Dato’ Devaraj began his journey with a passion for healthcare and deep compassion for those in need. His early career was distinguished by a relentless pursuit of excellence and an unwavering commitment to his patients.

 

Dato’ Devaraj was conferred the honorary Doctor of Letters in 2022 in recognition of his exceptional contributions and services to the medical community, notably in promoting cancer awareness and palliative care.

 

He started his career as medical officer with the Ministry of Health, Singapore (1952-1954), and subsequently served with the Ministry of Health, Malaya as a medical officer in Johor. From 1959 to 1979, Dato’ Devaraj was a consultant physician in Kuantan and Alor Setar before becoming an Honorary Consultant Physician at the Penang Adventist Hospital from 1979 to 1991. He was appointed Chancellor of the International Medical University from 2011 to 2013.

 

In his medical career, Dato’ Devaraj was an elected member of the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) from 1979 to 2000 and a founding member of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), where he was elected President in 1983. He chaired the MMC Ethics Committee from 1985 to 2000 and was a member of the MMA Foundation from 1982 to 2000.

 

Dato’ Devaraj was one of the founding fathers of palliative care in Malaysia and remains actively involved in palliative care work even now. He is currently Vice Chairman of the National Cancer Society, Penang Branch, and a board member of the national Cancer Society Malaysia.

 

In the early 1990s, Dato’ Devaraj recognized a substantial gap in the care provided to terminally ill patients. He envisioned a system where every individual could receive compassionate and comprehensive care in their final days. This vision led to the establishment of the hospice and palliative care movement in Malaysia.

 

He helped launch hospice services in Penang in 1992 and served as the Vice Chairman of the Penang Hospice Society (PHS) since 2001. He later assumed the role of Chairman of PHS and continues to hold this position till today. Dato’ Devaraj also chaired the Malaysian Hospice Council for five terms from its inception in 1998 (1998-2000, 2004-2008, 2010-2014). He remains an esteemed advisor to the Malaysian Hospice and Palliative Care Council board.

 

Dato’ Devaraj has been a role model to medical professionals, promoting professional ethics and the pursuit of excellence. His exemplary service to society has garnered him numerous awards from the state governments of Kedah and Penang, the Federal Government, as well as the Caring Physicians of the World Award in 2005 from the World Medical Association.

 

Under his leadership numerous hospice facilities were established, bringing comfort and dignity to countless patients and their families. His work has inspired many and continues to move a new generation of palliative care professionals to pursue this mission.

 

Dato’ Devaraj’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those he touched and in the continued efforts to provide compassionate care. We honour him today and invite you to join us in paying tribute to a true pioneer in palliative care.