Raju G. Mendez
Padmavibhushan, Dr MS Valiathan a veteran cardiac surgeon and a legendary in the field of medicine popularly known as the first director of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram was an erudite, with qualifications of great height.
Pursuing his MBBS degree from the Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, after completing studies at the University College, he took his MS degree from the University of Liverpool. Dr Valiathan returned home after earning an FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons).
Dr Valiathan worked at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh for a brief period. Even while working at PGIMER, he continued his studies. Soon, he left the country for Johns Hopkins and a few other universities, for advanced studies in cardiac surgery.
As the first director of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) which still upholds its vision as high as it was envisaged, and patients highly confident about the promise of pertinent treatment it provides, Dr.Valiathan was the one who altered the establishment’s focus on adopting medical technological advancements long back. First in the country in this genre, he initiated the manufacturing of heart valves at SCTIMST, making them cost-effective and affordable. They were till then imported at an exorbitant price.
His unique contributions to Indian medical science include manufacturing blood bags and making them available in every corner of the country.
After SCTIMST, he joined Manipal University as its first Vice-Chancellor. However, his earnest desire to learn more about other streams of medicine landed him in persistent research into the indigenous system of Ayurveda. He found excellence in both Allopathy and Ayurveda, even as the practitioners of the two streams were frequently at loggerheads with each other, over their supremacy of efficacy.DrValiathan had an upper hand in making Ayurveda popular, and spreading awareness about it among professionals, a clear proof of his dedication, determination, and diligence.
He put forward valuable proposals to produce a joint effect greater than the sum of their effects separately as Ayurveda and Allopathy viewed from different angles. He used to disseminate the ‘mantra’ that ‘Ayurveda is not only the mother of medicine but an umbrella encompassing all life sciences in India.’
His visionary steps to start the Kerala School of Mathematics in Kozhikode, and to coordinate various institutes under the State Science and Technology Council to be an impetus to scientific research, are some of his other significant contributions. He also adorned the post of Chairman of the Indian Academy of Sciences.
The Padmavibhushan and several other awards — national and international — he had won were the glorious things he brought to Kerala. He did not forget to write the three great texts titled Legacy Of Charaka; Legacy Of Susrutha and Legacy Of Warbhata,in the midst of the busy journey of his life.
Dr. Valiathan’s life should be conceived as an ideal role model for students and professionals in their every endeavor. He contributed to society more than what he had earned.
