Nalliah Sivananthan
NHS GP and co-founder of community voluntary organizations in the UK
Nalliah Sivananthan. (b. 1945q. Colombo,
University of Ceylon, Sri Lanka 1971;
MBBS, MRCOG.) Died after a short illness on 20th April 2021.
Dr Sivananthan was a GP Partner for 32 years in the Alexandra Surgery, Wood Green, London N22. Over the years he developed a modern, education based GP surgery. He was an energetic and caring GP and made effort to support various immigrant communities in his practice area to gain access to NHS services. The Alexandra surgery is a member of North Central London Clinical Commission Group (NCL-CCG) which described Dr Sivananthan as an innovative and forward thinking GP. He served on the Enfield and Haringey medical audit advisory group and also pioneered self-directed learning (SDL) groups in North London. London Deanery appointed him as a Postgraduate GP tutor. He was also a GP appraiser and a member of a primary care network governing body. He enjoyed working in his surgery and remained a Partner.
Early life and career
Nalliah Sivananthan (friends called him Siva) was born on the islet of Kayts, Sri Lanka. Both his parents were teachers. Siva was educated at St John’s College, Jaffna. After his medical school graduation he worked in Sri Lankan hospitals including Jaffna Teaching Hospital and then came to the UK in 1979 for postgraduate studies in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. After passing his MRCOG he held registrar jobs in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in various hospitals in the UK and went onto train to become a GP.
Voluntary Service
Siva was proud of his Ceylon Tamil heritage and a strong advocate of voluntary service. He co-founded with colleagues the Tamil Information Centre for the advocacy of human rights during and after the civil war in Sri Lanka along with the Medical Institute of Tamils (MIOT) UK to coach international medical graduates for the PLAB exam and “give a voice for the health related issues in North and East Sri Lanka during the civil war”. Siva contributed to other initiatives for the welfare of people in the UK and Sri Lanka. In addition Siva spent many happy hours working in his home garden. Siva supported volunteering enthusiastically which complemented his amiable, friendly manner and strong social conscience. He was a good example of balancing professional life and personal life with strong commitment to voluntary service. Siva leaves behind his wife, Yogeswary, daughters Anusha, Abhirami, Atheetha, grandchildren, brothers, sisters and parents.
Dr M.Selvaratnam
