DR. YUSUF K. DAWOOD; THE PROLIFIC SURGEON

 DR. YUSUF K. DAWOOD; THE PROLIFIC SURGEON

Renowned surgeon, columnist, and author the late Yusuf K. Dawood kept us riveted on our seats for decades, with his detailed narratives of his work as a surgeon, on his popular Daily Nation’s column entitled, Surgeon’s Diaries, which lasted for over thirty years. As a result, this prolific surgeon is worth an honorary mention in this captivating segment of black history month.

The late Dr. Dawood was a medicine practitioner for sixty years, having worked at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, with a specialty in breast cancer. Additionally, he was not only a doctor, but also an attending physician, a writer, a husband, and a father. I always wonder just how this gifted surgeon was able to juggle all the above mentioned roles? Dr. Dawood must have led a busy life, trying to find balance between obligation and passion, in order to find success. Be that as it may, I am on the notion that doctors always record or document their research studies in medical journals. Regardless, Dr. Dawood went a step further, by giving us detailed accounts about his everyday patients, their heartfelt emotions, and their journeys to recovery after undergoing surgery, without necessarily revealing their identity, or penning the gory details of the surgical procedures.

As a teenager, I spent most of my reading time keeping up with the Surgeon’s Diaries, sometimes getting lost through the reads, on account of the medical jargon, yet I always caught the gist of what the famous doctor was trying to drive across. The diaries almost had a feel of relief by the end of every story, mostly because of the success stories that Dr. Dawood wrote about. In spite of that, it was not always bread and roses in the surgeon’s theatre, as some tales had a sense of defeat or despair at the end, proving that life and death is a delicate dance of the cosmos.

Nonetheless, Dr. Dawood knew how to deliver a timeless piece, without making it too grim, for he knew that he had some sensitive devotees like me, who would sob their eyes out, should he have chosen to recount on the worst case scenarios he had dealt with, during the course of his medical practice. However, I must say that it is because of such a gifted writer as Dr. Dawood, that I was inspired to become one.

As a doctor, and particularly one who had encountered death on several occasions, as part of his occupational hazard, Dr. Dawood was brave enough to stand tall even in the face of demise, believing that he was able to help his patients gain a clean bill of health amidst tough situations. Even so, we are already informed about the ills of cancer and how it is detrimental to one’s health. Consequently, annual screening is imperative for everyone these days, in order to avoid a late diagnosis, when this cancerous monster has eaten up all your good body cells, leaving you sick and helpless. This was Dr. Dawood’s regular counsel to us all.

On first glance, one would not  recognize the late Dr. Dawood as the prominent surgeon and author, due to his polite and humble demeanour. Infact, the only images I saw of the noble doctor back then were those cartoons depicted of him in every article, by the popular illustrator John Nyaga, who worked with Dr. Dawood for more than a decade, in order to bring his master pieces to life. Back then, we did not have google images to help us identify our traditional heroes in a jiff, wherefore we relied heavily on the notable John Nyaga to draw for us images of those famed unidentified artists. So, thank you John Nyaga for your exemplary gift of drawing. But I quickly digress.

The late Dr. Yusuf K. Dawood was an inspiration to many Kenyans, and particularly those with the desire to study medicine. He also inspired his patients to live out their remaining days focusing on the positive aspect of life, living in gratitude, as well as appreciating close friends and family. This is what Dr. Yusuf K. Dawood valued most in life, and thereby being confident in the fact that when he too transitions into the next life, he will have lived what he taught. Oh, and incase you were wondering what the initial K stood for, in the doctor’s name, it is Kodwavwalla. Go figure! Now, you all know.

Here is to you Dr. Yusuf K. Dawood; a precious gem trickled in the ink of time, to spread healing, as well as colour our world with peace, love, and happiness. You will be dearly missed. Rest in power!