Honorary Fellow Professor Arulkumaran Sabaratnam

Sir Prof Sabaratnam ARULKUMARAN was born in Sri Lanka and graduated from The University of Ceylon in 1972. After obtaining his MRCOG in 1979, he worked in United Kingdom for 3 years. He then started his academic career as a lecturer at the National University of Singapore, where he obtained his PhD in 1992, and MD in 1997. He was the Professor & Chief of Services of the O&G Department of the National University of Singapore before he moved to United Kingdom again in 1998. Now he is the author of 270 indexed publications, 32 books and 164 book chapters, and an internationally renowned clinical academic in the field of Obstetrics.

In 2001, he decided to take a challenging job, as the Head of the O&G Department in St George’s Hospital, University of London. At that time the department was at low ebb with multiple problems. There were a couple of occasions where the Trust board considered transferring O&G services to another hospital. However, under his leadership, the department was rejuvenated, and is now considered one of the best O&G units in the United Kingdom. He described it was the best career move in his life.

Prof ARULKUMARAN served the Roya l College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in various capacities from 2002. He was the Vice President of Education of the Royal College in 2005-07. He contributed a great deal in reforming the postgraduate education and training program of the Royal College, which many O&G Colleges of other countries, including HKCOG, have taken as an important reference. He was elected President, RCOG, and served between 2007-2010.

In May 2009, he was appointed Knight Bachelor for services to medicine and healthcare, in recognition of his significant contribution, not only to his specialty but also to his country. More was to come; He was appointed the Honorary Secretary of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom in 2010, and the President of the British Medical Association. He was elected President of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) in 2012. Through FIGO, he oversaw a number of projects that have improved the standard of care in many developing countries. It is not surprising that many Colleges of O&G, including the American, Sri Lankan, South African, Pakistan, Indian, Australian& New Zealand have conferred him the Honorary Fellow.

Professor ARULKUMARAN has been a great friend and supporter of Hong Kong throughout his remarkable career, at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional level. He is an icon of our profession. We are honored that he has accepted the Honorary Fellowship of our College. Mr President, I present Prof. Sir Sabaratnam ARULKUMARAN, for the Honorary Fellowship of The Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.