Obituary - Dr. Lakshmi Narayan Prasad

[Angel]

NMA Obituary - Dr. Lakshmi Narayan Prasad on March 15, 2008.




Dr. Lakshmi Narayan Prasad was born on September 23, 1927 in Sirsia, Gaur Nagar Palika, Rautahat. He did his MBBS from Patna University in 1952, DLO (London) - 1958, DO (London) - 1959, FICS - Fellow of the International College of Surgeons - 1965, FACS - Fellow of the American College of Surgeons - 1968, Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (London) - 1987.


Dr. Lakashmi Narayan Prasad was involved in various social works

1. As chairman of IMPACT Nepal since 1993 has have been able to conduct several programmes for prevention of disability in different places in Nepal. Programmes undertaken are:
   1. Reduction of malnutrition by providing micronutrients and encouraging kitchen/home gardening,
   2. Safe Motherhood and Child Health Programme to reduce maternal and child mortality rate,
   3. Reduction of poverty in the family of disabled persons – ten per cent of total families of Sindhuli District have been taken up for this purpose,
   4. Ten mobile surgical camps in rural areas of the country are organized every year to reduce deafness and physical disability,
   5. Has been able to send three teams of ENT surgeons in three consecutive years to Bangladesh for doing mobile ear surgery camps in a floating boat hospital. This has been done as part of regional cooperation
2. First Nepali Eye Doctor to start Mobile Surgical Eye Camp in Nepal – 2018 and for more than 15 years, was the only Nepali doctor doing Eye Relief Camps in rural areas of Nepal. Now approximately 100 eye relief camps are done every year.
3. Started the first School for the Deaf in Nepal in 1966 in Bir Hospital, which was later moved to Balmandir in 1967. Now there are several dozes schools all over the country.
4. Was a member of the International Year of the Disabled Persons 1981 and was convenor of the programme committee. Several important recommendations like - establishment of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Act for the Disabled Persons, starting organization for all types of disabled persons, starting some programmes for all types of disabled persons in all developmental regions were made. All these programmes over implemented within two years.
5. Was Convener of the committee, which did the first Survey of the Disabled Persons in Nepal in 1980.
6. Was involved in establishing several Social Organizations for Disabled Persons and was member of the executive committee in almost all those organizations for several years.
7. Has been a member of almost all the committees formed by the Government for the Welfare services of the disabled persons since 1990. Was vice-chairman or convenor of several committees, several programmes for them were implemented.
8. Received Helen Keller & Anne Sulivan Award from Japan in 1999 for rendering excellent services for blind persons in Asia Pacific Region. This award in given to one person only every year.
9. Was member of the standing committee, Asian Federation of Laryngectomee Association, Japan for one decade. Was able to start Nepal Laryngectomee Association in 1990, this association helps in training laryngectomy persons in producing speech, which was lost after operation.
10. Is member of the Board of Directors of Britain Nepal Otology Service (BRINOS), a charitable trust established in London in 1988. It organises two ear surgery camps in Nepal every year in which ear surgeons from Britain participate and do major ear surgeries in rural areas of Nepal.
11. Publication - the book, "Status of Persons with Disability in Nepal" containing about 250 pages was published in 2003. This is the first book on disability in Nepal. The book was released by the then Prime Minister Rt. Honorable Surya Bahadur Thapa in April 2004.
12. Convenor of the programme committee under National Committee for the International Year of Old People 1999.
13. At his initiative Sajha Swastha Sewa was started and he was in the board of Director for several years. The aim was to reduce price of medicine in Nepal. Before Sajha was started the medicine were sold at a profit of 40% or more. In non-governmental sector medicine is the only item, which is now sold at a fixed price everywhere with minimal profit and 16 per cent profit only.
14. Was instrumental in establishing Royal Drug Ltd., the first drug manufacturing company in Nepal and was a member of the Board of Director for several years. Now there are more than a dozen drug manufacturing company in Nepal.
15. Took initiative to start Drug Administration Department.
16. At his initiative, the Nepal Red Cross Society started Blood Transfusion service in Nepal and was the President of the Blood Transfusion service for 23 years. During this period, blood bank was established – almost in all the hospitals - central level, zonal level and in many of the districts level hospitals. The blood transfusion service in Nepal is the best in this region.
17. Special Education Council for education of disabled persons was established at his initiative in the Ministry of Education in 1973. Was member of the council for about 30 years. Schools for disabled persons have been started in several places throughout the country.
18. Was chairman of the first committee for Post-Graduate Medical Education, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuwan University. Helped start postgraduate education in several subjects.
19. It was his concept that Degree Course in General Practioners (G.P./Family Physician) should be started in Nepal. This course was started in 1982. Was able to negotiate financial and technical support from Calgary University of Canada for this course. This is now a very popular postgraduate medical education programme in Nepal.
20. Was Founder Chairman of Nepal Association for the Welfare of the Blind. Started CBR programme for blind in 1987. It became very popular and now several NGOs have started CBR programmes.
21. Was Convenor of the committee, which prepared the first Long Term Health Plan,
22. 1975 -1990 for the Ministry of Health HMG/N.
23. Was president of
    1. Nepal Medical Association - was able to collect fund for the construction of the first building of the Association.
    2. Nepal Medical Council - was able to get annual financial grant from the Ministry of Finance for the first time. It is still continuing.
    3. Nepal Chapter of International College of Surgeons - arranged the first International Conference in Nepal in which over 500 delegates participated.
24. Was a member of Nepal Children's Organization for 4 years. This has got branches in all the district of the country.
25. Member of Social Welfare Council (SWC) for several years: 1993-1995, 1998-2003. SWC is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare.
26. Has published over 4-dozen articles on social service, disability and health. They were published in Nepal and abroad.
27. Has participated in over twenty World, International and Regional workshop, seminar and conferences and has presented paper in almost all of them and has visited over 30 countries.

Decorations and Awards

1. Subikhyat Trishakti Patta (class II) – 2004 awarded by the Government of Nepal
2. Prasidha Prawal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (class II) – 1985 awarded by the Government of Nepal
3. Helen Keller & Anne Sulivan Award – 1997 by Tokyo Helen Keller Association (THKA) Japan, is awarded to a sighted person from Asia - Pacific Region, for the contributions made to blind person’s self independence in the field of education, social welfare and culture. This award is given in Tokyo.
4. Takeo Iwahashi Prize - 1987 by Nippon Light House, Osaka Japan for excellent services for the welfare of the blind in Asia.
5. Aiswarya Social Service Award, named after Late H.M. Queen Aiswarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah in 2004 was awarded by Social Welfare Council (SWC), Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Government of Nepal.

Political Activities

Member of the Parliament (National Assembly) - 1991 to 1993.

Publication:

1. "Status of Persons with Disability in Nepal" a book containing about 250 pages published in 2003.
2. A Book "Healthy Living" -:j:Yo hLjg_ in nepali, containing about 125 pages published in 2006.

Present Position

1. Founder Chairman, IMPACT Nepal - 1993. The Organisation is involved in prevention of all types of Disabilities in Nepal

Past Position

1. Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon - to His Majesty King - 1968
2. Member, Board of Directors, Britain Nepal Otology Service (BRINOS), a charitable trust established in London - 1988
3. Patron, Nepal Laryngectomee Association - 1993
4. Adviser, Nepal Association for the Welfare of the Blind – 1990
5. Founder Chairman, Nepal Association for the Welfare of the Blind, 1985 - 1990
6. President, Nepal Medical Association, 1969 - 1971
7. President, Nepal Medical Council, 1982 - 1985
8. President, Nepal Chapter of International College of Surgeons, 1976 - 1983
9. Chairman, Bir Hospital Development and Management Board, 1987 - 1988
10. Chairman of the first Committee for Postgraduate Medical Education, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, 1982 - 1986
11. Founder of First School for Deaf in Nepal, and Director, Board of Management, 1966 - 1972
12. President, Blood Transfusion Service, Nepal Red Cross Society, 1972 - 1995
13. Member, Central Executive Committee, Nepal Children's Organisation, 1966 - 1970
14. Founder and member of the Central Executive Committee of Nepal Disabled and Blind Association, 1969 - 1986
15. Member, National Committee for the International Year of Old People 1999, and Convenor of the Programme Sub-Committee
16. Member, Standing Committee, Asian Federation of Laryngectomee Associations, Japan - 1989 - 1999
17. Leader of the Task - Force, which prepared the Long Term Health Plan (1977 - 1992) for the Government of Nepal
18. Started Community Based Rehabilitation Programme for the Disabled Persons for the first time in Nepal - 1986
19. Convenor, First Pilot Survey of Disabled Persons in Nepal, 1980 -1981
20. Head of the Department of Ear, Nose & Throat, Bir Hospital, 1964 - 1990
21. Convenor, Task Force for Prevention and Control of Deafness, Ministry of Health, HMG, Nepal, 1983 - 1990
22. Former Chairman, B P Eye Foundation – 1991.
23. Member, National Coordination Committee for Persons with Disability and Convenor of the Programme Sub-Committee, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare.
24. Chairman, Board of Management of B P Koirala Lions Centre for the Ophthalmic Studies, T.U.Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj.
25. Visiting Professor of ENT, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 1986 - 1994
26. Member, Social Welfare Council, 1993 - 1995, 1998-2003
27. Member, Central Executive Committee, Nepal Red Cross Society, 1978 - 1995, 1999-2003
28. Founder and member of the Board of Directors of Sajha Swastha Sewa, 1963 - 1974
29. Member, Board of Directors of Nepal Drugs Ltd., the first medicine manufacturing company of the government of the Nepal, 1968 - 1974
30. Founder and member of the Central Executive Committee of the Society for the Welfare of the Hearing Impaired, 1984 - 1986
31. Member, National Committee, International Year of the Disabled Persons (IYDP) 1981 and Convenor of Programme Committee
32. Chairman, Joint Nepal-India International College of Surgeons' Congress held in Kathmandu, 1983.
33. President, Organising Committee for the SAARC ENT Conference, 2000
34. Member, Drug Consultative Council, HMG, Nepal 1981 - 1984
35. Member, Central Executive Committee, Nepal Tuberculosis Association (for 4 year)
36. Member Special Education Council, Ministry of Education, Government of Nepal 1973-2003

May the departed soul be rest in peace.

[Mati]

Yes,

This is great LOSS !

A tribute to him.


Best wishes,
mati

[SPRimal]

डा प्रसादको सम्झना

सुरेश्वर लालकर्ण्र्

डा लक्ष्मीनारायण प्रसादको ८० वर्षो उमेरमा निधन भएको खबरले प्रत्यक्ष वा अप्रत्यक्ष रूपमा चिनजान भएकाहरू मर्माहत भएका छन् । म २५ वर्षेखि प्रत्यक्ष रूपमा उहा“स“ग आबद्ध भई आफ्नो क्यारियर बनाउन सफल भए । मलाई नेपालको पहिलो वाक् तथा श्रवण विशेषज्ञ बनाउन उहा“को ठूलो योगदान छ ।

५६ वर्षघि चिकित्सासेवामा प्रवेश गरी ४८ वर्षघि नेपालको प्रथम नाक, कान र घा“टी विशेषज्ञ एवं नेत्र विशेषज्ञका रूपमा उहा“ले सेवा सुरु गर्नुभएको हो । एक मधेसी डाक्टर भई नया“ सेवा सुरु गर्न र त्यसलाई स्थापित, सुव्यवस्थित र बिस्तार गर्न उहा“ स्वयम्ले दुःखकष्ट पाएको सुन्दा मलाई उहा“बारे सधैं आदरभाव जाग्ने गथ्र्यो । उहा“को महानताको त्यो एउटा पक्ष थियो । उहा“ सबैलाई नया“ किसिमको आधुनिक स्वास्थ्यसेवा सुरु गर्न प्रोत्साहित र निःस्वार्थ सहयोग पनि गर्नुहुन्थ्यो ।

डा प्रसाद चिकित्सासेवाको साथै सामाजिक सेवामा रुचि राख्नुहुन्थ्यो । आफू नाक, कान, घा“टी एवं नेत्र विशेषज्ञमात्र भए पनि बहिरा र अन्धाहरू बाहेक अन्य अपाङ्गको पुनःस्थापना र विकास लागि उहा“ तत्पर हुनुहुन्थ्यो । सामाजिक कार्यमा शारीरिक-मानसिक रूपले मात्र नभई आर्थिक रूपले पनि उहा“ सहयोग गर्नुहुन्थ्यो । उदाहरणै दिनुपर्दा बहिरा शिक्षाका लागि चारजना विद्यार्थीबाट पहिलो स्कुलको थालनी, अन्धाअपाङ्ग संघ, अन्धा कल्याण संघ, सुस्त श्रवण कल्याण संस्था, नेपाल ल्यारिङजेक्टोमी संघजस्ता संस्थाको स्थापनामा उहा“को प्रत्यक्ष-अप्रत्यक्ष योगदान हो । राजनीतिबाट टाढा बसे पनि जागिरबाट अवकाशपश्चात राष्ट्रियसभा सदस्यमा उहा“ मनोनीत हुनुभयो ।

उहा“मा सेवा र सहयोगको भावना उहा“का पिता स्व डा द्वारिकाप्रसादबाट विकसित भएको तर्राई क्षेत्रमा कान शिविर सञ्चालन गर्दा एकजना वयोवृद्ध व्यक्तिबाट चाल पाए“ । उहा“ आफूमा भएको संस्कार आफ्ना डाक्टर छोरा, डाक्टर नातिनीसाथै परिवारका सबै सदस्यमा विकसित गराउन सफल हुनुभयो । मेरो व्यक्तिगत विकास र मेरी छोरीहरूको राम्रो शिक्षादीक्षाको सुरुवातमा पनि उहा“को योगदान म बिर्सन सक्दिन ।

रौतहटको सिर्सिया गाउ“मा मिडिल स्कुल नभएकोले दर्ुइ कोस टाढा हि“डेर दिनहु“ उहा“ भारतको बैरगनिया बजार पुग्नुहुन्थ्यो । सन् १९४५ मा सीमावर्ती भारतीय क्षेत्र मोतिहारीबाट हाइस्कुल प्रथम श्रेणीमा उत्तर्ीण्ा भएपछि उहा“ले विज्ञान विषय लिएर शिक्षा अघि बढाउनुभयो । बुबा डा द्वारिकाप्रसाद, दरभंगाबाट एलएमपी गरेको पारिवारिक पृष्ठभूमिले उहा“मा चिकित्सक बन्ने जा“गर चल्यो ।

पटना साइन्स कलेजबाट सन् १९४७ मा प्रथम श्रेणीमा उत्तर्ीण्ा हुनुभयो ।

पटना मेडिकल कलेजमै एमबीबीएसको पढाइ सकेर उहा“ सन् १९५३ मा काठमाडौं आई वीर अस्पतालमा चिकित्सासेवा सुरु गर्नुभयो । बेलायतबाट आ“खा र नाक, कान, घा“टीमा विशेषज्ञता, 'डीओडीएलओ'समेत गर्नुभयो । डा प्रसाद विदेशी मेडिकल जर्नलमा अनुसन्धान प्रकाशित गर्ने पहिलो नेपाली चिकित्सक पनि हुनुहुन्थ्यो । ब्रिटिस जर्नल अफ ओटो ल्यारिङगोलोजीमा १९६३ मा उहा“को हा“डे रोगबारे अनुसन्धानपत्र प्रकाशित भएको थियो । उपत्यकामा हाडे/गलफुलो/मम्पसको महामारी भएको त्यसताका धेरै मान्छे पर्ूण्ारूपमा कान सुन्न नसक्ने भएका थिए । हाडेकै बारे उहा“को विस्तृत अनुसन्धानात्मक लेख प्रकाशित भएपछि यो रोगबाट समेत मान्छे बहिरो हुनसक्ने जानकारी विश्व चिकित्सा जगतलाई भयो । त्यसताकासम्म हाडेबाट पनि बहिरोपन हुनसक्ने विश्वास अन्तर्रर्ााट्रय चिकित्सा क्षेत्रमा उतिसारो थिएन ।

वीर अस्पतालमा आ“खा, नाक, कान, घा“टी विभागका प्रमुखको रूपमा काम गरेका डा प्रसाद सन् १९८७ मा सेवानिवृत्त हुनुभयो । वीर अस्पताल विकास समितिका अध्यक्षसमेत रहेका उहा“ त्रिवि शिक्षण अस्पताल, महाराजगन्जको 'जेनरल प्राक्टिस'मा स्नातकोत्तर कार्यक्रम उहा“कै अध्यक्षतामा सुरु भयो । त्यो कोर्सको अवधारणा ल्याउनेमात्र नभई, कोर्स सुरु उहा“बाटै भएको थियो ।