In memoriam Professor A.M. El-Hassan

Prof Ahmed Mohamed El-Hassan, a pathologist by training, was an excellent researcher, clinician, and teacher / mentor. He understood the importance of a holistic approach to the patient with input from clinicians, basic scientists, entomologists, and others, as these are complementary and essential for clinical management and control efforts. In addition, he was interested in veterinary medicine and the concepts that we now consider under One Health. Although he held several high positions including as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Sudan, his microscope was never far away and in fact had a permanent place on his desk at the Ministry.

He thoroughly enjoyed seeing patients in the field, during our bi-annual surveys on the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in Gedaref state, and brainstorming about how to best address their needs through research. He was clear that all patients presenting during the surveys need attending to such as patients with leprosy; he would make sure to bring appropriate drugs for them. His wide field of interest also included mycetoma, for which he described the pathology.

His leadership in the Leishmaniasis Research Group of the University of Khartoum resulted in multiple scientific publications that were considered of high impact in the field of leishmaniasis and, particularly, post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). It was no surprise that he received (among many other awards and prizes) the Donald Mackay medal from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (UK) for his work. That scientific excellence, and commitment to patients’ health should be an example to all of us.

 

Ed Zijlstra, November 2022

Founding member of the Leishmaniasis Research Group of the University of Khartoum

Figure: Cover page of a publication on his life and work
Sudan Medical Heritage Foundation,
Sudan Currency Printing Press, 2008

 

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