M. S. Valiathan

{{Infobox person

| name = M. S. Valiathan

| birth_name = Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan

| image = Dr.M.S.Valiathan.jpg

| caption = Valiathan in 2006

| native_name_lang = Malayalam

| birth_date = {{birth date|1934|5|24|df=y}}

| birth_place = Mavelikara, Travancore, India

| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|7|17|1934|5|24|df=y}}

| death_place = Manipal, Karnataka, India

| alma_mater = University of Kerala
University of Liverpool
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

| occupation = Cardio-thoracic surgeon

| spouse = Ashima

| children = 2

}}

Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan (24 May 1934 – 17 July 2024) was an Indian cardiac surgeon. He was a president of the Indian National Science Academy and a National Research Professor of the Government of India.{{Cite journal|last=Joshi|first=Kalpana|date=2012|title=Insights into Ayurvedic biology—sA conversation with Professor M.S. Valiathan|journal=Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine|volume=3|issue=4|pages=226–229|doi=10.4103/0975-9476.104450|issn=0975-9476|pmc=3545245|pmid=23326096 |doi-access=free }}{{Cite journal |last=Valiathan |first=MS |year=2008 |journal=J Biosci |volume=33 |issue=–000 |title=A Surgeon's Quest|pages=313–326 |doi=10.1007/s12038-008-0050-7 |pmid=19005230 |s2cid=43804903 }}

Valiathan was awarded the Padma Vibushan in 2005 for his contributions to health technology in India. He was made a Chevalier in the Ordre des Palmes académiques, an honour bestowed by France, in 1999. He received the Dr. Samuel P. Asper International Award from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2009 for his contributions to international medical education.{{cite web |last1=Khakhar |first1=Prof. Devang |title=DIRECTOR'S REPORT, IIT MUMBAI |url=http://www.cdeep.iitb.ac.in/convocation/speech/DIR-REPORT2011Session-I.pdf |website=deep.iitb.ac.in |access-date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=15 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615014712/https://www.cdeep.iitb.ac.in/convocation/speech/DIR-REPORT2011Session-I.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Early life and education

He was born on 24 May 1934 at Mavelikkara, Travancore (in present-day Alappuzha district),{{cite news |title=Renowned cardiac surgeon Dr M S Valiathan passes away |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/renowned-cardiac-surgeon-dr-m-s-valiathan-passes-away-1503321890.html |access-date=20 July 2024 |work=The Statesman |date=18 July 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |author1=Harsha |title=Eminent cardiac surgeon and MAHE's first Vice-Chancellor Dr M S Valiathan passes away |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/eminent-cardiac-surgeon-dr-m-s-valiathan-passes-away-3110240 |access-date=20 July 2024 |work=Deccan Herald |date=18 July 2024 |language=en}} to Marthanda Varma and Janaki Varma. His early education was at a government school in Mavelikkara, followed by the University College, Thiruvananthapuram. Valiathan's medical education took place at the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, where he obtained his MBBS (1951–56).{{Cite web|last=doctor.ndtv.com|title=Cardiac Surgery|url=https://doctor.ndtv.com/expert/dr-ms-valiathan-20|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Doctor.ndtv.com}} He later went to the University of Liverpool as a surgical trainee and received his fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and England in 1960 and master's degree in surgery from the University of Liverpool. After a brief stint as a faculty member at the PGIMER Chandigarh, he underwent further training in cardiac surgery at the Johns Hopkins, George Washington, and Georgetown University Hospitals and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 1970. He worked as a Fellow of Doctors Vincent L. Gott at the Hopkins and Charles A. Hufnagel at the Georgetown University.{{Cite web |title=Every Morning Brings a Noble Chance- An interview with Dr. M.S. Valiathan |url=https://www.agappe.com/swiss_en/blog-details/every-morning-brings-a-noble-chance-an-interview-with-dr-m-s-valiathan.html |access-date=18 July 2024 |website=www.agappe.com |language=en}} File:Picture of Dr Charles Hufnagel and Prof. M. S. Valiathan.jpg

Academic career

Valiathan served on the faculty of the Georgetown University Hospital,{{cite web |url=http://archive.nmji.in/approval/archive/Volume-8/issue-2/eminent-indians-in-medicine.pdf |title=Eminent Indians in Medicine |access-date=15 June 2021}} PGIMER,{{cite news |title=Birth centenary of PGI co-founder observed {{!}} Chandigarh News – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/birth-centenary-of-pgi-co-founder-observed/articleshow/5207989.cms |access-date=15 June 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=8 November 2009 |language=en}} IIT Madras and as director of SCTIMST.{{cite web|title=Former Directors|url=https://www.sctimst.ac.in/About%20SCTIMST/Former%20Directors/|publisher=SCTIMST|access-date=24 January 2018}} Subsequently, Valiathan became the first Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University in 1994.

=Chitra valve development=

In the first model, the major and minor struts were electron-beam welded and the valve was expected to withstand 360 million cycles of disc movement. Unfortunately, the major strut fractured at the weld after a mere 100,000 cycles due to weld embrittlement. In the second model, the disk was made of single crystal of sapphire which was inert and blood-compatible. The housing was carved out of a block of titanium. This model failed as well because of extensive wear of titanium struts and the escape of the disc. The third model had a housing made of a highly wear-resistant superalloy, "Haynes-25", a cobalt-based alloy of chromium, nickel and tungsten. This model went through all the tests successfully and several sheep with the implanted valve were alive and well for months until the death of one animal at 3 months after valve implantation. Necropsy showed that the sapphire disc had fractured and caused the death of the animal. This was a major setback in the quest for a cheap, locally made heart valve.{{Cite news |last=Raj |first=N. Gopal |date=23 December 2009 |title=Indigenous heart valve makes a difference |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Indigenous-heart-valve-makes-a-difference/article16855006.ece |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}{{Cite journal |last=Valiathan |first=Marthanda Varma Sankaran |date=5 March 2018 |title=Frugal innovation in cardiac surgery |journal=Indian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=439–448 |doi=10.1007/s12055-018-0652-0 |issn=0970-9134 |pmc=7525930 |pmid=33060913}}File:Cartoons 2.jpg However the fourth model was a success and more than 100,000 valves have been implanted in patients (until 2016).The multidisciplinary team at the Sree Chitra Institute led by Valiathan also developed a vascular graft and a series of disposable devices such as blood bags, oxygenators and cardiotomy reservoirs, which are in commercial production in industrial units in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.{{Cite journal |last=Yadugiri |first=VT |journal=Current Science |volume=99 |issue=7 |year=2010 |title=The evolution of a surgeon and innovator: M.S.Valiathan}}

=Vice Chancellor=

After about twenty years at Sri Chitra, Valiathan became the vice-chancellor of the newly set up Manipal University (then MAHE, Manipal Academy of Higher Education). He held this office until 1999.{{Cite web |last=Chellappan |first=Kumar |date=19 July 2024 |title=Noted cardio surgeon Valiathan passes away |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2024/india/noted-cardio-surgeon-valiathan-passes-away.html |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=The Pioneer |language=en}}

=Books on Ayurvedia pioneers=

In the year 1999, he was awarded a Senior Fellowship by the Homi Bhabha Council{{Cite web |title=List of Senior Awardees |url=http://homibhabhafellowships.com/SeniorAwardList.aspx |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=homibhabhafellowships.com}} to pursue a study of Caraka, which culminated in the publication of the book "The Legacy of Caraka".{{Cite book |last=Valiathan |first=M. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ocOktxn-u28C |title=The Legacy of Caraka |date=2003 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-2505-4 |language=en}} Later on, as a National Research Professor, he carried out a study of Sushruta and Vagbhata and completed the series of Legacy volumes on the 'Great Three' of Ayurveda'.{{Cite web |last=Balaji M |first=Potbhare |title=A HISTORICAL APPROACH FOR UNDERSTANDING AYURVEDA |url=https://ijapr.in/index.php/ijapr/article/download/312/326 |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research |type=PDF}}{{cite web |title=Valiathan, M. S. |url=http://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n94041310/ |website=worldcat.org |access-date=15 June 2021}}

In an interview, Valiathan had observed, "At this time there is no common ground where physicists, chemists, immunologists and molecular biologists can interact with Ayurvedic physicians. Ayurveda is not only the mother of medicine but also of all life sciences in India. In spite of it, science has been completely divorced from Ayurveda... But these are the interdisciplinary areas where advances will take place". Earlier in another article, he had written, "To ignore the testimony of thousands of patients over many decades is reminiscent of the derisive attitude of Edward Jenner's contemporaries in Gloucestershire who despised the claim of milkmaids that cow pox gave them protection from small pox! When Jenner wrote to his mentor John Hunter on the observed facts and the arguments against it, Hunter gave his reply, "Why think? Why not experiment?". That applies to Ayurveda whose time to experiment has arrived.{{Cite journal |last=Valiathan |first=MS |editor-last=Thatte |editor-first=U |journal=Int J Ayurveda Res |year=2010 |volume=1 |issue=1 |page=3 |title=Ayurveda: The time to experiment|doi=10.4103/0974-7788.59935 |pmid=20532089 |pmc=2876927 |doi-access=free }}

=Research in basic sciences=

Based on ideas and practices from Ayurveda, Valiathan promoted study in the basic sciences. The government is financing in "A Science Initiative in Ayurveda" (ASIIA) for research at eminent institutes.{{Cite web |last=Holla |first=Anand |date=6 April 2016 |title=Noted Indian cardiac surgeon speaks at Shastrayaan 2016 inauguration |url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/487624/noted-indian-cardiac-surgeon-speaks-at-shastrayaan-2016-inauguration |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=Gulf Times |language=en}} In his report, during the seventeenth meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SAC-C) in 2009, under the Chairmanship of R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Valiathan lauded the support of the Indian government while presenting an update on ongoing projects.{{Cite web |title=Summary Record of Discussion of the Seventeenth Meeting of Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet (SAC-C) held on 22 April 2009, at New Delhi |url=http://psa.gov.in/SACC_17meeting.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001104926/http://psa.gov.in/SACC_17meeting.pdf |archive-date=1 October 2011 }} ASIIA made good progress and has been taken over by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, for sustained support under a "Task Force in Ayurvedic Biology", which appears on the SERB website. He also gave a course of video lectures on The Ayurvedic Inheritance of India under the NPTEL programme of the IITs of India.{{Cite web|date=28 October 2015|title=NPTEL|url=http://nptel.iitm.ac.in/|access-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028200338/http://nptel.iitm.ac.in/|archive-date=28 October 2015}} These lectures provided the material for his book Ayurvedic Inheritance; A Reader's Companion published by Manipal University Press in 2017.{{cite journal |last1=B. |first1=Barapatre Nishant |last2=P. |first2=Joglekar Vishnu |title=Ayurvedic inheritance – a reader's companion |journal=Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine |pages=276–278 |doi=10.1016/j.jaim.2017.09.004 |date=2017|volume=8 |issue=4 |pmc=5747513 }}{{cite book |last1=Valiathan |first1=M. S. |title=Ayurvedic Inheritance: A Reader's Companion, published by Manipal Universal Press |date=1 May 2017 |publisher=Manipal Universal Press |isbn=978-93-82460-58-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XObmDwAAQBAJ |access-date=15 June 2021 |language=en}}

Death

Valiathan died at a hospital in Manipal, India on 17 July 2024, at the age of 90.{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-cm-pinarayi-vijayan-condoles-death-of-renowned-cardiac-surgeon-valiathan/article68416708.ece|title=Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan condoles death of renowned cardiac surgeon Valiathan|work=The Hindu|accessdate=18 July 2024|date=18 July 2024}}

Awards and honours

Valiathan's contributions to medical sciences and technology brought him many honours and awards such as the Fellowships of the IAS, INSA New Delhi, NAS India, NAMS, INAE, The World Academy of Sciences, American College of Cardiology, the Royal College of Physicians of London and the International Union of Societies of Biomaterials and Engineering. He was a "Hunterian Professor" of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and a Senior Member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons of the United States and the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain. The French Government honoured him by making him a Chevalier in the order of Palmes Académiques.{{Cite web|title=INSA :: Indian Fellow Detail|url=https://www.insaindia.res.in/detail.php?id=N84-0859|access-date=15 June 2021|website=insaindia.res.in}} He was a recipient of many Awards for Science, Technology and Education, which include the R.D. Birla Award, O.P. Bhasin Award, Jawaharlal Nehru Award, Dhanwantari Prize, Aryabhata medal, Basanti Devi Amirchand Prize, J.C. Bose medal, Kerala State Science and Technology Award, B.C. Guha Award, Pinnamaneni Foundation Award, Sat Pal Mittal Award, G.M. Modi Award, M. V. Pylee Award, H.K. Firodia Award and the Sastra Puraskaram of the Kerala Government.{{Cite web|last=Prasanna|first=Laxmi Ajai|date=11 October 2013|title=Dr M S Valiathan has been chosen for this year's prestigious Kerala Sasthra Puraskaram.|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/renowned-medical-scientist-and-cardiac-surgeon-dr-m-s-valiathan-has-been-chosen-for-this-yearrsquos-prestigious-kerala-sasthra-puraskaram-given-by-the-state-government-to-honour-the-outstanding-scientists-of-kerala-he-was-selected-unanimously-by-a-seven-member-jury-headed-by-dr-r-chidambaram-former-chairman-of-atomic-energy-commission-and-currently-chairman-of-scientific-advisory-committee-to-the-centre-/articleshow/23988067.cms|access-date=15 June 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}} He received the Dr. Samuel P. Asper International Award from the Johns Hopkins University for his contributions to medical education. File:Dr M. S. Valiathan.jpegThe SASTRA-Mahamana Award in recognition for his contributions to Indian Knowledge Systems was presented on 28 February 2023 as part of SASTRA National Science Day Awards.{{Cite web |last=Association |first=SASTRA Alumni |title=National Science Day – AWARDS – Newsroom – SASTRA Alumni Network |url=https://alumni.sastra.edu/newsroom/news/National-Science-Day---AWARDS |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=alumni.sastra.edu |language=en}}

Valiathan served on numerous Government committees and academic councils which pertain to education, medicine, science and technology. These include, among many others, the University Grants Commission,{{cite web |title=UGC Annual Report 1997-1998 |url=http://14.139.60.153/bitstream/123456789/871/1/UGC-Annual%20Report%201997-98_D-10765.pdf |website=N.I.E.P.A |access-date=15 June 2021}} Indian Council of Medical Research,{{cite web |title=XII PLAN DOCUMENT (2012–2017) |url=https://dhr.gov.in/sites/default/files/ICMR-12Plan-2012-2017_1_0.pdf |website=dhr.gov.in/ |access-date=15 June 2021}} Science and Engineering Research Council of the DST,{{cite web |title=Report of The Steering Committee on Science and Technology for Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007–12) |url=http://www.dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/rep-s-t.pdf |website=dst.gov.in |access-date=15 June 2021}} Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and the Science Advisory Committee to the Cabinet.{{cite web |title=Atomic Energy Regulatory Board ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002 |url=https://media.nti.org/pdfs/28_6.pdf |website=nti.org |access-date=15 June 2021}} He was the Chairman of the Committee on Bioethics of the Indian Council of Medical Research and was previously the Chairman of the State Committee for Science, Technology and Environment of the Government of Kerala. He was a past President of the Association of Indian Universities.{{Cite web |title=PRESIDENT |url=https://www.aiu.ac.in/PRESIDENT.php |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=aiu.ac.in}}

Valiathan received numerous honorary degrees, fellowships and awards:

Honorary Fellow, Kerala Academy of Sciences{{Cite web|title=Dr. M.S. Valiathan|url=https://kas.org.in/indexphp/membership/honorary-fellows1398.html?id=87|access-date=22 December 2021|website=kas.org.in}}
Padma Vibhushan in 2005.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/26/stories/2005012609050100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207104016/http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/26/stories/2005012609050100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 February 2005 |title=Padma Vibhushan for J.N. Dixit, R*K. Laxman |access-date=17 July 2007 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=26 January 2006}}
Padma Bhushan in 1990{{cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |title=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |date=2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf |archive-date=15 October 2015 }}
JNTBGRI, Trivandrum named a new hybrid in their Orchid Breeding Programme Paphiopedilum M S Valiathan in his honour. Paphiopedilum M S Valiathan is registered with the International Register of Orchid Hybrids ( Sander's list ) 114:1270 ( July — Aug 2006){{Cite news |date=22 February 2014 |title=Orchid to be named after M. S. Valiathan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/orchid-to-be-named-after-m-s-valiathan/article5713893.ece |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}
A new R & D facility named M S Valiathan Medical Devices Engineering Block was inaugurated by Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan at the Sree Chitra Institute, Trivandrum on 16 May 2015{{cite news |title=Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan unveils TiMED, e-payment at Chitra |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150517/nation-current-affairs/article/union-minister-dr-harsh-vardhan-unveils-timed-e-payment-chitra |access-date=15 June 2021 |work=Deccan Chronicle |agency=Deccan Chronicle |date=17 May 2015 |language=en}}

Bibliography

{{cite journal |last=Valiathan |first=M. S.|title=Endomyocardial Fibrosis |journal=The National Medical Journal of India|year= 1993|volume=6|issue=5|pages=212–216|publisher= Oxford University Press|pmid=7694719}}
{{cite book |last=Valiathan |first=M. S.|title=The Legacy of Caraka |year= 2003|publisher= Orient Longman|isbn=81-250-2505-7}}
{{cite book |last=Valiathan |first=M. S.|title=Charakapaithrikam. (Tr. into Malayalam of Legacy of Caraka)|year= 2005|publisher= DC Books|isbn= 81-264-1072-8}}
{{cite book |last=Valiathan |first=M. S.|title=The Legacy of Susruta (Tr. into Malayalam of Legacy of Susruta by Dr. K. Muthulakshmy)|year= 2007|publisher= Orient Longman|isbn=978-81-250-3150-5}}
{{cite book |last=Valiathan |first=M. S.|title=Susrutha Paithrukam.(Tr. into Malayalam of Legacy of Susruta) |year= 2010|publisher= DC Books|isbn=978-81-264-2527-3}}
{{cite book |last=Valiathan |first=M. S.|title=The Legacy of Vagbhata |year= 2010|publisher= Universities Press|isbn=978-81-737-1668-3}}
{{cite book |last=Valiathan |first=M. S.|title=An Introduction to Ayurveda |year= 2012|publisher= Universities Press|isbn=978-81-7371-827-4}}
Valiathan, M. S. (2012) Vagbhata Paithrukam. (Tr. into Malayalam of Legacy of Vagbhata). DC Books. {{ISBN|978-81-264-3890-7}}, {{OL|41448298M}}
Valiathan, M. S. (2017) Ayurvedic Inheritance-A Reader's Companion. Manipal University Press. {{ISBN|978-93-82460-58-9}}