PROF. LAWSON DOUGLAS, 2000

Country's foremost kidney specialist

PROFESSOR LAWSON Douglas is the country's foremost kidney specialist.

In fact, the recipient of The Gleaner's Honour Award of Excellence in 2000 has dedicated his entire life to saving kidney patients.

His Herculean efforts were on display for all of Jamaica to see during his famous 400-mile walk around the island in 1999, to raise funds to assist persons afflicted with kidney disease. The walk took on added significance when it was revealed that the then 66-year-old professor had a triple bypass. It was largely for that walk effort that he was honoured by The Gleaner.

The walk was aimed at raising $15 million for the Kidney Foundation of Jamaica, and although he did not raise the projected sum, he has kept on walking.

The urologist and pioneer in renal research makes a constant plea for donations and support for patients suffering from kidney failure. He made one such appeal shortly after receiving the 2000 Gleaner Honour Award at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.

He pointed out that more than 700 Jamaicans are diagnosed with the end stage of renal (kidney) failure each year, the majority of whom die because of their inability to access proper care. Apart from being an expensive disease, the number of dialysis machines available locally is inadequate. As a result, the professor is continuing his fundraising efforts to make life better for his unfortunate countrymen.

For his efforts he was last year's sole recipient of the Musgrave Gold Medal for his work in Science.