Who Is Leela Ratos

The nation has lost a great but humble and selfless doctor – Dr Leela Ratos - a prominent doctor and philanthropist, was well-known, especially among thousands living in the Klang Valley, some of whom have sought treatment at her clinics for two generations. For over 50 years, she dedicated herself to serving others and gave free treatment to poor patients.

She opened her clinic day and night during the 1969 riots, caring for the wounded and women and children who lost their husbands and fathers and had nowhere to turn to.

Chong Suet Fah, 46, whose mother was pregnant with her sixth child in 1969 when her husband was killed during the riots, recalled how Dr Leela came to the family’s rescue. “We were very young then. Dr Leela gave us free treatment. She took care of us and others in the same situation – she bought us milk and diapers and made sure we were okay.

“And it was Dr Leela who gave me a job at her Jalan Pudu clinic during the recession in the 1980s. “She helped so many but she never boasted or shouted about it. My mother told us what she did for us,” she said at Dr Leela’s wake yesterday where her family, friends and patients gathered to remember her.

Dr Leela died on Thursday, aged 76, leaving five children and three grandchildren. Her husband and Orang Asli advocate Datuk Dr Antony Ratos died in 2010. Their chain of clinics Dr Leela Ratos dan Rakan-Rakan is well known.

Her list of accomplishments is long, having dedicated her life to social work and giving scholarships to those in need. She was also Cheshire Charity Home’s founding member and its longest serving committee member.

V. Penchavaranam, fondly known as “Papa”, has worked with Dr Leela at her Jalan Pudu clinic for 41 years and recalled what a dedicated doctor she was and how the free treatment for the poor continued throughout the years.

“She and her husband also adopted many unfortunate children regardless of race as she wanted to give them a good life. We never dreamt of working anywhere else. She was a dear friend who we will miss dearly,” said the 65-year-old.

To her children Anthuan, Dr Anita, Ari, Antonia and Dr Andre, Dr Leela was a loving mother and friend whose life and memory they would forever cherish. Her oldest child Anthuan described their mother as a loving and inspiring person who never said a nasty word to anyone.

“It amazes us how she juggled work, five children and charity work all at the same time. She was a wonderful mother,” he said.