Obituary

With heavy heart we mourn the demise of Prof. Dr. Neelam Adhikari, who passed away on November 01, 2020, after a short battle with cancer.

Prof. Dr. Neelam joined this institution in its previous incarnation as Shanta Bhavan, in 1979 and continued to serve till 1982, overseeing the institution transform to Patan Hospital in 1982 and finally Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) in 2008. She was the Chief/Chair of the department of Pediatrics for 27 years from 1982 to 2009. She became the founding Rector of PAHS in 2009 and served in the capacity till she resigned from active service from PAHS in 2011.

Prof. Dr. Neelam was a very caring pediatrician. Her simplicity, honesty, dedication, ethical practice and rational prescribing were exemplary. A lot of what the department of Pediatrics is today is due to her tireless efforts. The establishment of a separate Pediatric block in 2001, initiation of Pediatric research in collaboration with Oxford University in 2005 and starting of NICU/PICU in 2009 are her major contributions.

Prof. Dr. Neelam was a very enthusiastic teacher. Her appetite for academic discourse, pursuit of knowledge and evidence based medicine was remarkable. She was an avowed reader and encouraged her colleagues and students to be life-long learner themselves. Even after formally resigning from the position, she served PAHS as a visiting Professor to guide mainly the postgraduate students and was a regular attendee of weekly grand rounds at PAHS auditorium. Her discussion and remarks in such meetings were listened to with a lot of appreciation and attention.

Prof. Dr. Neelam will be fondly remembered as a mentor and a mother-figure by many pediatricians, both in PAHS and outside. Her contribution in furthering the cause of child health at national and international level can never be forgotten. She was an active member of NEPAS (Nepal Pediatric Society) and Chairperson of AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunization) National Committee. She also represented Nepal in the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS).

It will be very hard to fill the void left by her demise. Undoubtedly, Nepal has lost a true warrior who kept fighting for the cause of child health throughout her life. It is an irreparable loss.

May her soul rest in eternal peace!