Ganesh Baraiya, the Shortest Doctor in the World
INDIA – Ganesh Baraiya. 23. overcame discrimination to become a doctor at just three feet tall, making him the shortest in the world.
Ganesh was born in Talaja Thaluka, Gujarat, India, appearing normal at birth. However, by the age of four, his parents noticed that only his head was growing, leading to a diagnosis of dwarfism, a condition that couldn’t be cured.
Despite efforts to control his growth, Ganesh Baraiya faced bullying in school due to his disproportionately large head. At one point, his father was offered money for Ganesh to become a circus clown, but he refused out of concern for his son’s safety.
Ganesh’s father accompanied him to school daily and didn’t allow him to leave the house alone. Fortunately, Ganesh found true friends who supported him. Despite his physical limitations, Ganesh harbored ambitions of becoming a doctor from a young age.
He worked hard in his studies and always aimed for high grades. However, when he applied for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree, he was denied due to his dwarfism, which the Medical Council of India deemed incompatible with the demands of medical practice. Despite the rejection, Ganesh didn’t give up on his dream. With the help of his school principal, they appealed to various authorities, ultimately reaching the Supreme Court of India, which granted Ganesh permission to enroll in the MBBS program in 2018.
He began studying medicine in 2019 and completed his course in 2024, currently working as an intern at Sir-T Hospital in Bhavnagar. Despite his success, Ganesh Baraiya continues to experience discrimination. Some patients are hesitant to seek treatment from him because of his height. However, he remains optimistic, accepting their initial reactions and striving to provide them with excellent care.
According to PEP.ph, although not officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, Ganesh is considered the shortest doctor in the world, a recognition he proudly embraces, as it symbolizes the colorful story of his struggles and his parents’ sacrifices to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor.