Lall Sawh
Encyclopedia
Lall Ramnath Sawh CM, FRCS (Edin)
(born 1 June 1951) is a Trinidadian urologist in the Caribbean
and Latin America
. Based in Trinidad and Tobago
, Sawh pionerred kidney
transplantation in the Caribbean in 1988 and has continued to be a leader in the field of urology
. In 1994, Sawh implemented the use of the first Dornier Lithotripsy
machine in Trinidad, thereby revolutionizing the treatment of kidney stones in Trinidad.
in San Fernando
, one of Trinidad's premiere secondary schools. By age sixteen, he held the prestigious position of "Head Boy" at the school and attained the necessary grades in his Advanced Level examinations to make him eligible to enter Medical School at the University of the West Indies
in Jamaica
.
Having graduated at the top of his graduating class in medical school, Sawh was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship and moved to the United Kingdom to specialize in Urology. He then moved to the United States to complete his training as an Endoscopic Urology Fellow at the prestigious Mayo Clinic
in Rochester, Minnesota. Shortly after starting to practice in Trinidad, he returned to the United States to complete further post-graduate training at the Urology Department at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
nations. Urology in Trinidad was in its infancy, and the departure of the only two practicing Urologist left a void in the field. Together with the late General Surgeon Dr. Andrew Yip-Hoi, Sawh was left as the sole Urologist, giving him the opportunity to continue the work left by his predecessors as well as the opportunity to pioneer several Urological procedures at the San Fernando General Hospital. Of particular note was the introduction of kidney transplant services to the Caribbean, with Sawh leading the local team in this historic surgery on January 27, 1988
In 1989, Sawh was awarded the post of Consultant Urologist at Port-of-Spain General Hospital. He continued to build the Urology services at that hospital and became a senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies - Mt. Hope Medical Sciences Complex in the fields of Surgery and Urology. A true general urologist, Sawh's practice encompasses all facets of urology, including prostate cancer, stone disease, erectile dysfunction, surgical correction of penile anomalies and renal cancer.
In 1994, Sawh's company, Uroco Limited, introduced the Dornier Lithotripsy machine to the country to provide minimally invasive treatment for stone disease in Trinidad.
On July 13, 2007, it was announced that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago would provide free brachytherapy treatment to all Prostate Cancer patients who were amenable to this form or treatment. This decision was a direct result of Sawh's call for the government to provide this service
Dr. Sawh's services to Trinidad and Tobago have earned him the award of Chaconia
Medal of the National Order of the Trinity, Class 1 Gold
(the Chaconia Medal, Gold), the second highest award given by that country for excellence in the fields of Medicine
and Surgery
. At the time of the award, Sawh was only forty-three years old, making him the youngest person in the History of Trinidad and Tobago to be awarded the Chaconia Medal Gold for his contribution to Surgery in Trinidad.
In 2009, Dr. Sawh was named a "National Icon" by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and was furthered honored by the Society of Surgeons in Trinidad and Tobago when he was featured in their publication "Trinidad and Tobago Icons in Science and Technology -Volume II".
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is an organisation dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and advancement in surgical practice, through its interest in education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical workforce...
(born 1 June 1951) is a Trinidadian urologist in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. Based in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, Sawh pionerred kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
transplantation in the Caribbean in 1988 and has continued to be a leader in the field of urology
Urology
Urology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological...
. In 1994, Sawh implemented the use of the first Dornier Lithotripsy
Lithotripsy
Lithotripsy refers to the physical destruction of gallstones or kidney stones. The term is derived from the Greek words meaning "breaking stones" .Forms include:* Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy...
machine in Trinidad, thereby revolutionizing the treatment of kidney stones in Trinidad.
Early life and medical training
Dr. Sawh was born in a small rural village in Central Trinidad where most of his time was spent selling produce in a local market. Despite having to utilize brown paper bags as notebooks, Sawh was able to excel in school and attended Naparima CollegeNaparima College
Naparima College is a secondary school for teenaged males in Trinidad and Tobago. Located in San Fernando, the school was founded in 1894, but did not receive official recognition until 1900. The was established by Dr. Kenneth J. Grant, a Canadian Presbyterian missionary working among the Indian...
in San Fernando
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
The City of San Fernando with a population of 55,419 according to the 2000 census, is the larger of Trinidad and Tobago's two cities and the second largest municipality after Chaguanas. It occupies 18 km² and is located in the southwestern part of the island of Trinidad...
, one of Trinidad's premiere secondary schools. By age sixteen, he held the prestigious position of "Head Boy" at the school and attained the necessary grades in his Advanced Level examinations to make him eligible to enter Medical School at the University of the West Indies
University of the West Indies
The University of the West Indies , is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica,...
in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
.
Having graduated at the top of his graduating class in medical school, Sawh was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship and moved to the United Kingdom to specialize in Urology. He then moved to the United States to complete his training as an Endoscopic Urology Fellow at the prestigious Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
in Rochester, Minnesota. Shortly after starting to practice in Trinidad, he returned to the United States to complete further post-graduate training at the Urology Department at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Achievements
By 1962, Trinidad and Tobago had gained independence from the British, and by 1976, the country had become a republic with the CommonwealthCommonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
nations. Urology in Trinidad was in its infancy, and the departure of the only two practicing Urologist left a void in the field. Together with the late General Surgeon Dr. Andrew Yip-Hoi, Sawh was left as the sole Urologist, giving him the opportunity to continue the work left by his predecessors as well as the opportunity to pioneer several Urological procedures at the San Fernando General Hospital. Of particular note was the introduction of kidney transplant services to the Caribbean, with Sawh leading the local team in this historic surgery on January 27, 1988
In 1989, Sawh was awarded the post of Consultant Urologist at Port-of-Spain General Hospital. He continued to build the Urology services at that hospital and became a senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies - Mt. Hope Medical Sciences Complex in the fields of Surgery and Urology. A true general urologist, Sawh's practice encompasses all facets of urology, including prostate cancer, stone disease, erectile dysfunction, surgical correction of penile anomalies and renal cancer.
In 1994, Sawh's company, Uroco Limited, introduced the Dornier Lithotripsy machine to the country to provide minimally invasive treatment for stone disease in Trinidad.
On July 13, 2007, it was announced that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago would provide free brachytherapy treatment to all Prostate Cancer patients who were amenable to this form or treatment. This decision was a direct result of Sawh's call for the government to provide this service
Awards
Sawh is currently featured in several editions of Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in the World of Intellects, Who's Who in the World of Science and Technology and was named one of the top 100 Surgeons in the World today. He is a Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, and is a chief examiner for the Caribbean Medical Examinations.Dr. Sawh's services to Trinidad and Tobago have earned him the award of Chaconia
Warszewiczia coccinea
Warszewiczia coccinea is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family. It is the national flower of Trinidad and Tobago because it blooms on 31 August, which coincides with the day that Trinidad and Tobago became independent from Great Britain...
Medal of the National Order of the Trinity, Class 1 Gold
National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago
The National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago consist of:* The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - the country's highest award.* The Chaconia Medal of the Order of the Trinity - in Gold, Silver or Bronze...
(the Chaconia Medal, Gold), the second highest award given by that country for excellence in the fields of Medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and Surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
. At the time of the award, Sawh was only forty-three years old, making him the youngest person in the History of Trinidad and Tobago to be awarded the Chaconia Medal Gold for his contribution to Surgery in Trinidad.
In 2009, Dr. Sawh was named a "National Icon" by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and was furthered honored by the Society of Surgeons in Trinidad and Tobago when he was featured in their publication "Trinidad and Tobago Icons in Science and Technology -Volume II".