Ron Hiles
Episode 3
“This episode pays tribute to a renowned plastic surgeon, Ron Hiles, for his services spanning over three decades. He treated victims of acid attacks, burns, and accidents in Bangladesh and trained an entire generation of plastic surgeons there.”
At the registration desk of Hotel Golden Deer, the staff had us complete the necessary forms, photocopied our passports, and allotted rooms according to our preferences. Since our stay was only for one night, we were quite satisfied with the room details. Meanwhile, we also inquired at the registration desk about which familiar friends had already arrived at the hotel. A staff member carried our luggage, and we each headed to our rooms one by one. My room was on the second floor, more than equipped with facilities I needed. It was incredibly spacious, with a comfortable king-size bed, a beautiful writing desk, a wardrobe, Wi-Fi, and an impeccably clean bathroom with a shower. Eager to meet my friends, I quickly arranged my belongings and, without changing my clothes, hurried down the stairs to the hotel lobby to join them.
As I entered the lobby, I saw Ron, Richard, and Opoku sitting on a couch. The moment they saw me, all three stood up warmly. Richard is from Nigeria, and Opoku from Ghana. Ron Hiles, a seventy-six-year-old Englishman, is a retired plastic surgeon from Bristol’s Frenchay Hospital and a former president of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons. I have never met someone as refreshed, smart, and mentally and physically active as him. He is a well-known social figure in Bangladesh. Since 1982, he has spent three months each year in Bangladesh, where he not only performs surgeries on complex cases of his students but also trains local plastic surgeons. This is why he is recognized as the founder and teacher of plastic surgery in the country. I met Ron during my stay in Bangladesh, and we traveled together from Ranchi to Jamshedpur in the Indian state of Jharkhand, where we trained Indian doctors at Tata Hospital. We stayed at Tata Main Hospital for three days.
Ron will undoubtedly be remembered as a great friend and mentor. As soon as we sat down in the lobby, we inquired about each other’s travels, and then we ordered tea. Ron had to return to the UK for an important matter and expressed regret that he couldn’t attend the conference. Ron had gained immense popularity across Bangladesh, both on television and in newspapers, when he successfully performed plastic surgery on the disfigured face of a young man injured in a tiger attack. He is undoubtedly a strong role model for young doctors. Like many of his fellow plastic surgeons, he chose to forego the profitable practice of enhancing the beauty and youthfulness of actresses on Harley Street and instead found peace in restoring the bodies of those affected by fire and accidents.
In an interview with a newspaper, Ron said, “My vacations are more meaningful when I spend them serving those in need, rather than lying on a beach.” On my last visit, I saw Ron with the project director of Dhaka Medical College, Samanta Lal Sen, who was proudly giving him a tour of the medical college in a cycle rickshaw, proudly stating, “Ron is my master.” In a country where thousands of people fall victim to acid attacks each year, it’s no wonder people like Ron are so valued. Over the past 35 years, Ron has not only trained an entire generation of plastic surgeons but also played a significant role in establishing the world’s largest burns unit at Dhaka Medical College. His social standing here is so high that he once met with the Prime Minister and President to secure approval for additional beds for the burns unit. Ron was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2004. His wife, as always, accompanied him on this trip. Sometimes, his grandchildren, who are now medical students, also participate in this service in Bangladesh… To be continued.