Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jan 26: Dr K M Cherian, one of India's foremost cardiac surgeons, passed away in Bengaluru on Saturday, January 25. His death comes just days after the virtual launch of his biography "Just an Instrument" at the Kerala Literary Fest.
Born on March 8, 1942, Dr Cherian's illustrious career spanned over five decades. He is renowned for performing India’s first coronary bypass surgery and achieving numerous pioneering feats in the field of cardiology.
Dr Cherian made history with India’s first heart-lung transplant and the second cardiac transplant. He was also a trailblazer in paediatric cardiac surgery, an area not traditionally associated with cardiac specialists. His contributions to the medical field also included establishing Frontier Lifeline Hospital in Chennai, as well as Frontier Mediville, a major medical science park focused on advancing indigenous cardiac valve technologies.
Dr Cherian’s sudden passing occurred while attending a wedding in Bengaluru, where he tragically collapsed.
During the Kerala Literary Fest, where his biography was launched, Dr Cherian reflected on his vast experiences, noting that every surgeon should treat their patient as a member of their own family. He shared powerful anecdotes, including how he performed heart surgeries on 20 Iraqi children and played a key diplomatic role in securing the release of four Indian drivers imprisoned in Iraq. He also spoke of his close association with Mother Teresa, who had requested his help to perform surgery on a poor boy in Kolkata at minimal costs.
A graduate of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Dr Cherian furthered his studies in Australia and New Zealand before returning to India to serve the people. Though he received offers from overseas, he chose to dedicate his skills and expertise to India. Throughout his career, Dr Cherian was also appointed as the honorary cardiac surgeon to the President of India and provided treatment to numerous international patients.
Dr Cherian’s passing is a great loss to the medical community and to India, where his contributions to the field of cardiac surgery are immeasurable.