Posted By :  Admin1

Prof. Dr. P. A. Mohammad Kunju, former Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatric Neurology at Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, passed away recently. He was a pioneering figure in the field of paediatric neurology and was instrumental in establishing India’s first Department of Paediatric Neurology.

A graduate of T.D. Medical College, Alappuzha, Dr. Kunju completed his DCH, MD, and DM (Neurology) from Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. He initiated the country’s first newborn screening program using the MPLAD fund of former Chief Minister P. K. Vasudevan Nair. He was also known for popularising Botox therapy for cerebral palsy in India.

Dr. Kunju authored several textbooks on paediatric neurology, epilepsy, and movement disorders and served as the Editor of the IAP Textbook of Pediatric Neurology. He represented India at multiple international conferences, including the World Congress of Neurology held in Japan (2017) and Dubai (2019).

He was the recipient of the Best Doctor Award from the Government of Kerala in 2016 and was honoured with the Best Branch President Award of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) at both state and national levels. Dr. Kunju served as President of IAP Kerala in 2018 and was conferred with FIAP (2021), FRCP (London), and FIAN (Indian Academy of Neurology). At the time of his demise, he was serving as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Kerala, Professor at Travancore Medical College, Kollam, and Consultant at KIMS Health, Thiruvananthapuram.