TB Infection Control
On the contributions and passing of Sidney Parsons, PE, PhD
At the end of the year it is traditional to consider the passing of notable figures. In the field of airborne infection control one such giant in the field in South Africa died prematurely and unexpectantly - Sidney Parsons.
For those who did not know Sidney, he was an excellent building engineer in South Africa who became heavily involved with TB infection control issues over the last decade and became an important international consultant in Africa and beyond. He taught in our summer course on building design and airborne infection control the very first year. He was a close colleague of mine and Paul Jensen's in that he designed the Airborne Infections Research facility in Witbank where we conduct infection control research. I last saw Sidney in the hospital and again after discharge last May when I participated in the national TB conference in Durban. Having heard his name come up again and again whenever TB infection control was mentioned made me fully aware of the impact of his tireless efforts to improve TB infection control in South Africa and in the world. He will be greatly missed.
On the personal side Sidney and his wife Judy were good friends. We often got together on one continent or the other. On one occasion Sidney drove us through an animal park, narrowly escaping an elephant that appeared intent on sitting on his car - with us in it! There was much bread broken and wine consumed over the years.
I think it an appropriate use of this space to invite others who knew and worked with Sidney to take a moment to remember him and share their expereiences - a kind of cyber memorial service. Perhaps we will collect these remebrances and give them to his wife, Judy.
Respectfully,
Ed Nardell
Inge Corless
I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Dr. Parsons, but think your proposal to
have an international memorial service is an excellent idea. Although we
conversed about surgical masks and N95 respirators, I also have a background in
hospice care and bereavement. I know memorial messages are a wonderful gift to
the family.
My condolences to all who knew Dr. Parsons. May your treasured memories bring
you some solace and consolation. Ing Corless PhD RN FAAN
5:22 PM, 23 Dec 2010 | Permalink
Sam Otenaike
It is such a rude shock to hear about the passing of Sidney Parsons.
I first met Dr Parsons in Lagos Nigeria in April 2008 at a workshop on TB Infection Control for participants from all the Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria and I was invited by the CMD of JUTH whom we were working for at the time. As a Building Services Engineer, he took interest in me and invited me to the first edition of Engineering Control of Infectious Diseases in 2008.
Thereafter we collaborated on the design and construction of the first TB Reference Lab (BSL 2) in Nigeria which we commissioned in March 2009.
I again met Dr Parsons in Pretoria and it was such a pleasant time with him.
Dr Parsons loved to impart knowledge and develop capacity. Africa has lost a gem and the entire TB Infection Control Community the world over will miss him.
Sam Otenaike
Abuja, Nigeria
The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart - develop a good and godly heart!!
5:45 PM, 23 Dec 2010 | Permalink
Sarder Hossain
Dear all,
It is very bad news for me , although I did not get any opportunity to meet
with him.I thought he had a rear quality of talents by which he contributed to
this world very much.
I pray for the eternal peace and comfort of his departed soul, and mental
strength to his bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Regards,
________________________________
Sarder Tanzir Hossain
B.Sc.(Hon's) and M.S. in Microbiology (DU)
Microbiologist
Health Program, BRAC Afghanistan.
Website:http://www.brac.net,www.bracafg.org
12:27 AM, 25 Dec 2010 | Permalink