As I walked into the ENT department at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West, Mumbai, I was there not merely as an observer, but as a medical journalist seeking insight into the evolving landscape of otolaryngology. My focus was to understand what truly defines an ENT Specialist in Mumbai — the training, the technology, and the patient philosophy behind modern ENT care. My conversation with Dr. Shama Kovale, widely regarded as the Best ENT Specialist in Mumbai, offered a grounded and detailed perspective on this demanding specialty.
In a city as medically advanced and densely populated as Mumbai, the expectations from an ENT specialist extend far beyond routine consultations. ENT practice today encompasses advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive surgery, voice restoration procedures, cochlear implantation, airway reconstruction, and swallowing rehabilitation.
Dr. Shama Kovale’s career reflects this evolution. She holds an MBBS, Diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (DLO), and MS in ENT from the prestigious B.Y.L. Nair Hospital and the University of Mumbai. Over the years, she has further refined her expertise with specialised fellowships in Voice and Swallowing Disorders at UC Davis, USA, and advanced laryngology training. Her additional training in cochlear implant surgery highlights the breadth of her clinical scope.
With over two decades of experience, she currently serves as Senior Consultant and Head of the Voice and Swallowing Centre at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital — a role that places her at the intersection of surgical precision and multidisciplinary collaboration.
During my visit, the infrastructure stood out immediately. The Voice and Swallowing Centre is equipped with high-definition videolaryngoscopy systems, fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), advanced audiology testing, and state-of-the-art operating theatres.
What differentiates this setup is the integration of diagnostics and treatment planning within the same ecosystem. Patients are evaluated using precise visualization tools that allow early detection of vocal cord lesions, airway narrowing, sinus pathology, and swallowing disorders.
Office-based procedures such as injection laryngoplasty and minor endoscopic interventions are performed in controlled settings with minimal disruption to daily life. More complex surgeries — including microscopic ear surgery or airway reconstruction — are conducted in fully equipped modular operating rooms.
The atmosphere remains clinical yet calm. Appointments follow structured evaluation protocols, and the emphasis remains on clarity and evidence-based recommendations rather than overt persuasion.
In our discussion, Dr. Shama Kovale emphasized that ENT interventions must always balance functional improvement with patient safety.