Kolkata, 06 April (H.S.): Renowned physician and Padma Shri awardee Mani Kumar Chhetri passed away at his residence in Ballygunge Place in Kolkata on Sunday night following age-related ailments, family sources said. He was 105.

According to family members, Dr Chhetri breathed his last at around 10:15 p.m. on Sunday. His health had deteriorated rapidly after he suffered a head injury about 15 days ago.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over his demise. In a condolence message on Monday, she described his death as the end of a significant chapter in the medical history of Bengal and India and extended her sympathies to his family, students, patients and admirers.

Dr Chhetri had served as director of SSKM Hospital, where he played a key role in establishing the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU). He was also instrumental in the introduction of specialised departments such as endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, diabetology and rheumatology, many of which were first-of-their-kind initiatives in state-run hospitals in West Bengal.

The West Bengal Doctors' Forum announced that doctors across the state would wear black badges on Monday as a mark of respect to the veteran physician.

Born on May 23, 1920, in Darjeeling, Dr Chhetri completed his early education there before passing his matriculation examination under University of Calcutta in 1936. He completed his medical graduation in 1944 and his postgraduate degree in medicine in 1949, after which he went abroad for higher studies.

In 1955, he received the MRCP degree from the Royal College of Physicians. He was awarded fellowships by the American College of Cardiology in 1969, the Indian Academy of Medical Sciences in 1972, and again by the Royal College of Physicians in 1973.

After returning to India, he began his career at the School of Tropical Medicine as a resident physician. Later, during the tenure of then Chief Minister Bidhan Chandra Roy, he joined the Presidency General Hospital (now SSKM Hospital) as a consultant physician.

Dr Chhetri was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1974 for his outstanding contribution to the field of medicine.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh