This evening, as we gather to honour Dr. Badhesha Jagdev Singh s/o Bakhtawar Singh with this posthumous AOEMM Lifetime Achievement Award, we celebrate a life marked by unparalleled dedication, profound expertise, and unyielding spirit. Dr. Jagdev, as he was fondly known who passed away on June 5, 2024, was a pioneering force in aviation medicine and a steadfast figure in Malaysia’s civil aviation history. His remarkable career spanned over six decades, making him arguably the world’s oldest serving Chief Medical Assessor and Medical Examiner until his retirement in 2021.
Born on June 27, 1931, Dr. Jagdev’s journey began in Malaysia, where his formative years were shaped by a strong sense of discipline and a commitment to excellence, traits that would define his professional life, as a medical doctor from the University of Adelaide, Australia.
In 1963, Dr. Jagdev joined the Drs Young, Newton and Partners Clinic in Kuala Lumpur. After retiring from Drs Young, Newton and Partners in 1980, Dr. Jagdev served Esso Production Malaysia Inc. as its Medical Advisor until June 1996 when he handed it over to Dr Abu Hasan Samad. He brought in Dr Abu as his Assistant Medical Advisor in January 1992 and to Dr Abu, who is our AOEMM President, he was his “Uncle” for occupational and corporate health. Indeed, he remained as “Uncle” to many OH doctors and OH specialists in Malaysia.
Dr. Jagdev’s career in aviation medicine began in the early 1960s, when he was among the few professionals qualified to screen aircrew in Malaysia. His expertise, pivotal in developing aviation medicine infrastructure. He underwent basic aviation medicine training at the Royal Air Force Base in Singapore and later became a cornerstone in the establishment of the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Kuala Lumpur.
His tenure with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), which began in 1976, saw him serving with unwavering commitment for 45 years. Dr. Jagdev’s role as CAAM’s Chief Medical Assessor was instrumental in ensuring the highest standards of health and safety in aviation. His contribution extended beyond his formal duties; he was also a key figure in formulating Malaysia’s Occupational Safety and Health Act, reflecting his broader impact on occupational health and safety in addition to holding imminent posts in the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Malaysia (SOEM), and last, not the least, involved in formulating the constitution for the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Malaysia (AOEMM) together with a few others. He served the AOEMM Council for many years. In 1997, Dr. Jagdev led the Organising Committee for the 15th Asian Congress on Occupational Health (ACOH 1997) which was held in Kuala Lumpur, and it was the very first time for Malaysia to host ACOH which drew more than 900 local and international delegates.
In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Jagdev was a celebrated sportsman in hockey and cricket. His prowess in cricket, where he captained the national team and achieved notable success, is a testament to his versatility, dedication, leadership and teamwork skills.
Dr. Jagdev’s legacy is not confined to his professional and athletic achievements. His response to the 1969 racial riots in Kuala Lumpur, where he provided emergency medical treatment under chaotic conditions, exemplifies his courage and resilience to the suffering and less fortunate.
His contributions have left an indelible mark on Malaysia’s medical and aviation communities. This award serves as a recognition of his extraordinary career and the profound legacy he leaves behind. Dr. Badhesha Jagdev Singh’s life was a testament to dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment, and his memory will continue to inspire future generations while we in the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Malaysia shall cherish the good memories of him.
“A Champion of Aviation Medicine: We honour a legacy of unparalleled care, A life’s work etched in the Annals of Occupational Medicine, forever inspiring and profound.”
We have the great honour, now, in inviting Madam Neeta S. Singh, his wife to receive the AOEMM Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 on his behalf.
Article written by Dr Abu Hasan Samad, AOEMM President