Pioneers of paediatrics: Professor Salah Abdelrahman Ali Taha, MD (U of K), DCH, PRCP (London), FRCP (Edin)

Abstract

This article highlights the contributions of Professor Salah Abdelrahman Ali Taha (1927-1988), one of the pioneers in paediatrics in Sudan and Saudi Arabia. He graduated from Kitchener School of Medicine (renamed, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum[U of K]) in 1952 and was awarded an MD from the U of K in 1973, having accomplished a survey on the prevalence and underlying causes of childhood malnutrition in 14 villages. His impact was remarkable in establishing child health services in Sudan and Saudi Arabia, and in laying the foundation of the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University. He was also an active researcher in various fields in child health, and was pioneering in those related to nutrition. Following his return to Sudan, Dr Salah A Taha was elected Member of Parliament from his rural district in Gezira State and was the Speaker of the House of Parliament in 1986.

Keywords: Child health; King Saud University College of Medicine; Medical education; Pioneer of paediatrics; Salah Abdelrahman Ali Taha; Saudi Arabia; Sudan; University of Khartoum Faculty of Medicine.

Figure 1

Graduates of Kitchener School of Medicine in 1952. Dr Salah Abdelrahman Ali Taha (standing, third from right) and sitting are Dr Khalda Zahir (second from left) and Dr Zarouhi Sarkissian (second from right), the first female graduates [3].

Figure 2

Dr Salah Taha was able to hold an International Sudanese Paediatric Conference at Wad Medani in 1967. The Conference was addressed by The Sudan President, Ismail Alazhari (standing ) and attended by the Minister of Health (Dr Abdelhameed Salih, second from left), as well as Salah’s father (Abdelrahman Ali Taha, fifth from left). Attending also was Dr Ali Badri (the first Sudanese Minister of Health, first from left) and Dr Abdel Halim Mohamed (fourth from left, the first Sudanese to be a member and fellow of the Royal College of Physitians, in London, in 1948; and Member of Sudan Presidential Council [6]).

Figure 3

At the Dinner of the 17th International Paediatric Association Conference in Manilla (November 1983), The Phillipines. Prof Salah Taha (second from left ) in a discussion with Prof Hafiz Elshazali (Ex-President of the Sudan Association of Paediatricians [SAP] and current Member of the Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics [SJP] Editorial Board). Far left: Prof Abelmoneim Elseed (Ex-President of SAP and former Editor-in – Chief of SJP). Second from right: Prof Mustafa Abdalla M Salih (current International Editor of SJP).

Figure 4

At the 17th International Paediatric Association Conference in Manilla (November 1983). Prof Salah Taha (right) in a discussion with Prof Mustafa Abdalla M Salih (current International Editor of SJP).