DR. THEO POON KING
POON KING IS
RESEARCHER OF THE
CENTURY
By Louis B. Homer
South Bureau
Express
September 27, 2000
Page 10
His
research has brought about the near eradication of epidemics of
rheumatic fever streptococcal infections and nephritis or inflammation of the
kidneys in South Trinidad.
He
also discovered that scorpion stings affect the heart and with Dr. Edward Addo
and Dr. Rasheed Rahaman, did research on the effects of paraquat poisoning.
The
man behind all this, Dr. Theo Poon King, has been named medical researcher of
the century in South Trinidad by the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association
(TTMA).
The
award was given to him at the TTMA's first scientific meeting held at Soong's
Great Wall Restaurant, San Fernando last Sunday.
"This
is a big surprise for me. I had always
regarded research as part of he practice of medicine. I am honoured that my colleagues have shown such appreciation for
my work," Poon King said.
For
more than 30 years, the name Theo Poon King has been a household word in
Caribbean medical circles. His research
is world famous.
Many
of his papers have been published in medical journals and have formed the basis
for further research on such subjects as paraquat poisoning, scorpion
poisoning, and rheumatic heart disease.
He
started research in paraquat poisoning in 1974 with Rahaman and in 1980 was
joined by Addo, who died last year. The
treatment for paraquat poisoning as published in the Lancet Journal in
England and the Journal of Clinical Toxicology.
Poon
King, who retired as specialist medical officer, San Fernando General Hospital,
in 1988, told the Daily Express: "Now that I am retired from active
medical practice, I am devoting my time to further research in medicine."
Dr.
Lester Goetz, president of the TTMA, described Poon King as "a walking
encyclopedia to whom many doctors owe a debt of gratitude for his guidance and
expertise."
Goetz
added, "It is fitting that the association has recognised him as the
researcher of the century in South Trinidad."
Poon
King attended St Mary's College, where he won an island scholarship. He then
proceeded to University College, Dublin, where he qualified as a medical doctor
in 1953.
In 1958
he was appointed specialist physician at the San Fernando General Hospital and
continued in that office until 1988.
Poon
King is a member of the Royal College of Physicians and also a Fellow of the
Royal College of Physicians and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
He has
had 79 publications in international medical journals.
For
his contributions to medicine, he was awarded the Chaconia Gold Medal in 1975.
In 1995
he was given an award for distinguished medical research in the Caribbean by
the Commonwealth Caribbean Medical Research Council.