On 24 August 2015, falls the birth centenary of Dr. João Filipe do Rego, a great luminary, a pioneer in the field of medicine and a role model to many of his students at the then Escola Medico Cirugica de Goa. I am happy to say that I was privileged to be one of his many students.
Dr Rego finished his medical studies in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Lisbon, Portugal before deciding to offer his expertise and services to his very own Goa. He joined the Goa Medical College, named at that time Escola Medico Cirugica de Goa, where he taught and practiced for many years as head of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He strove to make this great Institution people and patient-friendly and towards the end he worked tirelessly even if it meant having to personally check every detail. His surgical skills soon became a by-word and he did surgical procedures like hysterectomies without using antibiotics by meticulous adherence to asepsis protocols. He pioneered the use of Galli-Mainani test for pregnancy, novel ways of preventing post-operative adhesions and a lot more. At a time when blood banks were nonexistent he devised an ingenious method to detect compatibility for transfusions. He presented and published many research papers, delivered lectures worldwide and was deservedly recognized for his immense work.
On one occasion a lady gynaecologist from Mumbai came to discuss a certain novel procedure with Dr Rego hoping it would be utilized by him; to her surprise she discovered that he had already put it to use quite a while back. Certain procedures that he performed were unknown till then to his Goan counterparts. Interestingly, his wife Profa. Maria da Piedade do Rego and father-in-law, Prof. Salvador Fernandes were also my professors at the Lyceum.
At a party in Dona Paula, a lady remarked that she was not charged delivery fees by Dr Rego. “Me too” chimed in another. It took less than a minute to discover that half a dozen of them had similarly not been charged! Such were the doctors of that era.
It is not given to many to impart to others the expertise they garner but as a professor at the medical college Dr Rego did this with aplomb. Teaching was his second nature. His lectures were always very interesting and the rounds of the hospital’s wards with him were inspiring. His genuine concern for the patients and the way he interacted with them all left an indelible mark on us, his students.
A million things could be written about this great man. Here is a doctor that has left an indelible mark amongst his medical community with his pursuit of professional excellence. He leaves for all of us an outstanding legacy of integrity, dedication and service for all of us to emulate. Countless numbers of grateful mothers stand testimony to his incredible work ethic and the sense of calm that he generated in them as they nervously went through the pains of labor awaiting the joyful arrival of their precious babies. And for good measure not one but two grateful generations have been the joyful beneficiaries of his life of service. A shining example for all of us in the medical profession. I joined the medical profession because my father, Dr Antonio Pinto do Rosario, was my role model; Dr Rego guided me to achieve my goal. To you, Sir, I bow my head in respect. Your memory will live through the ages.
