Amrita Hospital Oncologist Dr K Pavithran passes away at 63
Dr. K. Pavithran
Kochi: In a tragic loss to the medical fraternity, Dr. K. Pavithran, Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Oncology at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, passed away while undergoing treatment for an abdominal-related ailment. He was 63.
Even during his illness, Dr. Pavithran continued to devote time to his patients. He served Amrita Hospital for over two decades, becoming a pillar of its oncology services. Over a distinguished career spanning more than 34 years, he earned recognition as one of India’s most respected voices in medical oncology and haematology.
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His academic journey began at Calicut Medical College, where he completed his MBBS and MD in Internal Medicine. He later pursued a DM in Medical Oncology from the prestigious Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru. His quest for knowledge took him beyond India, with advanced training in haematology at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, UK, and experience in bone marrow transplantation at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, USA.
Dr. Pavithran accumulated more than 34 years of experience in hematology and over 26 years in treating solid tumours. His areas of expertise included breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, gynaecological cancers, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. He was also actively involved in pediatric hematology and oncology, as well as bone marrow transplantation.
Beyond clinical practice, he was a passionate teacher and a researcher. He authored over 300 scientific papers, contributed to 35 book chapters, and edited two books on cancer. His work was presented at numerous national and international conferences.
He earned several prestigious honours, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology in 2023, the Cochin Oncology Group Lifetime Achievement Award, and fellowships from esteemed institutions such as the Royal College of Physicians, London, the Indian College of Physicians, and the World Federation of Hemophilia.
At the public darshan held at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Mata Amritanandamayi Math General Secretary Swami Poornamritananda Puri led the prayer ceremonies. Amrita Hospitals Group Medical Director Dr. Prem Nair offered a wreath. He said that the demise of Dr. Pavithran is an irreparable loss to the medical world, especially Amrita Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, who serves as the Head of the Pathology department at the same institution, along with their children.
The funeral is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the public crematorium in Edappally. Family members, friends, colleagues, and members of the medical fraternity are expected to gather to pay their final respects.
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