Renowned Paediatrician Dr Malathi Damodaran passes away at 87

Thiruvananthapuram: Renowned paediatrician Dr. Malathi Damodaran, daughter of Kerala’s first Chief Minister and legendary Communist leader EMS Namboodiripad, passed away on Saturday at the age of 87. She breathed her last peacefully at her residence on Sasthamangalam Lane in Thiruvananthapuram, following age-related health complications.  

Dr. Malathi was widely known for her contributions to paediatrics and was also remembered as the daughter of E.M.S. Namboodiripad — Kerala’s first democratically elected Communist Chief Minister and the head of the world’s first democratically elected Communist government.

A respected figure in the medical and public health communities, Dr Malathi began her career at the prestigious Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, where she served as a paediatrician. After her retirement, she continued her service to society by working at Sri Ramakrishna Charitable Hospital in Sasthamangalam.

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Her death was deeply mourned by political and public figures across the state. CPM Central Committee member M.A. Baby extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a condolence message, said Malathi held fast to her father’s principles. Her life reflected EMS’s view that women should not be known by their husband’s or father’s identity, reports the Hindu.

She is survived by her children—Prof Sumangala, based in Delhi, and Harish Damodaran, a journalist with the Indian Express, Delhi. Her siblings are E M Radha, E M Sreedharan (late), and E M Sasi (late), reports Mathrubhumi.

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Dr Malathi was known not only for her professional contributions but also for her role as a public health activist. She left a lasting mark on the field of paediatrics and was admired for her clarity on social and political issues.