Former Director, Founder of Paediatric surgery dept at PGI Chandigarh Dr Iqbal Chand Pathak passes away at 97

Chandigarh: In an unfortunate incident, an eminent personality in the field of pediatric surgery and former Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI Chandigarh) Director, Dr Iqbal Chand Pathak, passed away at the age of 97.  

With his passing away, the paediatric surgery fraternity in India has lost a charismatic teacher, pioneer and mentor. In addition, a condolence meeting was organized at PGIMER to honor Dr Pathak, who held the position of Director from 1981 to his retirement in 1985.

Pathak joined PGIMER as Assistant Professor in Surgery in 1962 and established an independent Department of Pediatric Surgery in June 1968 – one of the first in North West India.

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Born in Punjab, Pathak graduated from the Medical College of Amritsar and received higher training in pediatric surgery from the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London. He was also Professor Emeritus and Founder Chairman of the Department of Paediatrics, PGI. Pathak was an Honorary Surgeon to the President of India from 1983–85. 

He was president of the Association of Pediatric Surgeons of India from 1977 to 1978 and was elected chairman and managing trustee of the TTV Chuttani Charitable trust in 1996. Sr Pathak received the Senior Commonwealth Fellowship, England and Fellowship of the National Academy of Medical sciences in 1975.

Pathak was the recipient of many awards, honours, orations, as well as fellowships and continued to receive accolades well after his retirement, including the RK Gandhi Gold Medal Award in 2006, reports the HT.

Talking about this, Prof. S.M.Bose, former Senior Professor and HOD Surgery, PGI, who was a student of Dr Pathak, said in a Facebook post, "Prof. Iqbal Chand Pathak, a pillar of PGI, Chandigarh, an eminent surgeon, competent administrator, Ustaad to thousands of surgeons spread all over the world, and a loved and respected person, breathed his last in the early hours of 21st March 2023. Born on 7th April 1925, we all were looking forward to celebrate his Centenarian birthday but alas this could not happen."

"I was envious of this person for everything and tried to emulate him, his surgical skills, his teaching and training methodology, his awe-inspiring oratory and writing skills, his impeccable dressing sense. He was a very warm-hearted person, knew almost every employee of PGI and that is why he continued to be the most loved person in the campus even 38 years after his active service at PGI," he added.

Prof. Vishali Gupta, his Ophthalmologist for the last decade in her tribute to him, said, "He was an epitome of dignity, I have learnt from him how to live life with elegance, grace and peacefully.”

Prof. Vijay Kak, the erstwhile head of Neuro Surgery PGI, and Director Principal of GMC, Chandigarh, said, “ He exemplified the ideal characteristics of an affable person, a perfect human being. He was always approachable, a patient listener and gave sane advice with a pleasant face.” 

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