Ernest Borges

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Ernest Borges
Ernest Borges.jpg
Portrait of Ernest Borges
Born
Ernest Joachim Joseph Borges

1909 (1909)
Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
Died3 March 1969(1969-03-03) (aged 59–60)
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
NationalityIndian
Education MBBS, MS, Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS)
Alma mater Grant Medical College, University of Bombay
Occupation(s)Oncologist, Cancer Surgeon
Known forPioneering cancer treatment in India
Spouse
Gracie Soares
​
(m. 1946)​
Children6
Awards Padma Shri (1966)
Order of St. Gregory the Great

Ernest Joachim Joseph Borges FRCS (1909 - 3 March 1969) was an Indian oncologist and cancer surgeon known for his contributions to the field of oncology in India. He pioneered cancer treatment in India during a period when radiation therapy and chemotherapy were in their early stages of development, while surgery remained the predominant option for cancer patients. [1] He served as the Director and Superintendent of Tata Memorial Hospital from 1967 to 1969. [2] In 1966, he was honored with the Padma Shri, the third highest civilian award, by the Government of India. [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Ernest Joachim Joseph Borges was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1909 to Cajetan Francis Borges and Inez de Nazaré. [1] The family was from Ucassaim, Goa. [4]

Borges received his early education at St. Teresa's High School in Girgaon and later attended St. Xavier's High School and College in Dhobitalao. He pursued his medical degree (MBBS) from Grant Medical College and furthered his studies by obtaining an MS degree with distinction from the University of Bombay. He went on to pursue a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in England. He was trained at Memorial Hospital in New York. [1]

Career

Borges joined Tata Memorial Hospital in Bombay, where he served as a chief surgeon for nearly three decades. His expertise in esophageal cancer surgery, particularly noteworthy during a time when few dared to undertake such procedures, earned him acclaim both nationally and internationally. He was instrumental in establishing Tata Memorial Hospital as a premier institution for cancer treatment in India.[ citation needed ]

He was closely associated with the Catholic Church. He served as president for three terms at the St. Luke's Medical Guild, an organization of Catholic medical professionals established by the then Archbishop of Bombay. [1] He was the editor of the medical journal, the Catholic Medical Bulletin, which was published by the Archdiocese of Bombay. [3] He served as the President of the Indian Federation of Catholic Medical Guilds since 1964. [5] He was also elected as the vice president of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations in 1966. [2]

Personal life

Borges married Gracie Soares on 27 April 1946. The couple had six children, however, their daughter survived for only one day. In 1964, the couple had a private audience with Pope Paul VI when the Pope visited India for the Eucharistic congress. [1]

Death

He died on 3 March 1969, at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. [6] He died of cancer. [4]

Awards and recognition

In 1966, he was honored with the Padma Shri by the President of India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, in recognition of his contributions to the field of medicine. [3]

He received the Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great from the Pope and was also honored with the Order of the Privy Chamberlain, Cape, and Sword for his dedicated service to suffering humanity. He was the recipient of the Charles Morehead Prize in Clinical Medicine. [4]

The Goa Branch of the Indian Cancer Society released cancer seals/stamps featuring his photo on September 7, 1971, commemorating Ernest's birth anniversary. [1]

Legacy

Borges was also a philanthropist, and he established Ernest's Ark: The Dr. Ernest Borges Memorial Home in Mumbai, which provides care and support to cancer patients and their families. [6]

Borges' life and work are the subject of a biography book titled, In Ernest Quest: EJ Borges, Legendary and Revered Cancer Surgeon, written by his daughter Renee Maria Borges. The book was released in January 2023 and covers all aspects of Borges' life and lifestyle, including his personal and professional relationships, his research, and his contributions to the field of oncology. The book also includes eulogies and tributes from colleagues and patients who knew and worked with Borges. [6] [1] [7] [8]

Roads named after him include Dr. Ernest Borges Road in front of Tata Memorial Hospital in Parel, Mumbai, [9] as well as roads in Dona Paula and Ucassaim, Goa. [4]

Tata Memorial Hospital paid tribute to Ernest Borges' centenary and his contributions to cancer surgery by releasing a handbook on September 6, 2009. The handbook documents his journey as a surgeon and mentor at the hospital. [10]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Borges, Jane (5 February 2023). "Daughter of Mumbai's renowned cancer surgeon Ernest Borges documents his legacy". Mid Day.
  2. 1 2 Cabral e Sa, Mario. "Eminent Goans". nri.goa.gov.in.
  3. 1 2 3 "A quest to find the legend of Dr Ernest Borges". O Heraldo. 6 February 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Monteiro, Lisa (27 April 2017). "An 'ernest' fight against cancer". The Times of India. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  5. ↑ J. Clement Vaz (1997). Profiles of Eminent Goans, Past and Present. Concept Publishing Company. p. 220. ISBN   9788170226192.
  6. 1 2 3 "Legendary Doctors!ERNEST BORGES, A CANCER SURGEON TO REMEMBER!". Goan Observer. 27 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Capturing the essence of Dr. Ernest Borges". The Navhind Times. 14 January 2023.
  8. ↑ ""In Ernest Quest", a book released on the life of Oncologist Dr Ernest Borges". Goanews.com. 21 January 2023.
  9. ↑ Pinto, Jerry (17 April 2023). "Tapping into the many tales of Dr Ernest Borges Road". Hindustan Times.
  10. ↑ Madugula, Monika (7 August 2017). "Dr Ernest Borges Road Tribute to man who spent his life fighting cancer". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017.
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