and subarachnoid haemorrhage.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): Evaluation and coordination of VNS therapy for medically refractory epilepsy patients.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Video EEG for seizure characterisation
- Lumbar puncture (diagnostic and therapeutic)
- Canalith repositioning (CR) for BPPV / vertigo
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) coordination
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for refractory epilepsy
- Epilepsy surgery evaluation and referral pathway
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery coordination for intractable epilepsy and brain tumours
- Comprehensive electrophysiology — EEG, nerve conduction studies, EMG
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
Senior Consultant — Neurology | Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai (Mulund Goregaon Link Road, Mulund West) | 2002 – PresentPast Experience
- Head — Department of Neurology | Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M Hospital, Mumbai | 1983 – 2002
- Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai | Neurologist, Past association
Academic & Research Roles
- Past Head — Department of Neurology, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai (19-year tenure, 1983–2002)
- Postgraduate Teacher — DNB (Neurology)
- Past President — Indian Epilepsy Society
- Secretary — Indian Epilepsy Association, Mumbai Chapter
- Frequent Guest Chairperson — National and international neurological scientific meetings and CMEs on neuromuscular disorders and epilepsy
- Multiple national and international publications in neurology
Key Achievements
- Social Accomplishment Award — International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) · 2011 — Given once every two years to ONE person worldwide for contribution to the cause of epilepsy
- Head of Neurology, KEM Hospital, Mumbai — 1983 to 2002 (19 years of academic and clinical leadership)
- Past President — Indian Epilepsy Society
- 50+ years of neurological practice — among India's most experienced neurologists in clinical practice
- Pioneer in epilepsy neurology in India — shaped the specialty through decades of academic and clinical leadership at KEM Hospital
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Social Accomplishment Award — International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) · 2011 — A global award given once every two years to one person worldwide for contributions to the cause of epilepsy
Professional Memberships
- Indian Epilepsy Society — Past President
- Indian Epilepsy Association — Secretary, Mumbai Chapter
- Medical Council of India (MCI)
- International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) — Award recipient member
- International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
Dr. Shah has multiple national and international publications in neurology, particularly in epilepsy, across her five-decade career. Specific indexed publications are available through PubMed (search: Pravina Shah neurology). Key areas include epilepsy management in the Indian setting, neuromuscular disorders, and neurological infections.- Multiple papers in Indian and international neurology journals on epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, and general neurology (specific citations not publicly listed at time of writing)
- Contributions to neurology teaching programme at KEM Hospital — reflected in DNB (Neurology) teacher role
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- Refractory epilepsy evaluation and Video EEG
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for medically intractable epilepsy
- Epilepsy in women — management through childbearing years
- Neurological infection outcomes — meningitis, encephalitis, neurocysticercosis
Notable Cases Handled
Case 01 — Refractory Epilepsy Evaluated for Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A patient with severe medication-resistant epilepsy — having failed multiple antiepileptic drugs over several years — underwent comprehensive Video EEG workup at Fortis Mulund under Dr. Shah's evaluation. Characterisation of the seizure onset zone and functional mapping led to a recommendation for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). Following VNS implantation, the patient achieved a significant reduction in seizure frequency, improving quality of life and returning to independent living.Case 02 — Wilson's Disease Presenting as Psychiatric Illness: A young patient referred with a diagnosis of schizophrenia was re-evaluated by Dr. Shah at Fortis Mulund. Neurological examination, serum ceruloplasmin testing, urine copper quantification, and ophthalmological examination confirmed Wilson's disease — a treatable genetic condition frequently missed as psychiatric illness. Institution of copper chelation therapy resulted in progressive neurological and behavioural improvement over the following months.
Patient Feedback Themes
- Five Decades of Trust: Patients choose Dr. Shah for the unique reassurance that comes from a neurologist with over 50 years of clinical practice and a career spanning KEM Hospital's prestigious neurology department.
- Epilepsy Leadership: Patients with complex or refractory epilepsy specifically seek Dr. Shah as a past President of the Indian Epilepsy Society with a career-long specialisation in the condition.
- Compassionate, Personal Care: Described as deeply compassionate — "I believe in health care that is based on a personal commitment to meet patient needs with compassion and care."
- Patient-Educator Role: Appreciated for her role in educating patients and families about epilepsy, neurological conditions, and treatment options — reflecting decades of teaching experience at KEM Hospital.
Treatment Approach & Philosophy
Patient-Centred Care
Dr. Shah's clinical philosophy — shaped by five decades of academic neurology and clinical practice — is centred on a personal commitment to each patient. She believes deeply in health care that addresses not just the neurological condition but the patient as a whole person — particularly important in epilepsy, where stigma, employment, relationships, and quality of life are all directly affected by the diagnosis and its management. As the Secretary of the Indian Epilepsy Association (Mumbai Chapter), she has been a lifelong advocate for epilepsy awareness and the elimination of social stigma associated with the condition.Technology & Innovation
Dr. Shah is expert in Video EEG — the gold standard for seizure characterisation and epilepsy surgery evaluation — and in the full range of neurological investigations including nerve conduction studies, EMG, and CSF analysis. She evaluates and manages candidates for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for intractable epilepsy and brain tumours, and epilepsy surgery pathways. Her approach integrates current best-practice guidelines from the International League Against Epilepsy with deep clinical experience gained over five decades of neurological practice in Mumbai.Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Specialist Consultation | Rs.2,000 - Rs.4,000 | $24 - $48 |
| Follow-Up Consultation | Rs.1,500 - Rs.3,000 | $18 - $36 |
| Video EEG (24-48 hour monitoring) | Rs.30,000 - Rs.80,000 | $360 - $960 |
| Nerve Conduction Studies / EMG | Rs.5,000 - Rs.15,000 | $60 - $180 |
| Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) — device and procedure | Rs.8,00,000 - Rs.15,00,000 | $9,600 - $18,000 |
International Patient Assistance
Language Support
Dr. Shah is fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi. Cancer Rounds provides professional medical interpretation in Arabic, French, Russian, and other languages on request.Visa & Travel Assistance
Cancer Rounds provides medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Pravina Shah at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, Mumbai.Virtual Consultations
Virtual pre-travel consultations are available through Cancer Rounds for review of epilepsy records, prior EEG reports, clinical history, and current medications before arrival in Mumbai for neurological evaluation.Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What advanced technologies does Dr. Pravina Shah use in neurology treatment?A: Dr. Shah is expert in Video EEG for seizure characterisation, Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) evaluation for refractory epilepsy, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery coordination, canalith repositioning for vertigo, and comprehensive electrophysiology including nerve conduction studies, EMG, and CSF lumbar puncture analysis.
- Q: What conditions does Dr. Pravina Shah specialise in treating?A: Dr. Shah specialises in epilepsy (including refractory epilepsy and surgical evaluation), stroke, brain tumours, neuromuscular disorders, Parkinson's disease, headache and migraine, brain haemorrhage, ADHD, sleep disorders, and neurological infections. Epilepsy is her primary subspecialty focus across her 50-year career.
- Q: How do I book an appointment with Dr. Pravina Shah?A: Appointments can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
- Q: Can international patients receive treatment from Dr. Pravina Shah?A: Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Pravina Shah, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination in Mumbai.
- Q: What support is available for international patients?A: International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
- Q: Does Dr. Pravina Shah offer second opinions for neurology and epilepsy cases?A: Yes. Virtual second opinion consultations on epilepsy management — particularly for refractory epilepsy, atypical presentations, and VNS candidacy — can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for both domestic and international patients.
