Renowned plastic surgeon Dr C Thomas passes away

Dr C Thoma leaves lasting legacy in Oman

Muscat: Dr Chona Thomas, a pioneering plastic surgeon and former Head of Plastic Surgery Services in Oman, passed away in Muscat on Sunday at the age of 84, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in medicine, education and community service in the Sultanate of Oman.

Dr Thomas arrived in Oman in 1971, joining Arrahma Hospital (the American Mission Hospital) in Muttrah during a transformative period in the country’s history. Just a year after His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said assumed power in 1970 and established free public healthcare through the Ministry of Health, Dr Thomas became a key contributor to the nation’s medical development.

In 1974, he headed a surgical unit at Khoula Hospital, a tertiary care facility, and in 1981, he founded Oman’s first plastic surgery unit. From a modest 10-bed department, he expanded it into the largest and most advanced plastic surgery facility in the Middle East, now housing 80 beds and 23 doctors.

Dr Thomas’ exceptional contributions earned him high honours from Oman’s leadership. In 1991, Sultan Qaboos personally granted Omani citizenship to Dr Thomas and his family — the first Indian citizen to receive this distinction —alongside the ‘Order of Oman’ (Civil Service Award) and a plot of land in recognition of his service.

Under his leadership, plastic surgery units were also established in Salalah, Sohar, Nizwa, and Sur, while Khoula Hospital became an academic centre affiliated with Sultan Qaboos University and accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Born in Kaipattoor, Kerala, Dr Thomas completed his medical education at Government Medical College, Trivandrum, and specialised in plastic surgery at the Oxford Group of Hospitals in the UK.

A globally respected expert, he held FRCS and FACS qualifications, served as President of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of Oman, and acted as Regional Adviser for the Middle East with Smile Train.

He also contributed to medical education in Oman as Clinical Associate Professor at Sultan Qaboos University.

Beyond medicine, Dr Thomas played a pivotal role in community and religious initiatives, helping establish the first Indian Orthodox Church in Muscat and several others across Oman.

He is survived by his wife, Shanta, and two children, Dr Tenny John Thomas and Dr Tejjy Mathew Thomas. 'Legacy of a Plastic Surgeon', a biography chronicling his life, was released on November 17, 2020.

From a schoolboy in Kerala to a national icon in Oman, Dr Thomas’ life reflects unwavering dedication, mentorship, and innovation, leaving an enduring mark on healthcare and community life in the Sultanate and beyond.