Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan was a senior doctor specializing in the heart, who was also the first Vice-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). He died in Manipal on July 17, 2024.
The first vice chancellor for Manipal Academy of Higher education (MAHE) who is also an experienced cardiac surgeon, Marthanda Varma Sankaran Valiathan, passed away at 9.14 p.m on July 17 in Manipal. He was aged 90 years at death. He left his wife, one son and one daughter behind.
Notably, his career saw him make significant contributions to the area of cardiology as well as medical technology. This alumnus from Medical College Thiruvananthapuram had fellowships with Royal College of surgeons Edinburgh England and Canada.
Dr. Valiathan played a pivotal role in establishing the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute at Thiruvananthapuram where he served as its Professor and Director of Cardiac Surgery for two decades. His various innovations such as the disposable blood bag and tilting disc heart valve have seen India’s medical devices industry standing tall today.
From 1993 Dr. Valiathan served as Vice Chancellor MAHE during which time he advanced research prospects and academic programs run by MAHE more than any other tenure before it. In turn this boosted MAHE’s global image through enhancing a conducive environment that encouraged interdisciplinary activities within and beyond her borders.
Dr.Valiathan received Padma Shri Award in 2002 and Padma Vibhushan Award in 2005.
He has also received several other awards like Dr B.C Roy National award, Hunterian professorship from royal college of surgeons London, Chevalier des Palmes Académiques by French Government, Samuel P Asper award for international medical students from Johns Hopkins University and lifetime achievement award from Indian Medical Association.
