- Volume 62 , Number 3
- Page: 449
Sachin Chaudhury, M.B.B.S., D.C.P., Ph.D. 26 november 1929-8 january 1994
In the sudden demise of Professor Sachin Chaudhury, School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta, there was an immense loss to the patients, students, colleagues, and researchers in leprosy. After graduating from the National Medical College, Calcutta, he joined the Field Leprosy Project, Bankura District, West Bengal, and since then he remained a dedicated worker in leprosy. In 1962, after completing his Diploma in Clinical Pathology (DCP) from the School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta, he became Clinical Pathologist in the Department of Leprology, School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta. He subsequently received his Ph.D. from Calcutta University, and chaired the post of Professor of Leprology from which he retired in 1992 and became Advisor in Leprosy, Government of West Bengal.
He was a very compassionate doctor to his patients and always struggled for their cause until the last day of his life. As a passionate teacher, he earned great esteem and regard from his students, who always came to seek his advice. His zeal for research in leprosy has set an example for future investigators. He never feared to undertake research in unknown areas, and always encouraged the new ideas of young investigators. He contributed in the field of multidrug therapy implementations and predicted its limitations years ago. He set an example in the treatment of leprosy patients by unconventional Ayurvedic medicine, for which many criticized him. For the last 12 years of his life he worked on the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of leprosy vaccines and found marginal benefit.
A man of genial disposition, he was easily approachable and never hesitated to extend his helping hands to anybody, be he a research worker, a student, or one of his colleagues.
Dr. Chaudhury leaves his wife, one son and three daughters. We extend sincere condolences to the family members and to all his colleagues in leprosy service.
- Dr. S. K. Hajra
Dr. Kunal Saha