PROFESSOR Sam Ross, who died on 29 January following a prolonged illness, will be remembered for his service to humanity. A memorial service was held for the 83-year-old beloved academic and pioneer of Community Obstetrics on Saturday, at the Christ Church, in Hillcrest.
The father of four was born and raised in England and then moved to Nigeria, where he worked at a mission hospital for 12 years. This was followed by a move to Ethiopia, where he served for seven years as associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Medical School in Addis Ababa. Ross, who was described as religious, gentle and soft-spoken, joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the former University of Natal in 1975.
Here he became well-known for his work in community obstetrics in South Africa. He developed protocols for the management of pregnant women at community health centres, and provided support for midwives in Umlazi, KwaMashu and KwaDabeka Poly Clinics. In addition, he was responsible for starting a programme for advanced midwifery training in Durban, which later spread to other parts of South Africa.
Together with Prof Philpott he co-authored an obstetrics textbook ('Obstetrics, Family Planning and Paediatrics', University of Natal Press, 1986) and published a number of papers on nutrition during pregnancy, point of care in the management of sexually-transmitted infections during pregnancy and other papers related to community obstetrics.
The value he added to the world around him extended well beyond his academic achievements and into the community, where his legacy lives on in the establishment of projects that have brought improvement to the lives of many. This included helping to establish the KwaMashu Christian Care Society, which operates as an early childhood centre and old age home for the frail and chronically sick in the community. Ross’s family home was also open to a number of students while they studied at university during the 1980s.
Ross retired from the University of Natal (UKZN) in the early 1990s, and joined the Centre for Health and Social Studies (CHESS), an organisation which, among other things, focused on strengthening the health systems in midwifery and women’s health all over SA. He was well known for his deep Christian beliefs and his passion for gardening. His love and concern for humanity saw him lead a life that touched and impacted those around him, including his children, who have all taken after their father’s interest in healthcare.
Ross is survived by his wife, Morag Ross, his four children and eight grandchildren.
