Dr Francisco Colaco
Dr Francisco Colaco enters a new era. He completes 80 years today. Most people know him as a doctor with a kind heart, a cardiologist who ran a small hospital in his own house in Margao in the Holy Spirit Church square.
His hospital helped those in need at a time when there were no such hospitals in Margao. When new hospitals started showing up, he went into an area entered only by a few. He spearheaded the work of echo-cardiography in Margao and got references from doctors all over Goa. He has left clear footprints as a pioneer in echo-cardiography. At this age, he is still considered the best for foetus and infant cardiac irregularity detection. He is the final word to decide if a cardiac intervention is necessary.
Dr Colaco has never marketed himself and always maintained his distance from pharmaceutical companies. He is not known to enjoy their freebies and hospitality. When it comes to ethics he is a rare paragon of virtues. Having secured various awards in the field of echo-cardiography, he became a visiting consultant for many hospitals and a visiting Professor at the John Hopkins Hospital, USA. Dr Colaco is the past President of the Indian Medical Association, Goa Chapter.
He presents papers at National and International Conferences. His research paper on the study of, “Mitral valve prolapse in Goa – A study of familial Myopathy” was well received in international scientific circles. He has also published a rare case of non-compaction of Lav myocardium in association with VSD in an infant, the first of which case was reported in Goa.
Dr Colaco’s heart beats for Goa and the protection of this tiny land of his fore-fathers. This has taken him in the word of social activism. He is seen present in so many protests meets in the State. Even when he travelled as a tourist to the USA all that he yearned for is to return back to Goa. He is a multi-faceted personality, not only a healer of hearts.
Singing is his passion! Unlike many he can sing in Portuguese, Konkani and English. He jams with young musicians almost every weekend. The mike in front of him, electrifies his showmanship. Dr Colaco, though a cardiologist has to his credit many music videos.
Dr Francisco Colaco believes in lifelong learning. He has learnt in his sunset years to read Konkani in the devnagari script and learnt to play the guitar to the tune of Indian Classical music. At the ripe age of eighty he works like a new entrant to the medical profession in terms of enthusiasm, energy and skill, conducting both morning and evening OPDs throughout the week.
He has saved many lives and his patient’s flock to him for his honesty and credibility. His award is the endearing love of his patients and the people. He is being felicitated at a private function today in South Goa.
