Former NIMS Director Kakarla Subba Rao No More

Renowned radiologist Dr Kakarla Subba Rao, who had worked as the first director of the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), passed away this morning while undergoing treatment at KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad.

The 96-year-old was reportedly admitted to the hospital a month ago due to age-related ailments.

Born in 1925 in Krishna district's Pedamuttavi, Andhra Pradesh, he completed his schooling in Challapalli and his higher studies at the Hindu College of Machipatnam.

Rao then went on to receive an MBBS from the Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. After completing his training as a house surgeon in 1951, he shifted to the US to pursue further studies.

While there, the former NIMS head passed the radiology board exam in 1955 and also worked at various hospitals in New York and Baltimore between 1954 and 1956.

On his return to India in 1956, he joined the Osmania Medical College as an assistant professor and was later appointed the chief radiologist at the same college.

However, Rao went back to the US in 1970 where he worked as a radiologist. During this time, he also received a degree from the Royal College of Radiologists, a prestigious UK-based body for clinical radiology and clinical oncology, and later set up the Telugu Association of North America.

The renowned doctor decided to come back to India once again after the then-Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, N T Rama Rao, exhorted Telugus working abroad to return home to devote themselves to their country. He was appointed as the first director of the NIMS and held the position between 1985 and 1990 and then between 1997 and 2004 again, before retiring.

Under him, the institute became a thriving specialty hospital as he did much to improve it. Today, the NIMS is known for its excellent patient service, education and training, and research.

In recognition of his valuable contributions to the field of medicine, the Indian government honoured Rao with a Padma Sri, the fourth highest civilian award, in the year 2000.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed his sorrow over the passing of the famed doctor, and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.

The CM also lauded him for his service to the field of medicine and his work in developing the NIMS.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu too mourned the former NIM head's passing. In a Facebook post, he praised Rao as an "excellent hospital administrator who was known for his integrity, professionalism, hard work and discipline".