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Obituary: Mohammed Ismail Motala

Ahmed Ismail Motala

This is a tribute to Dr Mohammed Ismail Motala, a specialist ophthalmologist who passed away on 9 September 2021 at the age of 46. Mohammed was an energetic, enthusiastic, gentle and humble individual who had a passion for the improvement of ophthalmic care in South Africa. He was a loving son, a caring husband, a protective brother and a devoted father.

Mohammed was the eldest son of Dr I A Motala, a general practitioner from Tongaat. He completed his undergraduate training at the Medical University of South Africa and served his internship at R K Khan Hospital. Following his community service at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban, he spent a year gaining experience in paediatrics, ophthalmology and general surgery in New Zealand. He returned to South Africa to commence his specialist training at the University of Cape Town (UCT; Groote Schuur Hospital and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital). Upon completion of his specialist training, which included obtaining Fellowship of the College of Ophthalmologists of South Africa and a Master of Medicine (MMed) degree at UCT, he was appointed as a consultant ophthalmologist at the University of Pretoria (Steve Biko Academic Hospital) and gained further experience in refractive surgery. His desire for personal and academic improvement led him to pursue a year-long subspecialist fellowship in glaucoma surgery at the University of Nottingham. Following these formative years, he devoted himself to the service of patients in his private practice, which served patients from across KwaZulu-Natal and from elsewhere in South Africa. He attended many local and international conferences and organised successful teaching programmes for local general practitioners and optometrists.

Mohammed was extensively involved in charitable work and assisted many deserving patients throughout his career. He never turned away anyone who could not afford his services, and provided the highest level of care to all. He was also exceptionally generous in sharing his skills and knowledge with registrars and colleagues. He continued to serve his patients during the COVID pandemic, and set an exceptionally high standard in ensuring the safety and health of the community.

He is survived by his loving parents and siblings, his wife and his children Fathima and Bibi Aisha. May God grant him the highest stages of paradise and give his family sublime patience.

Ahmed Ismail Motala

Specialist anatomical pathologist, Dr A I Motala Laboratories, Durban, South Africa. a_motala@yahoo.com