My Tribute to a
Great Teacher - Dr R.S Thanabalasunderum
By Nihal D
Amerasekera
I started Clinical work at the
General Hospital Colombo in 1964. Now on looking back I realise I was
immensely fortunate to belong to a generation taught by a plethora of superbly
dedicated and gifted teachers. Although they lead busy lives with a thriving
private practice they never failed to give their all to the students. I am
greatly indebted to many of them for their dedication and commitment. In that
firmament of shining stars Dr Thanabalasunderum shone the brightest.
My first clinical appointment as a
medical student in Colombo was with Dr Thanabalasunderum. Then he was at the
zenith of his profession and remained as one of the best teachers of clinical
medicine in the country. He was a brilliant professional and a consummate
physician. Dr.T took teaching seriously and introduced a system and structure
into history taking. He brought logic into our clinical methods,
diagnosis and treatment. When presenting cases nothing incorrect went
past his sharp intellect. He always tested and challenged the student’s narrative. The little book of
Clinical Methods by Hutchison and Hunter held more reverence than the Bible.
His pearls of wisdom filled our notebooks.
Dr R S Thanabalasundrum was
focused and thorough in everything he did. He made certain we learnt medicine
whether we liked it or not. He didn’t mince his words and was a strict
disciplinarian. Although stern he had the welfare of the students at
heart and respected their dignity. To his patients he showed great kindness and
empathy. His bedside manner was immaculate and impressive. He was a man of
great decency who brought integrity to the profession. Although he enjoyed a
lucrative private practice he never neglected his duties to his students and
patients in his non fee paying wards.
Dr Rajadurai Selliah Thanabalasunderum
was born in Kokuvil in 1922. His father was a doctor. After a stint in
the local primary school he entered Royal College Colombo where he had a
glittering academic career. He was drawn into the profession of his father and
Joined the Colombo Medical College. Dr Thanabalasunderum lived in the
Brodie hostel. Even in those distant days the Brodie had a notorious reputation
for its pranks. He worked diligently in that environment to obtain first
class honours in all examinations. Achieving the rare feat of
distinctions in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics in the Final MBBS in 1946 was
the icing on the cake. After obtaining his MD in 1954 and MRCP (Lond) he
returned to become the Visiting Physician in Jaffna. He was appointed
Consultant Physician to the General Hospital Colombo in 1956. In that same year
he was married to Pamathy Sivagnanasundrum. They have two daughters and a son.
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal
College of Physicians in 1974. As a physician his interests were wide ranging.
His gentle approach to patients and their problems led to his being much in
demand as a consultant. He was our family physician and provided
healthcare for 3 generations of my family. We were then at the receiving end of
his kindness and first rate clinical care.
Dr R S Thanabalasundrum was an
excellent tutor and treated his ward staff and doctors with courtesy and
kindness. He made time to train his junior doctors who went on to good
consultant posts in various parts of the world. His patients had enormous
respect and affection for him. His straightforward manner and integrity made
him a reliable and loyal colleague.
After retirement from the GHC he
continued with his private practice in Colombo for many years until he became
the Professor of Medicine of the North Colombo Medical College in 1985.
There he remained until 1995. As Professor he was greatly respected as an
exceptional lecturer and good colleague. In recognition of his long years of
service to the nation the Government bestowed on him the honour of Deshabandu
in 1998.
Despite his stern outward appearance
he showed tremendous humanity and warmth to those who came to know him. He
could be disconcertingly candid. Dr R S Thanabalasundrum will be long
remembered as a brilliant teacher, a superb clinician and a kind and generous
doctor with good old-school values.
In his final illness he was treated
by Dr H.H.R Samarasinghe. The anecdotes suggest he still had the interest in
his profession, to be aroused by clinical problems of the day. His talents were
great and his professional achievements many. The mark that he has left in the
memory of his students, family and friends is his warmth, dedication and
generosity of spirit.
All through the political upheavals
and the grim era of ethnic tensions, his love for the country of his birth
sustained him and never wavered. He continued to live at Horton Place Colombo 7
until his death in November 2007. His remains were cremated with Hindu rites at
the General Cemetery Kanatte. The likes of him are a rarity and irreplaceable,
in this selfish and egotistical world.
His name will be etched in the Hall
of Fame of Medical greats in Sri Lanka, to be remembered for all time.
May he find Eternal Peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment