Datuk Dr Shankar Gunarasa from Pantai Hospital Melaka has been honoured with the BrandLaureate Healthcare Influencer Award 2026, recognizing his excellence in Advanced Colorectal Surgery and Patient-Centred Surgical Care.
The award was presented at The BrandLaureate Medical & Healthcare Advancement BestBrands Awards 2026, organized by The World Brands Foundation (TWBF). The award celebrate medical professionals whose expertise innovation and dedication have made a meaningful impact on healthcare and the communities they serve.
Dr Shankar is highly qualified colorectal surgeon, who holds an MBBS (India), MS (General Surgery) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), FMAS (India), as well as Fellowships in Colorectal Surgery from Malaysia and Bangkok.
The recognition highlights his passion for advancing colorectal surgery while providing quality, patient-centred care.
Recognizing Excellence in Healthcare
Apart from Dr Shankar, a few other Malaysian healthcare professionals were also recognized for their contributions to the medical field. Among them were Dr Navin Datesh Daneshwar of Uroheal for Innovation and Advancement in Patient-Centred Urological Care, Dr Prisila Thanabalan, founder of Fresh Smile Dental Clinic, for Innovation and Leadership in Airway-Focused Dentistry, and Dato’ Dr Prakash Rao, founder and principal general practitioner of Ampang Medical Practice for Community Healthcare Leadership and Humanitarian Service to Public Health.
Also receiving awards were Dr Narjit Singh, founder and CEO of Kumpulan Perubatan SMP Sdn Bhd and My Life Centred Sdn Bhd, for Innovation in Preventive, Integrative and Cellular Health Medicine, and Dr Malwinder Singh, also know as The Bald Oncologist, for Advancing Excellence in Oncology.
The BrandLaureate awards recognizes organizations and individuals whose innovation, leadership, and commitment continue to raised standards in the lifestyle and healthcare industries while making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Sources: The BrandLaureate Award, Pantai Hospital Melaka Facebook, Pantai Hospital Melaka Website
