AMU mourns Prof Sifat Afzal

Aligarh: Superannuated faculty member of the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and professor of medicine, Professor Sifat Afzal passed away at a Bhopal hospital.

The late professor served as the Chairperson, Department of Medicine and Provost, S N Hall. She consulted patients at the Neurology Clinic along with the Medicine OPD. Seizures and other neurological issues were her focus areas.

“Prof Sifat taught generations of graduate and post-graduate students, many of whom went on to prestigious academic and practice positions in India and around the world. She maintained a close relationship with her students, who held her in high esteem”, said AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor.

He added that the sad demise is a personal loss to him.

“Prof Sifat would listen carefully to her patients, ask pertinent questions, perform the crucial parts of the medical investigations, and come to the diagnosis, which was never wrong”, said Prof Rakesh Bhargava (Dean, Faculty of Medicine).

Prof Shahid Ali Siddiqui (Principal, JNMC) said that Prof Sifat will always be remembered for her superb clinical skills and strict discipline.

Prof Sifat completed her MD (Medicine) in the 1970s at a time when it was rare for a female student to pursue the course. She was also known to have inspired many female students to study MD (Medicine). She laid special emphasis on case sheets, case history, and ethics in patient care.

During her long and enduring career, Prof Sifat published numerous papers in peer-reviewed journals, wrote book chapters, and edited books.

Her husband, Prof Shakoor (Former Chairman, Department of Anaesthesia, JNMC) is also undergoing treatment at a Bhopal hospital.