Dr Mahadevan, Malaysia’s ‘father of modern psychiatry’, dies

PETALING JAYA: Dr M Mahadevan, the founding president of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association, has died at the age of 96.

Mahadevan, dubbed “the father of modern psychiatry” in Malaysia, also previously served as the government’s chief psychiatrist.

Born on Sept 9, 1929, Mahadevan grew up in Kuala Lumpur and studied at St John’s Institution before completing his medical studies in Bangalore, India, in 1961.

He was then invited to work with John Dunne, professor of psychiatry at University College Dublin, where he made further developments in the field, particularly in hypnosis.

Harvard University named a travelling fellowship after Mahadevan, who was the first Malaysian president of the International College of Psychosomatic Medicine’s Asian chapter.

He was also the first director of the Central Mental Hospital in Tanjung Rambutan, Perak, which he renamed Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta.

Members of the public may pay their last respects at 32, Lorong Lee Hin Neo 1, Ukay Heights, Kuala Lumpur, from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm today and tomorrow.

The funeral service will be held at the same address on Thursday at 9.30am followed by the cremation service at the Sentul Hindu Crematorium at 12pm.