Nature is an abode of life on earth with the important life elements like air, water and soil. However, liberty to breathe fresh air in its purest form comfortably is significantly getting harder with the hazardous pollutants surrounding us. While the polluted air is leading to increasing instances of respiratory illnesses, there’s a global rise in respiratory illnesses too, creating demands for advanced pulmonology healthcare today. As per recent analysis, the pulmonology healthcare market in India is currently estimated to be around $1.5 billion in terms of respiratory care devices, and is projected reach $2.27 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of seven percent. Amongst the recognized healthcare doyens, contributing to the evolving pulmonology sector in healthcare is Dr Fatima Mamnoon, a recognized pulmonologist and chest diseases specialist.

A Peek into Professional Journey
Dr Fatima Mamnoon has over a decade of impressive experience in pulmonary medicine. She earned her MBBS from Terna Medical College & Hospital in Navi Mumbai. Afterward, she completed a Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in respiratory medicine at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. In 2015, she also obtained her European Diploma in Respiratory Medicine in Amsterdam. Additionally, she succeeded in the MRCP Part One examination in 2022. During her MBBS, she was also granted some awards for distinctions. Even the thesis & publications that she wrote during her PG, and while practicing as senior resident in the Pulmonology department got her greater recognition.

Dr Fatima initially established her practice in Mumbai, where she developed her career. In July 2022, she moved to Delhi and has resided there since. Currently, she serves as a consultant pulmonologist at Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, a role she has occupied since May 2023. She recently started working at Aadhya Hospital in Delhi. On February 10, 2025, she commenced her position at Max Hospital, also situated in Shalimar Bagh.

Dr Fatima since always wanted to become a doctor. She states, “I have always wanted to be a doctor since my school days, with a particular interest in becoming a physician and a cardiologist. However, fate had other plans for me. My grades led me to pursue a residency in respiratory medicine, which is a three-year direct program. After completing the residency, I had the opportunity to specialize in pulmonology”. Well, when she started her degree in Pulmonology in 2012, pulmonary medicine was not particularly prominent. However, over the last seven or eight years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of pulmonary medicine has gained significant recognition compared to when she initially chose this path.

Today, as a tuberculous & chest diseases specialist and pulmonologist, Dr Fatima focuses on a wide range of respiratory conditions, and specializes in treating patients with asthma, COPD, lung fibrosis (caused by different factors, including smoking, occupational hazards, and post-COVID complications), TB, and sleep apnea.

She possesses specific interest in conducting various interventional procedures, including bronchoscopy, bronchoscopic guided removal of foreign bodies, and biopsies. Additionally, she performs endobronchial ultrasound-guided biopsies (EBUS) for patients with enlarged lymph nodes in the chest, particularly in cases of lung cancer, where this technique assists in cancer staging.

She also performs procedures such as pigtail insertions and chest tube placements for patients with fluid or air accumulation in their lungs or pleural cavity as a preferred treatment for pleural effusion, malignancies, pneumothorax, and more. Dr Fatima’s expertise is not limited to adult pulmonology, she also works with pediatric patients. She has a pediatric bronchoscope deployed, and is involved in the management of respiratory conditions in children as needed, including chest tube insertions and drainage.

During her time with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), she researched and treated patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Many patients struggled to obtain necessary medications due to availability issues or government eligibility criteria. Her efforts led to positive outcomes for those who had lost hope. Mumbai has a high incidence of XDR-TB and MDR-TB compared to other states in India, making her experience particularly valuable.

In addition to her role at MSF, she also works at BM Gupta Hospital, Khetarpal Nursing Home, and maintains a private practice at VCare Polyclinic, thus covering major areas of Delhi. She emphasizes comprehensive investigations for each patient, prioritizing a strong relationship to fully understand their concerns rather than offering quick consultations. By focusing on essential tests and practicing ethically, she provides clear guidance that reduces confusion, creates happier patients, and ensures treatment remains affordable. She states, “It’s important to me that patients receive the care they need, and I do my best to accommodate all treatment and financial situations”.

Dr Fatima emphasizes comprehensive investigations for each patient, prioritizing a strong relationship to fully understand their concerns rather than offering quick consultations

Emphasis on Technology Integration and Latest Developments
Technology has greatly enhanced the way doctors, physicians and specialists conduct consultations today. Hence, deploying all the latest techniques and equipment like EBUS, rigid bronchoscopy, medical thoracoscopy, and more, in her practice, she ensures to provide the best treatment to patients. She has also extended her keen services online, establishing her presence on integrated healthcare platforms like mFine and Practo. Over the period, since COVID-19 pandemic, she had consulted 1000+ patients all over India through these platforms.

Dr Fatima lays increased focus on staying current in her field by reading articles and attending conferences to better attend patients. She also participates in meetings almost every two-three months, both within India and sometimes internationally, where exchange of critical information respective to new workshops, different technologies, and more proves extremely beneficial. She has also been a faculty in many national conferences, including NAPCON.

Future Roadmap
Dr Fatima’s journey in the healthcare field has been impressive, and she has received recognition for her dedicated services through positive patient testimonials. The esteemed 5-6 research publications in her name are a testament to her efficiency in the pulmonology field. Outlining her future plans, she states, “I aim to open my own clinic to offer sleep studies and simple procedures at low costs, serving all patients, including those with limited financial means”.

Publications:
A study of Anemia and its association with COPD, in patients attending tertiary care hospitals. 2014 ISSUE 2 June-July AIJCSR
Unusual Early Presentation of a Malignant Mesothelioma; Non Asbestos Exposure Related, Lilavati Hospital Medical times, June 2014.
IgG- Related Disease: Atypical presentation of a Rare disease, Chest 2014 October 1, 146 (4):427A
A rare cause of chyluria and recurrent chylothorax :Lymphatic Dysplasia Syndrome. Chest 2014;146
Occurrence of osteoporosis in COPD patients- A comparative study with age and sex matched control, JM SCR ;volume 05; issue 08- page 26650-26658; August 2017
Successful End-Of-treatment outcomes of patients with drug resistant tuberculosis who received concomitant bedaquiline and delamanid in Mumbai, India.
New TB drugs for the treatment of children and adolescents with rifampicin-resistant TB in Mumbai, India