Saving babies was his life’s calling
This writer pays tribute to the ‘father of foetoscopic laser surgery’.
DR JAPARAJ Robert Peter (JRP) was a loving husband, a caring father, a wonderful friend, a dedicated doctor, a passionate teacher and a godly soul.
But how else was Dr JRP different? What made him great? Was it his ability to diagnose a foetal condition within minutes? Was it his skillful hands that cured and saved many mothers from dying during childbirth? Was it his vision and leadership that enriched the fraternity? Was it his discipline and passion that he instilled among his trainees and colleagues? Was it his honesty and humanity that enriched all those who knew him? I believe he embodied all of the above but essentially it was his humility that made him great. He is a legend in my eyes and I truly mean this. Japaraj, derived from the word Japa, is a Sanskrit word which means “repetition of a mantra”, and he was as divine as the meaning of his name.
Being obstetricians, our work is related to the beginning of life and the miracle of birth. Dr JRP, on the other hand, had the ability to save babies even before there were born. He was (and still is) the only obstetrician in Malaysia who did foetoscopic laser surgery, which is the treatment of choice for severe early-onset Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). He was determined to retire in public service where his services were invaluable.
To heal and to cure is the physician’s oath while death is often deemed a failure, especially to an obstetrician. Did we fail in preventing his death or did we not try hard enough to save his precious life who himself had saved thousands of mothers and babies? Could we not fight the forces of nature or even faith? Why him? Why now? These were the questions we asked but Dr JRP had an answer. He replied, “Why not me?”
“God is in control” was his last post and that reflects the kind of person he was – firm in his faith and going beyond himself to care for others. A selfless soul who served without expectations.
His untimely death was too painful and we only hoped we had had more time. He would have quickly returned to work, would have saved lots more lives and cured more twins.
He would have inspired more doctors and passed on his knowledge so that we could continue his wonderful legacy in foetal medicine. He would have completed a few more marathons and recorded a few more songs on his guitar. But perhaps we were all too greedy because we only needed more of him! God does great things through good people, and perhaps he was a chosen one.
Born on Aug 17, 1965 in Ipoh, he lived a simple and humble life. Raised in the iconic Block A Sungai Pari Flats, it was his home till the 1980s. A proud Ipoh ACS boy from 1972 till 1984, he pursued his medical degree in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian in Kelantan, and later his master’s in Universiti Malaya. Nicknamed “Tom Selleck” in university, he married his “angel” Jhenet Kota in 1995; they were blessed with three children – Mercy, Grace and Joseph.
He continued his sub-specialty training in Australia, in maternal foetal medicine and later became the “father” of foetoscopic laser surgery in Malaysia. He worked in various hospitals in Malaysia, namely Sarawak General Hospital, Hospital Simunjan, Hospital Kuala Lumpur and then Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) since 2003 where he also established the first foetoscopic laser unit in Malaysia. He was elevated to Head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecological Department of HPRB in 2014. He performed over 200 foetoscopic laser procedures.
Patients came from Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Pakistan. He was instrumental in setting up these services in Vietnam and Indonesia in recent years.
I first met him in 2005, as a first-year trainee in O&G. It was during our annual congress and there was a video on an “Exit procedure” on how he had saved a baby at delivery. I knew then I wanted to be like him; it took me nine years. I waited patiently for my turn, and was privileged to be his ninth trainee in maternal foetal medicine.
I was honoured to spend 2014 working with him, learning and embracing his qualities.
He was the master at work, a true professional. And we all felt secure if we saw him during an emergency, knowing that the patient would be saved.
Day or night, he often went beyond the call of duty to treat and manage his patients. No matter how complex a foetal condition, all that was needed were his hands and an ultrasound probe to weave his magic.
Dr JRP had the ability to mesmerise. His lectures were enriching and well soughtafter, even overseas. His energy, wide smile and positive vibes could heal and charm any soul.
I enjoyed our intellectual discussions and the chance to spend time with him. The “guru” later became a close confidante, and he remained someone I would look to for guidance and advice even during the last few weeks.
We shared many teh tarik sessions where many important decisions related to the department and O&G were made.
Diagnosed with cancer in May 2018, none of us knew he only had three-and-a-half months left. But perhaps he knew. Even when he was recovering from his treatment, his only concern was his patients and the continuity of fetoscopic laser services in Malaysia. It was his “baby”.
What Will Matter, a poem by Michael Josephson, beautifully describes Dr JRP. The day of his eternal rest, at 53, came on Sept 3. But I believe his ambitions and hopes will live forever, and so will his legacy. Death is not the end!