Jagdev was Malaysia’s longest-serving chief medical assessor and medical examiner and a true pioneer in aviation medicine, said Norazman Mahmud, chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.
He described Jagdev as a visionary leader who left an indelible mark on the industry, which he had served since 1976, and had touched the lives of countless people.
Jagdev served the civil aviation department and its successor CAAM for 45 years, before retiring on Dec 31, 2021.
He also spent two-and-a-half-years as an armed forces doctor, specialising in aviation medicine, screening aircrew and air traffic controllers for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
He also spent decades in private practice.
Former CAAM chief executive officer Chester Voo said Jagdev was a kind person, with a deep human touch. “He had set the landscape for the aviation industry since the inception of the former Department of Civil Aviation,” Voo said.
He added that it was experts like Jagdev who ensured safe flight operations with stringent medical examination of aircrew – especially pilots – serving with airlines, air charter companies and general aviation.
“He was a rare breed, as just one of 28 accredited aviation medicine doctors in the country. People like him are a gem and we are eternally grateful to him,” Voo said.
In his last interview, Jagdev said many pilots thought he was strict.
“On the contrary, we attempt very hard to resolve their medical issues and help them remain in their seats,” he said, crediting his father for his resolve.
“Life was challenging from a young age. I had to struggle from humble beginnings to supplement my family’s income by delivering milk by bicycle to the police barracks before school.
“Then, I endured the Japanese Occupation, later the May 13 riots. Frankly, what I am today, I owe it to my parents and grandparents – for their strong longevity – who nurtured and groomed me through the rough shackles of life to become a success story.
“It was a tough journey all the way and I have no regrets. They grilled me so that as a well-fed milk boy, I did not end up a sloppy, potbellied ‘Billy Bunter’ (a British schoolboy cartoon character popular in his time).
“My childhood experiences taught me a sense of discipline and a steely resolve to pursue my dream to become a doctor. I grabbed whatever opportunities that came along to move on successfully,” he said.
After completing his Senior Cambridge (Form Five), he went to Sixth Form at St Xavier’s Institution, Penang, then studied medicine at Adelaide University, graduating as a doctor in 1958.
In 1963, Jagdev joined the Young, Newton and Partners clinic in Kuala Lumpur, rising to be its principal partner until 1980, before serving Esso (later Exxon-Mobil) as its medical director until 1997.
He was instrumental in propagating CPR (the cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique) and advanced cardiac care to many industries, and later helped formulate the Occupational Safety and Health Act for the Human Resources Ministry.
The burly Jagdev was also a talented hockey and cricket player, captaining the country at the latter.
Jagdev is survived by his wife Neeta Kaur, daughters Kiren, Sharan, Manisha and Nirmal Kaur, and two grandchildren.
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