– M Rafi Ahmed
“Medicine cures diseases but only doctors can cure patients.” This thought-provoking quote of Swiss psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and psychologist Carl Gustav Jung is relevant in the context of noted paediatrician from Coimbatore Dr Abdul Kasim Jaleel Ahamed as he was honoured with ‘Eminent Doctor Personality Award’ for the year 2025 at an event held at Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquartered in New Delhi on the National Doctors Day event.
Indian Medical Association (IMA), the world’s largest association of doctors with over 4 lakh members and 1,800 branches across the country, held its prestigious national award ceremony in the nation’s capital on July 14, wherein scores of medical professionals in different categories were recognised with the honour by Chief Guest Dr Jitendra Goyal, Union Minister of Science and Technology besides the Guest of Honour Dr Anil Goyal, MLA from Delhi.
With over four decades of dedicated service, Dr Jaleel Ahamed carved a niche for himself in treating children at his Cloud One Smart Clinic at West Ponnurangam Road in RS Puram neighbourhood in Coimbatore city. No gainsaying the fact that the child specialist earned name and fame among the residents within and off the city. Noteworthy to mention, he earlier served as Chief Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital for 34 years.
It is pertinent to point out that Holy Quran researcher, noted speaker, author and publisher Dr Ameer Althaf, in his book ‘Pettagam’ released in 2013 which is a compilation of 300 years history of Coimbatore Muslims, has a separate chapter on Dr A K Jaleel Ahamed.
He married the daughter of Sakkarai Mohamed Rowther, a philanthropist, who spared a considerable amount for charity even while running his transport company in the 1970s. Those were the days when the less privileged and poor waited in front of Jungle Beer Dargah, Jamesha Dargah and Five Corner mosque during Jumma Ki Raat and on Jumma day.
Dr Jaleel Ahamed taking a cue from his father-in-law is doing his mite continuing his tradition in reaching out to the poor and the needy. Not to be left behind, Dr Jaleel’s service to mankind fetched him accolades from several quarters from far and near while not to speak of the recent IMA Delhi’s ‘Eminent Doctor Personality Award’ at a function organised in connection with ‘National Doctors Day’.
Making heads turn, Dr Jaleel treated an 800-gram test-tube baby claimed to be the country’s first while serving at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital as Chief Paediatrician & Neonatologist, which was the talk of the town then. Interestingly, the baby whom he had treated grew to become a graduate bringing pride to the paediatrician for his noble gesture. This particular incident finds a place in the Pettagam book.
Significantly, he was instrumental in donning the role of Organising ChairPerson – State Neocon 2007 and 2014, Organising Committee Ooty Pedicon (State IAP Conference 2005), Organising Committee , Kongu Pedicon (State IAP Conference 2017 Coimbatore, Organising ChairPerson – South Neocon 2018 in Chennai besides Organising Chairperson – State Neocon 2019 in Madurai, Organised Various CME and Neonatal and Paediatric Workshops in Coimbatore and was State & South Zone Coordinator for IAP Presidential Action Plans.
To his credit, he has numerous awards, including Sr Paediatrician Award, IAPTNSC Senior Neonatologist Award, NNFTN Academic Excellence Award, IMA Community Service Award UG, PG at Coimbatore Medical College during 1976 to 1981,1983-1985 besides Fellowship in Neonatology & Paediatric medicine.
Moreover, he had attended various International, National and State level conferences, workshops, CME programmes in Neonatology at Germany, Norway, Singapore, Italy, UK, South Africa, Dubai, Malaysia, Netherland, Athens, and Alexandria.
Adding more to this, Dr Jaleel said that he was part of the International vaccine summit during 2004 at Thailand and submitted various papers, presentations in paediatrics and neonatology and was selected as a special invitee to attend surfactant replacement therapy during 2006, 2007 in Norway (Oslo), and Italy (Ancona) while not speak of his participation at ESPGHAN summit held in UK, Czech Republic., Geneva, Scotland Visited Marburg, Germany as an observer in neonatology and paediatric nephrology during 2005.
He obtained observer fellowship in neonatology during 2012 at Texas Children’s Hospital USA. The list is endless as he is armed with many recognitions across the globe.
Radiance takes pride in felicitating Dr Jaleel Ahamed for the IMA honour for his dedicated service to the needy.
[The author is former Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle chief]
