Abul Quasem Syed Mohammed Harun
BMJ 2001; 323 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7323.1255f (Published 24 November 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;323:1255Data supplement
Abul Quasem Syed Mohammed Harun
Former professor of ophthalmology Dhaka, Bangladesh (b Chittagong, Bangladesh, 1936; q Dhaka Medical College 1957; DO, FRCS, FRCOphth), died from a myocardial infarction on 1 June 2001.
After qualifying, he worked in Aden as a medical officer before coming to England in 1963 to pursue a career in ophthalmology. He trained in the Midlands, where he was senior registrar at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital, and was appointed a consultant ophthalmologist in Colchester in 1975.
In 1978, at the invitation of the then minister for health, he returned to Bangladesh to help establish the National Institute of Ophthalmology in Dhaka, where in 1983 he became professor of ophthalmology and subsequently went on to become its director.
His main contribution was the introduction of modern ophthalmology to Bangladesh. In particular, he performed cataract surgery with intra-ocular lens implantation (now standard practice worldwide but a new technique at the time) and laser photocoagulation for diabetic retinopathy. He was passionate about training the next generation of ophthalmologists and was revered as an excellent clinical teacher.
A soft spoken, gentle man, he always remembered his own humble beginnings. He financially supported many students through college and university and built a school and an eye hospital in his village home in Chittagong.
He leaves a wife and a son (also an ophthalmologist). [Shabbir Harun]
See more
- Introductory AddressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 1-4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.1
- Report of the Meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Provincial Association at Bury St. Edmond'sProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 10-13; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.10
- Mr. Warburton's Bill for the Regulation of the Medical ProfessionProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 13-15; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.13
- An Atlas of Plates, illustrative of the Principles and Practice of Obstetric Medicine and Surgery, with descriptive LetterpressProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4
- A Practical Treatise on the Diseases peculiar to Women, illustrated by Cases, &cProv Med Surg J October 03, 1840, s1-1 (1) 4-5; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.s1-1.1.4-a