PROFILE
"Just Edinburgh" By Colin Baxter Photography. Printed in Scotland.
Prof. Jim Farquhar
An Ambassador of Global Virtue
On Tuesday, 16 June 1998, the world lost one of its renowned ambassadors. The Scottish paediatrician Jim Farquhar passed away after being diagnosed with cancer of the prostate in August of last year. After intensive therapeutic efforts, his illness did not respond to any treatment.
I was extremely moved by his wife's note to me. She mentioned in her letter that Dr. Farquhar [...his funeral was a celebration of his life in which his friends and family had lunch in the garden which Jim designed and planted himself and of which he was so proud].
In 1976, I met the eminent paediatric endocrinologist and
diabetologist in Edinburgh, Scotland where he committed himself
to supporting and caring for all non-British nationals affiliated
to his great university. Dr. Farquhar's friendly smile, warm
embracing heart, and supportive manner gained him much respect
for all who knew or heard of him. He spent so many years of his
life in Edinburgh helping non-British citizens adapt to their
place or work, study or residence. In doing so, he pushed them to
enjoy their stay in Scotland, always advertising its hospitable
people, distinguished colleges & research centres, eminent
scientists, enchanting castles, and breathtaking scenery.
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Prof. Farquhar, as head of the paediatric department in Edinburgh University who supervised a cultural mosaic of postgraduate students and research fellows spoke to me one day, exclaiming: "Every baby's life must be nourished with two ingredients - GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT. Both of them are two sides of one precious coin. They have to be present in each person, family, kindred, village, community, city, and even countries."
From his vast experience as an esteemed paediatrician and teacher and from his observations during his frequent scientific visits to American, African, Asian, European and Russian colleges, he became more convinced and advocated the idea of a New World Order (NWO) that he felt must be established on the triad of PEACE + GROWTH + DEVELOPMENT.
Prof. Farquhar, a man of wisdom and great faith, lived as an idealist, looking for a world with no conflicts and controversies. His dreams were so simple and beautiful "A smile for every baby, family and community from any ethnocultural background, inspite of race, colour or religion".
With Prof. A. Cuschirie (Malta) and
Dr. Magda El-Badramany (Kuwait)
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In 1976, Prof. Farquhar with his colleague and friend Prof. John Forfar established Edinburgh School of community paediatrics. This high-calibre academy, is considered by the WHO to be the ideal model for providing any community with new paediatricians, nurses, and social workers. This model is based on cohesive partnership between the professions and the immersion with primary health services.
With Profs. Bayoumi (Alexandria), M. El-Banna (Cairo), M. Y. Al-Khalifa (Sudan), Salem Dahabra (Jordan) and T.I. Farag (Canada)
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Dear Prof. Jim Farquhar,
I will always remember you as a great professor, teacher and friend. I will always miss you. Your dreams to have a beautiful new world for our children, grandchildren, friends and neighbours will someday be a reality. For this reason, The Ambassadors will make your proverb its motto and objective for all its issues: Peace, growth and development. As a communo-geneticist, I am highly convinced that Farquhar's golden prescription will help to create knowledgeable generations with healthy genes, healthy environment, and healthy community.
The Ambassadors is honoured to invite Lady Liz Farquhar and Mrs. Mary Low, his daughter, to provide us with Prof. Farquhar's biography in hope of its publication in the next issue.
Your Faithful Student,
Dr. T. I. Farag
MBBCH, DCH, MSc, DMSc, FRCP (Edin)
Adjunct Professor, Dalhousie Univ., Halifax NS, CANADA
e-mail: tfarag@is.dal.ca
