Prof. Dr. Prathap Somnath, M.S., M.Ch. (Paediatric Surgery), is a distinguished medical professional and academic administrator, currently serving as the Principal of Karuna Medical College. With a career spanning over 34 years, he brings a wealth of experience from his previous leadership roles as the Principal of Government Medical Colleges in Ernakulam, Kannur, and Thrissur, preceded by a significant five-and-a-half-year tenure as the Vice Principal of Government Medical College, Kozhikode.

An accomplished alumnus of Government Medical College, Trivandrum, Prof. Dr. Prathap Somnath earned his MBBS degree in 1986, followed by an MS in Surgery in 1990, and an MCh in Paediatric Surgery in 1994. As a dedicated paediatric surgeon, he has performed over 8,000 complex paediatric operations, demonstrating exceptional surgical expertise. He is also a passionate educator, known for his commitment to simplifying medical concepts and fostering an environment of academic excellence. His career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to advancing medical education and patient care.

Was awarded the best doctor-teacher in the Superspeciality sector of Kerala Medical College teachers

(KGMCTA) by the Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan in October2023.

Worked as Professor & Head of the Dept. of Paediatric Surgery at the Govt. Medical College, Kozhikode for 12 years from 2009 onwards and thus taught and trained 18MCh post doctoral PGs among the 55 such professionals who got trained from the centre over the last 41 years since its inception.

Brought revolutionary changes in the Dept. at Kozhikode improving the infrastructure & protocolising the management of various paediatric surgical conditions esp. paediatric urology. And started the Paediatric Urology division in the state in the Government sector.

Performed a rare surgery – colonic substitution of vagina in vaginal atresia in the state in 2009.

First to design an innovative method of kidney saving urinary diversion and also revolutionize the management of obstructive uropathy in newborns and infants thereby preventing renal failure & presented in the National Conference of Paediatric Surgeons as early as in 2011. Now successfully completed 373 such operations over 12 years and the original and pioneer work was published in an indexed Paediatric Surgery journal in March 2022.

Could perform a very rare surgery twice in the history of Kerala State—Siamese/Conjoined Parasitic

Twins separation in 2013 & 2014 at Kozhikode.

Described & published a new entity called “Partial Gastric Fundal Volvulus ” in newborns.

Guest Speaker in the National Paediatric Nephrology Conference in 2011 and in the National Paediatric Gastroenterology Conference in 2009 & 2014.

Presented papers in the National Paediatric Surgery Conferences in 2006, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and secured best paper awards in several of them.

Regular Speaker in various Conferences.

National level PG teacher for Pediatrics Post graduates for the last 12 years.

One of the Surgeons to have performed a good no. of intersex & gender conversion surgeries in the state over the last 28 years — more than 100 cases.

Was the Health Education Co-ordinator for nearly 10 years at SAT Hospital, Medical College, Trivandrum & developed around 30 health education programmes & telefilms meant for the public.

Gave health talks in television & AIR on 11 different occasions.

Wrote chapters in Paediatric Surgery in the textbooks in Paediatrics.

Published a “Handbook of Pediatric Surgery”, the first one of its kind in the state, in the year 2018.

Personally designed restrainer like appliances to aid in the surgery for cleft lip & cleft palate.

Playing jazz drums is a pastime.