The Epitome of Humility and Hard Work

OBITUARY

Professor Christopher Sapara Grant
MB.ChB, FRCS, FACS 

1942–2013

Professor Grant, Head of the Department of Surgery at Sultan 
Qaboos University (SQU) for 15 years, died in SQU Hospital on 
Friday 4th October aged 71. Prof. Grant, who joined the College 
of Medicine & Health Sciences just four years after SQU 
opened in 1986, was one of the pioneers who made immense 
contributions to both medical education and the healthcare 
sector in Oman. Many of his former students now occupy 
senior positions in the Ministry of Health and the medical 
colleges in the country.

After medical studies in Ghana and the UK, and then 
teaching and clinical work at King Faisal University College of 
Medicine and King Fahd Hospital of the University in Saudi 
Arabia, Prof Grant was appointed as Associate Professor of 
Surgery and Consultant Surgeon at SQU in 1990. He became 
Full Professor in 1997 and Head of Department a year later. 
His clinical interests included gastrointestinal, thyroid and 

parathyroid surgery. He played a key role in developing the General Surgery Department at SQU into a 
state-of-the-art facility with a number of specialisations including cardiothoracic, trauma, orthopaedic, 
paediatric, ENT, and urology surgery. 

Dr. Hilal Al-Sabti, a former student and now cardiothoracic surgeon at SQU Hospital said: “He was a 
skillful surgeon with a sound knowledge of the discipline. Many physicians approached him for his expert 
opinion on various medical and surgical issues. His wisdom and his dedication to his profession were 
amazing.” Dr. Al-Sabti added, “As a medical educator, Prof. Grant played a key role in creating excellent 
physicians. He helped a lot of Omani graduates to go abroad for higher studies at prestigious medical 
schools. He was also a well-recognised researcher. As an individual, he was humble and modest, showing 
great respect to his colleagues and students. He treated them as equals without even a hint of arrogance.”

For Dr. Abdullah Al-Harthy, trauma surgeon and Deputy Director General of SQU Hospital, Prof. Grant 
was instrumental in his choice to specialise in trauma surgery. “Prof. Grant was a great role model. He 
taught us that surgery is the medical specialty which has a direct effect on the patients—where the doctor 
can see immediate results.” He added, “Prof. Grant dealt with patients in an exemplary manner. Originally 
a paediatric surgeon, he dealt affectionately with child patients and maintained the same courtesy with 
adult and geriatric patients. He always tried to understand the problems of each of his patients and never 
belittled their concerns”.

According to Dr. Hani Al-Qadhi, Head of the Department of Surgery at SQU and also a former student, 
Prof. Grant was someone who showed the utmost selflessness in all his duties and responsibilities. “As a 
medical educator, Prof. Grant taught us how to face the stressful work situations of a surgeon with calmness 
and patience. When we did our higher studies abroad, he called us quite often to check on our welfare and 
study progress. He was a legendary figure who offered great services to patients, students, medical students, 
and the healthcare sector of Oman at large”.

Prof. Grant is survived by Edith, his wife of 45 years, and his son, Cobby.

This obituary is based on an article published in the SQU Horizon magazine in September 2013.
Photograph courtesy of Amir Hussain, Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies & Research, SQU.