Dr. Swati Kanakia
MD DCH PhD
Consultant Pediatric Hematologist & Oncologist
Dr. Swati Kanakia is a distinguished Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist based in Mumbai, with an impressive academic and clinical track record. She graduated with multiple distinctions from the prestigious Grant Medical College, Mumbai, and went on to specialize in Pediatrics at the same institute. Her dedication and excellence in the field were recognized early on, earning her a gold medal in the DCH (Diploma in Child Health) examination.
Dr. Kanakia pursued her PhD in Applied Biology from 1992 to 2000, focusing her dissertation on Plasma Borne Infections in Thalassemia. During this period, she was affiliated with the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal
To further enrich her expertise in pediatric oncology, Dr. Kanakia completed advanced training at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, USA, under a Travelling Scholarship from the hospital's International Outreach Program. Upon her return to India, she was awarded the Senior Research Fellowship and Research Associateship by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), along with the Bibi Chand Scholarship from the Indian Academy of Pediatrics.
Currently, Dr. Kanakia practices at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre and SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai, where she specializes in diagnosing and treating childhood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, and hepatoblastoma. Her clinical interests also include hematological conditions such as thalassemia, hemophilia, platelet disorders (like ITP), anemia, pediatric bleeding disorders, and primary immune deficiencies.
Dr. Kanakia brings both compassion and cultural sensitivity to her practice, making her a trusted figure among families from diverse backgrounds.
Beyond her clinical roles, she is actively involved in academic training and medical education. A respected teacher and mentor, Dr. Kanakia is deeply engaged in training postgraduate pediatric students and has served as an examiner for the DNB Pediatric program. She is a recognized faculty member at Lilavati Hospital. She has hosted over 100 episodes of Medivision, India`s First CME (Continuing Medical Education) series on Doordarshan 2. Dr Raju Kanakia & Dr Swati Kanakia have been pioneers India’s first medical education platform, HealthVarsity.
Her professional affiliations include:
• Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)
• Pediatric Hematology Oncology Chapter of IAP
• Indian Society for Primary Immune Deficiency (ISPID)
• Indian Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion
• Secretary, Mumbai Hematology Group
In addition to her medical qualifications, Dr. Kanakia holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM), combining clinical expertise with strategic leadership skills in healthcare.