Obituary: Prof. (Dr.) K. Mohandas

Prof. K. Mohandas, former President of the Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs India (1999–2001) and former Director of the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), passed away on October 9, 2025, at 3:45 PM in Bengaluru. He was widely admired for his exceptional clinical expertise, visionary leadership, and deep commitment to innovation and technology development in healthcare. A postgraduate in Anesthesiology from the Christian Medical College, Vellore, and an MD from the Medical College, Mysore, Prof. Mohandas began his career at Calicut Medical College before joining the Sree Chitra Tirunal Medical Centre in 1976, where he served as Chief Anesthetist during the first open-heart surgery at the Centre. He later became Dean in 1993 and Director in 1994, leading the Institute until 2009. His tenure witnessed the establishment of several pioneering initiatives, including the Comprehensive Centres for Epilepsy and Movement Disorders, and the launch of public health programs such as the MPH course. In recognition of his distinguished contributions to Anesthesiology, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, UK, awarded him the Honorary Fellowship—making him the first Indian to receive this distinction. He also served as President of the Association of Indian Universities (2004), Chairperson of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (2005–2007), and the founding Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Health Sciences. The Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs India pays heartfelt homage to this distinguished leader and visionary, and extends sincere condolences to his bereaved family. Very sad news ! He was very encouraging to all of us, very pleasant and ready to support everyone always.  Great loss not only for medical fraternity but also for biomaterials and the artificial organs community. He was for a device development program, a lot of memories come in my mind. My condolences and pray for his soul rest in peace. Chandra P. Sharma