Dr Kamaruddin to bid farewell to Bahrain

Manama : Dr. A Kamaruddin, former Indian School Bahrain (ISB) chairman and a renowned doctor, is bidding farewell to Bahrain after 28 years of meritorious service. 

He was in the forefront of social activities in the Kingdom and contributed much to the advancement of ISB, which has emerged as one of the largest community schools in the Gulf now. He will leave Bahrain on June 4

When did you move to Bahrain?

I reached Bahrain in July 1988 as a company doctor for Shaikh Isa Air base project. Later, I joined BDF Hospital as a casualty medical officer in 1990-2002. I’ve worked for the Ministry of Health from 2002-09, Shifa Al Jazeera Medical centre for three years and currently I have been working at KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre for the last five years.

What were your achievements as ISB chairman?

I was elected to Executive Committee (EC) of  ISB in 1997 and during the next election in 1999, I was elected the chairman. We wiped out all the financial deficiencies of the past and brought the school to a sound position for the first time in its history. 

We also constructed the Golden Jubilee building from the surplus money of BD105,000 and handed over around BD300,000 to the next EC. There were many things I was able to introduce for the first time in the school history such as securing a stable financial position, reducing transportation fees, selling textbooks and exercise books at its cost price, career exhibitions that are still carried out annually and automation of fee collection.

Do you feel your committee left a positive impact on the school?

It was a golden era for ISB as far as finances, academics and discipline are concerned. My committee is the only one so far that escaped from any financial allegations of corruption.

Which is one of your fondest memories here?

A major breakthrough in my social life was attending the National Dialogue in 2011 conducted by the speaker Khalifa Al Dhahrani. I was one of the few Indians present at the event.

Leadership comes naturally to you. Which are some of the organisations you were in charge of?

Besides chairing ISB, I was the advisory board member of The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF). I was also the President of Sir Syed College Alumni, Focus Bahrain, Falcon Toastmasters, and Surya Social and Charitable Society, in addition to being the general convener of the ISB Fair for the years 2002 and 2010. 

Compared to your successful social services, how has your medical career panned out?

I have worked in almost all the Government hospitals in Bahrain including BDF, SMC and all Govt. Health Centres and airport clinics. I was the only Indian male doctor appointed into health centres by the Ministry of Health.

Are you happy with ISB now?

I was one among the few leaders who was highly instrumental in electing the present EC. Unfortunately they couldn’t live up to the expectations of the parents. I don’t want to comment much about it.  

A little about your family?

I have four sons; the youngest two are twins. The eldest son Dr Ebrahim Khaleel and his wife are dentists in the UAE, while the second son Dr Ali Zameel has a PG in community medicine and is working in Mukkam Medical College in Kozhikode, Kerala. The twins just completed Class XII and are looking for higher studies in India. My wife Bilqees has retired from Kannur Government Women’s College in Kerala as a professor.