Dr. Govind Narain Malviya (G.N. Malviya) is an Indian physician and leprologist known for his pioneering work in the treatment, reconstructive surgery, and rehabilitation of people affected by leprosy. He served as Deputy Director and later as Head and Scientist G in the Department of Reconstructive Surgery at the Central JALMA Institute for Leprosy (now the National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and Other Mycobacterial Diseases) in Agra. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1991, and he later received the Dr. B.C. Roy Award.

Born in Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Malviya dedicated much of his professional life to one of the most stigmatised diseases in India. At a time when leprosy patients often faced isolation and limited medical options, he focused on practical, compassionate care that went beyond simply treating the infection.

At the JALMA Institute he specialised in reconstructive surgery to correct deformities caused by the disease—restoring function to hands, feet and faces so that patients could regain independence and dignity. He strongly advocated a multidisciplinary approach: early detection, multi-drug therapy, patient education on self-care, psychological counselling, and socio-economic rehabilitation. His research included studies on sensory perception in leprosy and the use of tools such as the SALSA scale to measure activity limitations, emphasising the need for long-term follow-up even after medical treatment was complete.

“Medicine alone is not enough,” he often told younger colleagues. “If we heal the body but leave the person rejected by society, we have only done half the work.”

Dr. Malviya delivered numerous award lectures and authored a large body of scientific work—ResearchGate lists over a hundred of his papers. His efforts helped shift the focus of leprosy care in India from isolation to active rehabilitation and social reintegration.

In recognition of his contributions, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri in 1991. Nine years later the Medical Council of India honoured him with the Dr. B.C. Roy Award, the highest recognition in the Indian medical profession.

Through decades of clinical work, research and advocacy, Dr. Govind Narain Malviya played an important role in improving the lives of thousands of leprosy-affected people and in reducing the stigma surrounding the disease.