Hospital and colleagues honour late anaesthetist Dr Adul Ballim
Durban - Management, staff and practitioners of Netcare uMhlanga Hospital and Umhlanga Eye Institute join the medical community in paying tribute to the memory of esteemed anaesthesiologist Dr Abdul Rahim Abbas Ballim, who sadly passed away on 15 November 2024, aged 66.
“We wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to Dr Ballim’s wife, children and loved ones, and to his family, for whom he was not only a provider but a source of unwavering love and pride. On behalf of everyone who had the privilege to know and work alongside him during his long association with the Netcare group, we extend them strength in this most difficult of times,” says Wendy Beato, general manager of Netcare uMhlanga Hospital.
Born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on 23 October 1958, Dr Ballim lived a life marked by service, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of his career and personal life. “He will be remembered as an exceptional anaesthesiologist, teacher, mentor, and beloved member of the medical community,” she says.
Dr Ballim’s medical career began with his graduation from the Government Medical College in Rohtak, India, where he earned his MBBS. When he returned to South Africa, he passed the South African Medical and Dental Council qualifying examinations and completed his internship and early training at King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban.
Dr Ballim's natural talent and passion for medicine led him to pursue advanced training. He earned his Fellowship at the College of Anaesthesia (South Africa) and acquired multiple prestigious international certifications, including from Canada and the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners.
“Dr Ballim brought expertise and a steady hand to every operating room he entered. His ability to perform challenging procedures, including carotid endarterectomies under regional anaesthesia, laparoscopic gastric bypasses, and advanced thoracic and neurosurgical cases, set him apart as a leader in his field,” adds ophthalmologist Dr Nasser Khan who worked closely with Dr Ballim at Netcare Umhlanga Eye Institute.
Colleagues noted that his expertise also extended to chronic pain management, where Dr Ballim pioneered and advocated for cutting-edge treatments coupled with compassionate care.
“Dr Ballim’s work encompassed technical brilliance and an innate empathy. Patients trusted him not only for his skill but also for his humanity, and his calming presence in some of the most critical moments brought reassurance to those under his care. He also had the trust and respect of everyone he worked with,” Dr Khan says.
“Dr Ballim touched countless lives beyond the operating theatre as an educator who was deeply committed to shaping the next generation of medical professionals. He taught registrars, medical officers, and residents with enthusiasm, delivering lectures and guiding trainees in South Africa and abroad.”
The wider community came to know Dr Ballim as he hosted the popular ‘Medical File’ programme on Radio Al Ansaar for several years.
“Outside of medicine, Dr Ballim’s zest for life was evident in his many interests. His hobbies, which included travelling, ballroom dancing, hiking, and a love of sports, revealed a man who embraced life with enthusiasm and joy,” Beato says.
“Dr Ballim’s legacy will endure not only in the countless lives he saved but also in the innumerable hearts he touched. The loss of Dr Ballim leaves a void that cannot be filled; however, his life stands as a testament to what it means to live with purpose, kindness, and excellence,” Beato concludes.
Leave a Comment