The speakers at the Dr. P. Brahmayya Sastry Memorial Oration paid rich tributes to Dr. Podili Brahmayya Sastry, an eminent physiologist, an exemplary researcher, an illustrious teacher and a doyen of physiology in India.

Dr. Sastry was an Emeritus Professor, ICMR Scientist and SMR Scientist and worked for 17 years in the Department of Physiology after his retirement as Principal of Andhra Medical College (AMC). A student of Prof Mc Intosh in Mc Gill University, Canada, Dr. Sastry had pursued his research under his tutelage. From Dr. T. Desi Raju, recipient of Santhi Swaroop Bhatnagar Award, to Dr. T. Ravi Raju, who heralded a new dawn in nephrology through his research on Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) of unknown origin in Srikakulam district, Dr. Sastry had mentored many luminaries in their respective fields.

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, who has received all the three Padma Awards for his contribution to the field of gastroenterology, and Dr. Prabhir Roy Chaudhury, a prominent Nephrologist, and president of American Society of Nephrology, gave the orations.

Dr. Nageshwar Reddy who spoke on the qualities of a ‘good doctor’ called upon medical students to learn to empathise with the patient in addition to acquiring the required skills in their area of specialisation. He expressed regret that empathy has become a rare quality with monetary gains becoming the sole criteria.

Dr. Prabhir Roy Chaudhury who spoke on ‘chronic kidney diseases of unknown origin’ said that no significant research could be done in the last three decades to save kidney patients from the prospect of undergoing frequent dialysis. The inequities in availability of treatment due to high cost was another area of concern. However, some research has been going on, of late, and he hoped that a breakthrough would be achieved soon.

Earlier, Dr. T. Ravi Raju, Chairperson, AMC Centenary Alumni Building Committee dedicated the building to the alma mater.

Dr KVSM Sandhya Devi, Principal, AMC, Dr. SKE Appa Rao, president, AMCOSA, Dr. Manikam Mutyala, president, AMC Association of North America (AMCANA) and Dr. I. Vani, Superintendent, King George Hospital (KGH), and Dr. PV Sudhakar, former Principal, AMC, were among those who participated.