Prof. Murad Ali Lenghi, MCh(Orth), FRCS(Eng) (1936–2024)

Prof. Murad Ali Lenghi, MCh(Orth), FRCS(Eng)

Prof. Murad Ali Lenghi passed away peacefully at home on September 13, 2024. He was a great surgeon, teacher, mentor, medical politician, and leader in his specialty. He was born on June 10, 1936, in Benghazi, Libya. He finished his secondary school education in Benghazi, obtained his medical degree in Cairo from Al-Kasr Al-Aini in 1960, the FRCS (England) and M.Ch.Orth in Orthopedic and Joint Surgery in 1968 for his thesis on “The Shelf Operation.”

On his returned to Libya appointed as the Director of Al-Jalaa Hospital and a faculty member at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi. He became Vice Dean (1970–1973) and Chair, the Department of Surgery (1973–1976) before becoming the Dean of the between 1977 and 1981. He relocated to Tripoli to the Minister of Health between 1981 and 1986 and the Chair of the Orthopedic Surgery at Al-Khadhra Hospital between 1982 and 1986 and at Salah Al-Din Hospital after that. He contributed to directing the completion of the establishment of the Tripoli and Benghazi Medical Centers from 1986 to 1992. When the Tripoli Medical Center was opened, he became the first head of the orthopedic surgery department till his retirement in 2012. Following this, he practiced at the Tripoli Clinic for Rehabilitation in an advisory capacity between 2012 and 2015.

Prof. Lenghi's leadership personality, administrative ability, and clear vision for developing orthopedic surgery, based on his extensive relationships with regional and international institutions, associations, and organizations, were a testament to his calm and balanced personality and high culture, which enabled him to communicate with important and prominent figures in medical education and orthopedic surgery.

He was a good role model in his field as a professor and doctor. He inspired many to follow his commitment to his work. Moving between different roles qualified him to establish relationships, and collaborate. He was an aliquant speaker both in Arabic and English. He was fluent in Italian. He was distinguished in circles of medical education and orthopedic surgery.

He was an avid reader, as you would only find him with a book or scientific magazine in his hand, and he was a distinguished authority in his field and a well-sought-after, experienced advisor. He was very committed to his professional roles. On most occasions, he would be the first to arrive punctually. His morning ward rounds were educational par excellence, and many were keen to attend for benefit from his clinical approach. He invariably speaks and listens with humility with no arrogance or haughtiness.

In Orthopedics, he was attentive to details before performing any surgery to ensure appropriate choice of patients for surgery. He considered prior planning the basis for the success of every surgical operation. He was calm during operations, even when things got out of context, and he would listens to everyone's opinion. He was a modernizer credited with introducing the most up-to-date modern methods in fracture fixation and artificial joints implementing what is being discussed at international conferences and what is being practiced in orthopedic surgery centers in European countries he used to visit particularly the Swiss groups. He played major role in the qualitative shift witnessed by orthopedic surgery in Libya with his great efforts and clear vision. He introduced new surgeries such as endoscopic surgery and artificial joints, which began in Libya in the eighties of the last century. He also introduced new fixators in the field of fractures such as plates and intramedullary nails according to modern biomechanical concepts at that time. He arranged for many doctors to be sent and trained either abroad or through seminars organized domestically.

His career was full of unlimited giving, and he inspired those who came after him to follow his approach. He had a passion for technology. As a human being, Prof. Lenghi had a great sense of humor, was a good listener to everyone he talked to, and was kind-hearted and pleasant. He loved to travel between his two homes and fond of cats. He is survived by his two wives and several sons and daughters, some of whom followed their father's path in various aspects of medicine.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Author's Contribution

S.K.B. is the sole contributor of this obituary.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
27. Dezember 2024