S Shan Ratnam
Emeritus Professor S Shan Ratnam (full name Sittampalam s/o Shanmugaratnam) (4 July 1928, Ceylon to 6 August 2001, Singapore) was the professor and head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Singapore's National University Hospital specialising in human reproduction research. Sex reassignment surgery for transgender people was his research interest for three decades and his forte. He performed Singapore's first sex change operation in 1971.
At the peak of his career, he represented Singapore as the secretary general of the Asia and Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (AOFOG) and was a member of the executive board, president-elect and president of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). Through these two organisations, he helped place Singapore on the international medical arena and established himself as a prominent figure in the O&G world.
His work on contraception contributed to Singapore's success in population control. The National University Hospital research laboratory for prostaglandin research was initiated and propelled by his vision and energy. He was also the founder of the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme which has given hope to many childless couples. Sittampalam Shanmugaratnam shortened his own name to Shan Ratnam, and he is credited as S Shan Ratnam or SS Ratnam in all official media.
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