Mumbai: Dr. B.K. Goyal (82), who headed the cardiology department at Bombay Hospital, died of a cardiac arrest at his Breach Candy residence on Tuesday. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Dr. N.O. Bansal, head of the cardiology department at JJ Hospital, said, “He was among the pioneers of cardiology and developed it as an important speciality. He witnessed the growth of the field as new technology like echocardiography, angiography and angioplasty emerged.”
Dr. Bansal was among the 100-odd cardiologists who were trained by Dr. Goyal when he headed JJ Hospital’s cardiology department in the 1980s. Dr. Bansal said that Dr. Goyal known for his precision in clinical cardiology. He said, “We often see patients taking multiple opinions. But for Dr. Goyal’s patients, his word was final.”
Dr. Goyal was an honorary consultant cardiologist to the armed forces and served as the Sheriff of Bombay in 1980. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 1989 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2005. He was close to former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and the Gandhi family. His patients included former governors of Maharashtra P.C. Alexander, K. Sankaranarayanan and current Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao.
Dr. Goyal did not suffer from any major ailment after cardiac surgeon Dr. Sudhanshu Bhattacharya performed a bypass surgery on him in 1997. Doctors at Bombay Hospital, where Dr. Goyal served for over 50 years, remembered him as a workoholic. “Even at this age, he would come to the hospital for a late night call,” said physician Dr. Gautam Bhansali. He said that Dr. Goyal had carried out nine angiography and angioplasty procedures on Monday and was in hospital till 8.30 p.m.
Dr. Goyal’s last rites will be performed at Banganga on Wednesday morning.
