KOCHI: Dr John K Vettath, 97, a leading cardio-thoracic surgeon and general surgeon who did Kerala's first heart surgery in the 1960s, passed away on Tuesday.
A native of Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam, Dr Vettath served at CMC Ludhiana, MGDM Hospital, Kangazha, Medical Mission Hospital, Kolenchery, and Lourdes Hospital, Kochi, before retiring at the age of 70.
He had retired "from surgery, not from life" after spending 46 years caring for the sick.
He was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association of Surgeons of India for his outstanding contribution in the field of surgery.
After completing post-graduation from CMC, Vellore, as demonstrator in anatomy, Dr Vettath went to CMC, Ludhiana. Dr Vettath was selected for a fellowship in Cardiovascular Surgery in Portland, Oregon, USA, under Dr Albert Starr, the pioneer in artificial cardiac valves. He returned to Ludhiana to become the head of the new department of Cardio Thoracic Surgery. In 1967, he returned to Kerala and began work in two rural mission hospitals -- MGDM at Kangazha and MMM Hospital, Kolencherry.
Dr Vettath is survived by wife Dr Naomi J Vettath, a leading ophthalmologist, children Dr Mary Varghese, Ann Kurien, Mathew Vettath and Susan Koshy, sons-in-law Dr Kiron Varghese, Kurien Abraham, Koshy Oommen and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Mathew.
The funeral service will begin at his residence (Vettath, Azad Road, Kaloor) at 9 am on Wednesday. The body will be laid to rest at the cemetery (Eloor) of the St George Orthodox Valiyapally, Palarivattom, after prayers at the church at 10 am.