C. O. Karunakaran
|
Rajyasevanirata Dr. C.O. Karunakaran |
|
|---|---|
| Born | 1892 Mavelikkara |
| Died |
November 30, 1970 Thiruvananthapuram |
| Monuments | Dr. C.O. Karunakaran Auditorium, Dr. C.O. Karunakaran Avenue |
| Nationality | India |
| Alma mater | Madras Medical College |
| Title | Principal, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Term | 1951-52 |
| Successor | Dr. Axel J. Hojer |
| Spouse(s) | Parukutty |
Dr. C. O. Karunakaran, a notable bacteriologist and microbiologist was the founder of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. He was the first principal of the college and was also the Special Officer appointed for establishing the first medical university in the erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin.
Born in 1892 at Mavelikkara, C.O. Karunakaran had his initial schooling in Mavelikkara Government High School. After the intermediate in Maharaja's College, Ernakulam he joined Madras Medical College for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
Following his study in Madras Medical College, he completed DTMH, DPH and DB from University of Cambridge and University of London. He worked for a short period as the Medical Officer of an estate and then as the Health Officer of Thiruvananthapuram. Later he took over as the Superintendent of Public Health Laboratory near Civil Hospital (present Trivandrum General Hospital) at Thiruvananthapuram. Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyer realizing his abilities, sent him to United States of America for industrial training. When he returned he improvised the laboratory and in 1948, he was appointed as the Special Officer for establishing the first medical college in the state of Travancore-Cochin at Trivandrum. With his effort the plans for construction of the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram was finalised in a year and construction of the college completed in just 16 months.
He was appointed as the first principal of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram and Professor of Microbiology. Realizing his dream for getting maximum international exposure to the students of the college, World Health Organization at his request sent the then DHS of Sweden, as an expert. Dr. C.O. Karunakaran then stepped down as Principal and gave the Principalship to Dr. Hojer and continued as Vice Principal under him.. He was also instrumental in bringing many international experts including Dr. Alexander Fleming to the college.
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