It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dr Mukhtiar Sidhu in Brisbane on 8 August 2024.

Dr Sidhu was born in a small village in the state of Punjab, India, in 1937. His family immigrated to Singapore in 1941, where they spent time living under Japanese occupation. Dr Sidhu attended school in Singapore, achieving strong academic results. With great effort and the help of bursaries and scholarships, he was accepted into university. After graduating in 1962, Dr Sidhu began his medical career as a “houseman” at Singapore General Hospital, then moved six months later to the maternity hospital Kendang Kerbau (KK).

At the busy Kendang Kerbau Hospital, Dr Sidhu decided to pursue the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology. In 1967, he left Singapore to complete specialist training in the United Kingdom, working at the oldest hospital in England, St Bartholomew’s, and later at Hammersmith. His experience in the high-pressure environment of Kendang Kerbau stood him in good stead throughout his time in the UK. Once his training was complete, Dr Sidhu returned to Singapore to work in the public hospital system.

In 1971, he and his wife Raghbir decided to immigrate to Australia to provide different educational and lifestyle opportunities for their young family. Dr Sidhu accepted a position as the Director of OBGYN at Townsville General Hospital in 1976, becoming the first doctor with an MBBS from Singapore to be accepted for registration in Queensland.

In the 1980s, Dr Sidhu built a successful practice alongside fellow OBGYN Dr Noel Cassells in Townsville, providing care to the community for many years. He moved to Brisbane in 1991, becoming the Director of OBGYN at QEII and Logan hospitals during a period of expansion for obstetric and gynaecology services to meet the growing needs of the community in Brisbane’s southside. Dr Sidhu continued as Director at QEII, where he enjoyed combining clinical gynaecological work with the administrative and operational aspects of running a department, until his retirement in 2012 at the age of 75.

Education was deeply important to the Sidhu family. Having benefited from educational and funding opportunities during his early medical career, Dr Sidhu and Raghbir were inspired to “pay it forward” and create opportunities for midwives, doctors, and specialists in obstetrics and related fields. With the aim of improving maternal mortality and morbidity and assisting in fetal surveillance in developing Pacific and Asian countries, they established a grant in collaboration with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. This grant supports OBGYN trainees from developing Pacific and Asian countries to participate in short clinical observerships in Australia and New Zealand. It also funds educational programs and workshops across South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. Dr Sidhu and Raghbir hoped that the grant would support a lasting legacy and contribute to enhancing women’s and infants’ health.

Colleagues remember Dr Sidhu as a respected professional dedicated to the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, whose compassionate approach touched many lives. He will be remembered for his ability to foster a sense of unity and purpose, as well as for his warm spirit, generosity, wisdom, sense of humour, and quiet dignity.

Dr Sidhu is survived by his loving wife, Raghbir, and their children, who have been a source of strength and support throughout his life.

Dr Sidhu’s legacy will continue to inspire and uplift us, and he will be deeply missed and dearly remembered by all who knew him.