Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 20 (PTI) Renowned cardiologist and Padma Shri awardee Dr G Vijayaraghavan died here on Sunday, his relatives said. He was 84.
Vijayaraghavan was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments, relatives said.
He was the vice-chairman of KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
A native of Perumpuzha in Kollam, Vijayaraghavan completed his MBBS from Thiruvananthapuram Medical College in 1964 and MD in General Medicine in 1969.
He later obtained his doctorate in cardiology from Christian Medical College, Vellore, where his research focused on endomyocardial fibrosis.
He conducted research at the University of California and authored several books on cardiology.
Vijayaraghavan received honorary fellowships from several prominent institutions and associations across the world, relatives said.
He and his team established the first 2D echocardiography laboratory at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2009.
The final rites will be held on September 22, relatives said.
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan condoled the death of Dr Vijayaraghavan.
In a statement, Satheesan said Vijayaraghavan was not just a medical expert but a “guardian of the heart” who had given solace and hope to thousands of patients.
He said Vijayaraghavan had the ability to recognise patients’ heartbeats even without the aid of a stethoscope and described his healing touch as one marked by compassion and divinity.
Satheesan expressed solidarity with Vijayaraghavan’s bereaved family members and friends.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the demise of Dr Vijayaraghavan was an irreparable loss to the healthcare sector.
In a Facebook post, Muraleedharan said Vijayaraghavan’s services in the government and private sectors had helped several heart patients return to normal life.
He said Vijayaraghavan had made notable contributions as the head of the Department of Cardiology and professor at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College and as vice-chairman of KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
Muraleedharan said Vijayaraghavan was among the leading experts who introduced 2D echocardiography in India for the first time in the late 1970s and used the technology to diagnose heart diseases.
His contributions to the medical field would remain a guiding light for Keralam’s healthcare sector, the minister said. PTI TBA SSK
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