Manipal: Dr M S Valiathan, renowned cardiac surgeon and the founder of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) passed away at the age of 90 years in Manipal. Dr Valiathan, former president of the Indian National Science Academy and National Research Professor is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
MAHE extends heartfelt condolences for the loss of Prof. M.S. Valiathan, a distinguished cardiac surgeon and academic, who passed away on July 17, 2024.
Born in 1934 in Kerala, Dr Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan brought revolutionary changes in the medical field in the country since his return to Kerala under the direction of former Kerala chief minister C Achuthamenon in 1972. Dr Valiathan was an alumnus of the first batch of Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, after which he attended the University of Liverpool. In 1960, he was awarded a fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and England. He has also worked at multiple hospitals in the US and India. Dr. Valiathan was also the first Vice-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education and was awarded Padma Shri in 2002 and Padma Vibhushan in 2005 for his contributions to healthcare.