Ernest Borges | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Ernest Borges | |
| Born | Ernest Joachim Joseph Borges 1909 (1909) |
| Died | 3 March 1969(1969-03-03) (aged 59–60) Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India |
| Education | MBBS,MS,Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) |
| Alma mater | Grant Medical College,University of Bombay |
| Occupation(s) | Oncologist, Cancer Surgeon |
| Known for | Pioneeringcancer treatment in India |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Awards | Padma Shri (1966) Order of St. Gregory the Great |
Ernest Joachim Joseph BorgesFRCS (1909 - 3 March 1969) was an Indian oncologist and cancer surgeon known for his contributions to the field ofoncology in India. He pioneeredcancer treatment in India during a period whenradiation therapy andchemotherapy were in their early stages of development, while surgery remained the predominant option for cancer patients.[1] He served as the Director and Superintendent ofTata Memorial Hospital from 1967 to 1969.[2] In 1966, he was honored with thePadma Shri, the third highest civilian award, by the Government of India.[3]
Ernest Joachim Joseph Borges was born inBombay (now Mumbai) in 1909 to Cajetan Francis Borges and Inez de Nazaré.[1] The family was fromUcassaim,Goa.[4]
Borges received his early education atSt. Teresa's High School inGirgaon and later attendedSt. Xavier's High School and College inDhobitalao. He pursued his medical degree (MBBS) fromGrant Medical College and furthered his studies by obtaining an MS degree with distinction from theUniversity of Bombay. He went on to pursue aFellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) inEngland. He was trained atMemorial Hospital inNew York.[1]
Borges joined Tata Memorial Hospital in Bombay, where he served as a chief surgeon for nearly three decades. His expertise in esophageal cancer surgery, particularly noteworthy during a time when few dared to undertake such procedures, earned him acclaim both nationally and internationally. He was instrumental in establishing Tata Memorial Hospital as a premier institution for cancer treatment in India.[citation needed]
He was closely associated with theCatholic Church. He served as president for three terms at the St. Luke's Medical Guild, an organization of Catholic medical professionals established by the thenArchbishop of Bombay.[1] He was the editor of the medical journal, the Catholic Medical Bulletin, which was published by the Archdiocese of Bombay.[3] He served as the President of the Indian Federation of Catholic Medical Guilds since 1964.[5] He was also elected as the vice president of the International Federation of Catholic Medical Associations in 1966.[2]
Borges married Gracie Soares on 27 April 1946. The couple had six children, however, one of their daughters survived for only one day.[1] He is the father of oncopathologistAnita Borges and evolutionary biologistRenee Borges.[6] In 1964, he and his wife had a private audience withPope Paul VI when the Pope visited India for theEucharistic congress.[1]
Borges died of cancer[4] on 3 March 1969 at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.[7]
In 1966, he was honored with thePadma Shri by thePresident of India,Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, in recognition of his contributions to the field of medicine.[3]
He received theKnighthood of theOrder of St. Gregory the Great from thePope and was also honored with theOrder of the Privy Chamberlain, Cape, and Sword for his dedicated service to suffering humanity. He was the recipient of the Charles Morehead Prize inClinical Medicine.[4]
The Goa Branch of theIndian Cancer Society released cancer seals/stamps featuring his photo on September 7, 1971, commemorating Ernest's birth anniversary.[1]
Borges was also a philanthropist, and he establishedErnest's Ark: The Dr. Ernest Borges Memorial Home in Mumbai, which provides care and support to cancer patients and their families.[7]
Borges' life and work are the subject of a biography book titled,In Ernest Quest: EJ Borges, Legendary and Revered Cancer Surgeon, written by his daughterRenee Borges. The book was released in January 2023 and covers all aspects of Borges' life and lifestyle, including his personal and professional relationships, his research, and his contributions to the field of oncology. The book also includes eulogies and tributes from colleagues and patients who knew and worked with Borges.[7][1][8][9]
Roads named after him include Dr. Ernest Borges Road in front ofTata Memorial Hospital inParel, Mumbai,[10] as well as roads inDona Paula andUcassaim,Goa.[4]
Tata Memorial Hospital paid tribute to Ernest Borges' centenary and his contributions to cancer surgery by releasing a handbook on 6 September 2009. The handbook documents his journey as a surgeon and mentor at the hospital.[11]