Oncopathologist & teacher, Dr Anita Borges dies at 78

Dr Borges was in Gorakhpur to conduct a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme at Baba Raghav Das Medical College on September 19-20.

Dr Sumeet Gujral, professor of pathology at TMH who was with Dr Borges in her last moments, said, “We were in Gorakhpur as part of a training programme for pathology students from small cities and towns. She passed away right in front of me, in the ambulance on the way to the airport. We were going to take an air ambulance.”

Widely known as the “Queen of Histopathology”, Dr Borges was the daughter of Dr Ernest Borges, the pioneering cancer surgeon and former director of TMH. After completing her MBBS and MD in pathology at Topiwala National Medical College and Nair Hospital, she trained at Royal Marsden Hospital, London, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York. Even though she was offered academic positions overseas, she chose to return to India and was determined to strengthen the country’s cancer care system.

The Indian Cancer Society in its tribute said: “A trailblazing oncopathologist, mentor, beloved leader. Her childhood was closely tied to Tata Memorial Hospital, where she often accompanied her father, Padmashri Dr. Ernest Borges—an eminent cancer surgeon—and it was here that her love for oncology first took root.”

In her five-decade-long career, she headed the surgical pathology department of TMH. She was heading the histopathology department at SL Raheja Hospital and the team and Tata’s Centre for Oncopathology. She also served on the board of the National Accreditation Board for testing & calibrating Laboratories (NABL), Vice President (Asia) of the International Academy of Pathology, and Dean of the Indian College of Pathologists.

Her diagnostic acumen was unparalleled, and her reports were considered definitive in the field of cancer pathology. Dr Borges frequently travelled to smaller cities to share her knowledge, emphasising the importance of precision in pathology.

TMH director Dr C S Parmesh in a note said: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of our beloved colleague Dr Anita Borges… Even in her final moments, she was more concerned about who would complete her teaching session the next, such was her passion for teaching… She was an incredible mentor to hundreds of students who now carry her legacy not only in India, but across the world.”

He said Dr Borges did not limit herself to what was seen under the microscope, but looked into the smallest clinical detail about the patient. He said this all-encompassing approach to diagnosis touched countless lives.

Dr Gujral described her as an extremely honest and humble person, who worked and read tirelessly. He frequently travelled with Dr Borges for the projects they were running together. Even though the government had funded the programme, Dr Borges always paid for her tickets, said Dr Gujral. She said the funds would be used only for the travel of the technicians, and not the doctors.

Dr Gujral said she never liked awards and recognitions. He recounted that once she said if she died, there should be no orations in her name.