As the dew on the grass vanishes at dawn...

A tribute to Dr. Pramod Ranatunga :

by Shanika Sriyananda

One does not need to know him personally. But by reading the small book with a mere 68 pages, you will bond with him. Though he is still a stranger to you, the small notes written about him by those who regained life thanks to his healing touch will make you understand the 'God' who lived inside a human being.

"Impossible to think that you are no more. You wrenched me from death's door. The good die young, they often say. Is it to confirm that saying that you went far away", says one poem sent by a patient who says that it is sad to think that 'Never can we see that calm and collected face again'.

"He treated all his patients as friends. His mere words were enough to heal a patient. He displayed great human qualities now rare among mortals. His constant warmth, intelligence, pleasant appearance and care made him popular among the needy. It seems with his sudden departure an era has ended. All of us lost an incredibly kind, gentle and wonderfully thoughtful person", says another.

"You gave us life, you gave us hope, you led us to a promised land, you took us through the desert, you showed us the way. The moment we saw you our problems were gone, as the dew on the grass at the sunshine", this is another in the book, a collection of appreciations.

There are many such small notes and poems written by those who escaped death. Thousands of patients cured by him are still mourning as they are not ready to believe that their 'dosthara mahaththaya' is no more.

Yes, Dr. Pramod Vishwabandhu Ranatunga, the Resident Cardiologist of the Institute of Cardiology, Colombo, is no more. He breathed his last one year ago but still he lives with his patients, who wish that at any given moment he would come from heaven with his charming smile giving them hope to live on.

His family, friends and patients never let this doctor's noble vision dry up. They started the Dr. Pramod Ranatunga Trust Fund in a small way hoping to carry out his vision - helping the needy- further.

Recently they travelled to Diyasenpura in Hingurakgoda to treat people who do not have access to specialist care. Exercise books, medicine, including vitamins for children and elders were distributed among the villagers. Over 1,500 people - young and old were screened for various illnesses at the health camp held at the Wijeyapura Maha Vidyalaya in Diyasenpura.

In addition to holding health camps in remote areas, the Trust Fund has awarded three scholarships for medical undergraduates from the Ruhuna University. Each will be getting a monthly allowance of Rs. 1,500 till they finish their university studies.

"This is in line with Pramod's vision. He wanted to serve the people and we want to continue his vision", says Dr. Pramod's wife - Dr. Kumuduni Ranatunga, Consultant Anaesthetist of the Colombo National Hospital.

Most of the time, when a poor patient comes to him, he treated him free of charge. The poor man had only to pay the hospital charges. "His satisfaction was not in earning money. His passion was healing patients and he never finished diagnosing a patient within a few minutes. He took time to talk to them. He made them fearless about the illness and gave hope", adds Dr. Mrs. Ranatunga.

Recalling the happy days spent with her husband, who she thinks was far superior to many human beings she says that she is lucky to have shared his life with him. "As we were in the same field, I understood his desire. He spent much of his time with patients. I was fully tolerant and helped him to pursue his wish. He continued to do this until he got sick at the age of 45", she says.

This sensitive doctor did not sleep when a patient under his care was struggling for life. When there was a critically ill patient he would rush to the bedside and spend long hours fighting for the patient's life. His recovery was the only reward that Dr. Pramod sought at the end of the day.

His compassion over poor patients had made him do X-rays beyond the limit. He was happy as he wanted to see a speedy recovery of his patients but the deadly radiation leaked from the poorly managed X-ray machines developed cancer cells in the brain of this eminent cardiologist.

He who taught to be brave when they were ill did not fear the deadly cancer that over took him. After surgery done in Singapore, he returned to the Cardiology Unit with his charming smile and treated patients for another six- months. The deadly brain cancer however did not give this 'dosthara mahaththaya' a chance to live to serve his people.

Day by day he reached his last days.

"When the brain tumour was initially diagnosed our friends told me to be prepared for his anger and frustration.

They said that being a top cardiologist, who spent most of his time with patients and was suddenly diagnosed with a serious cancer, and told that he would live a very short period of time, he would throw things and be angry with people.

Instead he became better and even more compassionate and calm. He always appreciated any help given to him and he read lots of Dhamma books and started meditation. But at the last stages he murmured the word 'sadhu' and later he stopped talking", recalls Dr. Ranatunga while tears glitter in her eyes. "We spent a very short period of time with him but we are lucky to have known a person like him".

Those who wish to make Dr. Pramod's dream a reality can obtain more information from Dr. Pramod Ranatunga Memorial Trust, 410/134, Buller's Rd, Colombo 7 or by calling - 2699411 or emailing to [email protected]

Here is another appreciation by a patient: "He is just away. You can not say that he is dead, he is just away. With a smile and a wave of the hand, he had wondered into an unknown land. So think of him.

In the love of there and the love of here. Think of him still as the same and say He is not dead, HE IS JUST AWAY ..."

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