NDA Journal 2021

InMemory of Dr Bibek B Pradhan (1936 – 2021) Bibek was born in 1936 in Marutole, Kathmandu. Both of us lived there till we finished our intermediate science in Trichandra College, Kathmandu. Since then, we see each other every year during our summer break from medical colleges. He came to the UK in 1962. I came over shortly after in 1963. We used to see each other every now and then. After his Membership in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, he went back to Nepal. Being the first male Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, he was posted to Prasuti Griha and Bir Hospital. Unfortunately, one of his first patients happened to be a Princess in Prasuti Griha. The Royal Family did not approve of a male doctor practicing in Prasuti Griha. So, he was transferred to Bir Hospital full-time. Being a male doctor in a woman’s specialty was difficult to contend with in Kathmandu. So, he came back to the UK to join General Practice and spent his spare time in the Rotary Club of Mansfield. Later, when he had to retire due to ill health, his love for Nepal did not suffer. During remissions from illness, he switched his energy to go to Nepal and he started Cancer Screening and Treatment Centre in Bhadgoan. It was named Smriti Bhaban in memory of his mother who died of cancer of the uterus. He spent a few years going back and forth to Kathmandu to finish the work he started. He raised funds to finish the Smriti Bhaban which was later named Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital. For this project to come together, he went to Canada and worked hard to get the Award of $400, 000 in 1996 from the Rotary International as well as £42,000 from Mansfield Rotary Club. For his hard work, he was awarded “service above self”, which is the highest honour one can get from Rotary International. Now it was the first non-profit charity hospital in Nepal run by the Board of Volunteers represented by NCRS Rotarians, Ministry of Health and the people of Bhaktapur. Recently, due to ill health, he was confined to bed, but his spirit never waned. I have known him through thick and thin throughout his life, even to his last days. He died peacefully with his wife and his daughter, Sarah beside him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends forever. Rest In Peace - By Dr Panna Nepali NDA UK JOURNAL, JULY 2021