Dr. K. Pavithran, Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Oncology at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, passed away while undergoing treatment for abdominal-related ailment. Even during his treatment, he continued to set aside time to see patients, reflecting his lifelong commitment to healing. 

The public viewing was held at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, where Mata Amritanandamayi Math General Secretary Swami Poornamritanandapuri led the prayer ceremonies. Amrita Hospitals Group Medical Director Dr. Prem Nair offered a wreath and said Dr. Pavithran’s demise was an irreparable loss to the medical world, especially to Amrita Hospital. 

Dr. Pavithran served Amrita Hospital for over two decades and was widely respected for his clinical excellence, compassion, and dedication to patients battling cancer and blood disorders. With a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he became one of India’s respected voices in medical oncology and hematology. He completed his MBBS and MD in Internal Medicine from Calicut Medical College and DM in Medical Oncology from Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru. He also received advanced training in hematology at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom, and gained experience in bone marrow transplantation at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre, Seattle, USA. Dr. Pavithran had over 34 years of experience in hematology and more than 26 years in the treatment of solid tumours, with expertise in breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, gynaecological cancers, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. He was also deeply involved in pediatric hematology and oncology and bone marrow transplantation. 

A dedicated teacher and researcher, he published more than 300 scientific papers, contributed 35 book chapters, edited two books on cancer, and presented his work at several national and international conferences. His contributions were recognised with honours including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology in 2023, the Cochin Oncology Group Lifetime Achievement Award, Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians, London, Fellowship of the Indian College of Physicians, and Fellowship of the World Federation of Hemophilia.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Seethalakshmi, Head of the Department of Pathology at Amrita Hospital; children Dr. Sruthi and Sandra; and son-in-law Dr. Vishnu Vazhoor. 

The funeral will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10 am at the Edappally Changampuzha crematorium. 

Dr. Pavithran will be remembered for his kindness, humility, gentle presence, and the hope he gave to every patient and family he cared for. His passing is an immeasurable loss to the medical fraternity, his students, colleagues, friends, and countless patients whose lives he touched.