His determination has shaped the future of cardio-thoracic surgery in the Northern Province
On December 9, we marked the fifth anniversary of the passing of Dr. Ravi Perumalpillai, whose enduring legacy continues to impact cardio-thoracic surgery in Jaffna. The thriving programmes at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital (JTH) and the Northern Central Hospital (NCH) owe their existence to the dedication of Dr. Ravi’s colleagues, friends, and supporters. This support became particularly crucial during the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic when travel restrictions hindered patients from seeking treatment in Colombo.
Dr. Ravi’s journey began with his return to Sri Lanka in 2012 after retiring from the UK. Focused on revitalising cardio-thoracic surgery in the Northern Province, he laid the foundation while working at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. His foresight led to the training of senior cardiac surgeons from Sri Lanka in Oxford and the organisation of surgical teams from the UK to operate in Sri Lankan hospitals.
Despite challenges in the Sri Lankan government sector, Dr. Ravi found a partner in Mr. S.P. Samy, CEO of the Northern Central Hospital. Their collaboration marked the establishment of a Cardio-thoracic Unit in the private sector, with Mr. Samy providing essential facilities. Dr. Ravi’s fundraising efforts, through the Oxonian Heart Foundation (OHF) UK/ Sri Lanka, garnered support from the Sri Lankan diaspora and other benefactors, making his vision for the North a reality.
In preparation for surgeries, Dr. Ravi ensured a sixmonth medical team from Oxford assisted in setting up the Intensive Care Unit and training nursing staff. The first open-heart surgery using a cardio-pulmonary bypass machine took place at the NCH Jaffna in July 2014. Dr. Ravi was assisted by Drs. K. Gnanakanthan, N. Sriskantharajah, and N. Kulatilake, a significant milestone in the region’s medical history.
Recognising the challenges of long-distance travel for surgeons, Dr. Ravi advocated for a public-private partnership (PPP). After 18 months of dedication, he successfully persuaded the Ministry of Health in Colombo to establish and fill positions for cardio-thoracic surgeons at JTH. This groundbreaking effort resulted in the recruitment of Dr. Mugunthan in March 2017 and the first open-heart surgery at JTH in December of the same year.
Dr. Ravi’s legacy lives on through the sustained PPP model in Northern Sri Lanka’s health sector. Since then, additional cardiac surgeons like Dr. Renuga Kanangara, Dr. Sivashangar, and Dr. Palinda Bandarage have been appointed to meet the growing demand for surgeries. Their contributions extend beyond JTH, with operations performed at the NCH after public service hours.
Dr. Ravi was a founding Trustee of the Heart-to-Heart Foundation of the Jayewardenepura hospital. The Cardio Thoracic Society of Sri Lanka initiated the annual Dr. Ravi Pillai oration, delivered by an eminent cardio-thoracic surgeon.
To honour Dr. Ravi on the fifth anniversary of his passing, a free surgery for a needy patient was conducted at NCH on December 9. His vision, determination, and unwavering commitment to improving healthcare in the Northern Province continue to impact lives and shape the future of cardio-thoracic surgery in the region.
Jeeva