Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Alexius Ernald Delilkan, born on February 12, 1934, passed away on February 20, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that spans the realms of medicine, education, and sports. Graduating in 1960, he embarked on a distinguished medical career, contributing significantly to the development of anaesthesiology in Malaysia.
Joining University of Malaya in 1965, Prof Datuk Dr Delilkan played a pivotal role in establishing the country’s first Intensive Care Unit and pioneered various medical facilities. His leadership led to ground-breaking initiatives, including the introduction of Peri-operative Care, Accident/Emergency facilities, Chronic Pain Clinic, and Acute Pain Services.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he found immense fulfilment in teaching, leaving an indelible mark on numerous students who went on to become medical doctors and renowned anaesthetists. Rising from a Senior Lecturer to the Chair in Anaesthesiology, he displayed a deep commitment to education, crafting the blueprint for postgraduate training and certification in Anaesthesiology, resulting in the Master in Anaesthesiology program in Malaysia.
Prof Datuk Dr Delilkan’s contributions extended to medical advancements, such as the successful separation of conjoint twins in 1981 and the delivery of quintuplets in 1986. He played a crucial role in introducing the concept of Brain Death and revising the Human Tissue Act to establish the National Transplantation Programme in 1998.
Notably, he remained dedicated to academia, authoring 17 books and publishing over 100 papers. He advocated for a shift from “Anaesthesia” to “Anaesthesiology and Critical Care” in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum. Even at 84, he continued imparting knowledge, teaching Critical Care at multiple universities.
Prof Datuk Dr Delilkan’s multifaceted legacy included his role as an expert witness in courts and his impactful presidency in various medical associations. As a national cricketer and captain from 1955 to 1972, he earned recognition for his prowess, famously bowling out Sir Garfield Sobers’ first ball. This achievement led to his invitation to play for the International Cavaliers in England in 1967.
In bidding farewell to this exceptional individual, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, express deep gratitude for his extraordinary contributions and recognizing the profound impact Prof Datuk Dr Delilkan had on the field of anaesthesiology and beyond. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, wife Datin Prabha Senan, and their four children – Anne, Sharu, Melanie and Rienzie. Though he is gone, his legacy as a teacher, mentor, athlete, and visionary leader will endure in the hearts and minds of those he touched.