Chandigarh : Dr. Iqbal Chand Pathak, former Director, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Professor Emeritus and founder chairman of Department of Pediatric Surgery of PGI has passed away on 21.3.2023.
He was born in a small village of Punjab on 7th April 1925. After his graduation from Medical College Amritsar, he received higher training in Pediatric Surgery from Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London. He joined PGIMER, Chandigarh as Assistant Professor in Surgery in 1962 and subsequently, established an independent Pediatric Surgery department in June 1968, one of the earliest in the Northwest part of India. Dr Pathak was appointed as the Director of PGIMER, Chandigarh in 1981, a post, he held till his retirement in 1985. He was the Honorary surgeon to the President of India from 1983-85. He received senior commonwealth fellowship, England and Fellowship of National Academy of Medical sciences in 1975. He was recipient of many awards, honours, orations as well as fellowships and continued to receive accolades well after his retirement including the R.K.Gandhi gold medal award in 2006.
He was President of the Association of Pediatric Surgeons of India from 1977-78.
He was elected as Chairman and Managing trustee of the TTV Chuttani Charitable trust in 1996. Even at the age of 97, he continued to work happily from nine to two, six days a week looking after the trust and its hospital, providing consultations to patients and sharing his extensive expertise in helping others.
He was a music lover and an avid collector of vocal and instrumental albums. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law who are also successful medical professionals.
With his passing away, Pediatric Surgery fraternity in India has lost a charismatic teacher, pioneer, and a mentor.
In his memory, a condolence meeting was held at PGIMER on 21.3.2023.