Dr. Kaikhushroo M. Masani had a very longstanding association with the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India. He is one of the many stalwarts who has been responsible for raising this very Journal to its present standard. He was hailed as the ‘Indefatigable Editor’ by former BOGS Presidents Dr. J. Jhirad and Dr. Gool N. Vazifdar at the Silver Jubilee of the Journal, in 1975. That was his spirit while working at the Journal. Dr. K. M. Masani devoted all his time and energy to the Journal, to ensure not only that the issues were on time but also that the presentation was excellent. He was associated with the journal since its inception in 1950 and was its Chief Editor from 1968 to 1986.
In another fitting tribute to Dr. Masani, reigning SAFOG President Dr. D. K. Tank said, ‘He raised the image of our country through the high standards of the Journal’.
Born in Poona, India, on the 15th February 1903, Dr. Masani always had an outstanding career as a student. He joined Grant Medical College in 1921 and qualified as medical graduate from the University of Bombay in 1926. He was awarded the Sir Charles Morehead Prize and the Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy Gold Medal for his outstanding perforformance in his studies at Grant medical college.
After resident appointments at the Sir J. J. Group of Hospitals, he proceeded to England for further studies. After graduating from the Medical College of London, he obtained his FRCS in 1931. He followed it up by doing his MD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of London in 1933. Incidentally, at that point of time, he was the only second Indian to have done so.
On his return to Bombay, towards the end of 1934, he was appointed as Assistant Obstetrician to the Bai Motlibai Hospital in 1935. In 1937, he was appointed as Assistant Gynaecologist to the King Edward VII Memorial (K.E.M.) Hospital. In 1941, he was made Honorary Gynaecologist-in-charge of one of the two units of the K.E.M. Hospital and became Honorary Lecturer in Gynaecology at the Seth G.S. Medical College. In the same year, he was appointed as Honorary Obstetrician to the Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital in-charge in one of the four units and became its Honorary Principal Medical Officer in 1945. He served K.E.M. Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College until his retirement in 1958. He retired from the Wadia Hospital in 1965.
During his long tenure at the Wadia Hospital, he strove constantly to raise the standards and prestige of the institute. The establishment of the Resident Medical Officers’ and the postgraduates' quarters and premature babies’ ward was mainly due to his persevering efforts. It was his dream to make the hospital a full teaching institution by having gynaecological wards in conjunction with the obstetrics wards, but sadly, it was only realised after his retirement. In recognition of his long honorary services to the institution, the Board of Management did him an honour by naming the Gynaecologic ward of the Hospital, Dr. K. M. Masani Ward.
Dr. Masani’s chief interest has always been teaching postgraduates and undergraduates. He was the first to organise postgraduate teaching in Obstetrics and gynecology in teaching institutes of the city. He made a name and achieved popularity among his colleagues and students alike. Much of this accomplishment was due to his pleasant and amiable temperament.
Dr. Masani became the 10th President of the Bombay Obstetric and Gynaecological Society in 1952. He later went on to also become the President of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGS1) in 1966.
He has to his credit several text books in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which have received commendations from all over the world and have proven to be of real help and guidance to students. Among the most notable ones are his monograph on Ectopic Pregnancy (1949), the Text Book of Gynaecology (1954) and the Text Book on Obstetrics (1964). The latter two have seen several editions over the years. Dr. Masani died in his sleep on the 24th December 1988. But his outstanding services to the society and the journal in particular will always remain as a part of folklore.