For services to UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and to global nuclear medicine, Prof (Dr) Jamshed Bomanji was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) last month. Clinical lead and head of department at the University College London Hospitals’ (UCLH) Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Bomanji’s name featured among the 223 OBE awardees announced in the King’s Birthday Honours List on June 14, 2024.
"The focus of this List is individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country — such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life. Many are active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers,” noted a press release from the cabinet office featured on the website gov.uk.
At the nuclear Institute, considered "the largest and most modern nuclear medicine department in the NHS,” Bomanji has been given credit for being an "excellent nuclear medicine consultant, researcher, educator and mentor and he serves on several national and international advisory expert groups and committees.” In addition to being the clinical lead for neuroendocrine tumor imaging, he chairs the UCLH radiation protection advisory service and is honorary professor of nuclear medicine. The website of the British Nuclear Medicine Society quotes him as stating, "I’m hugely grateful for this recognition and I thank all the staff members at the Institute. I couldn’t have done any of this without them.”
Overwhelmed with the congratulatory messages he received, Bomanji responded to Parsiana’s queries stating, "My main interest remains my clinical work. I have always sought my research themes in my clinical practice, and it gives me the greatest pleasure to involve my trainees and fellows. This approach allows me to train them in clinical practice, help them understand the pathology they are dealing with, and challenge outdated norms while collecting data to either prove or refute a hypothesis. As this subject interests me, I do not find it physically or mentally draining. However, dealing with young cancer patients can be emotionally draining but, as they say, that is part of the job.”
Constantly seeking to improve diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nuclear medicine techniques in benign and malignant diseases, his novel use of imaging technologies are said to have resulted in shorter examination time and reduction in radiation exposure, benefitting patients suffering from prostate cancer, chronic infections like tuberculosis, movement disorders and children suffering from neuroblastoma (a cancer that develops from immature nerve cells found in several areas of the body). New radiopharmaceuticals (medicinal drugs containing radioactive isotopes), he expects, will make significant contributions in the fields of oncology, nephro-urology and neurology.
Top: Prof (Dr) Jamshed Bomanji; above: University College
London Hospital new building Photo: Tagishsimon, Wikipedia
"Basic things we take for granted in the UK, like uninterrupted electric supply, maintenance of equipment and regular supply of radiopharmaceuticals, are often challenging in low and middle-income countries. In my eyes, the people who deliver services under these constraints are the real heroes,” commented Bomanji who endeavors to advance nuclear medicine technologies to benefit human health in developing countries.
To reassure Parsi men facing prostate issues, Bomanji wrote, "I am not sure if there is a formal study proving higher prevalence of prostate cancer in the Parsi community, but I could be wrong. During annual medical check-ups, men should ask their doctors to check their PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) levels. This can be done easily during a blood test. If the results are concerning, they should ask for a referral to a specialist. There is no need to panic as this is typically a slow-growing tumor.”
Taking pride in the accomplishments of a fellow Pakistani, the July issue of What’s On, the newsletter of the Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal, introduced Jamshed as the son of Freny and Boman Bomanji of Multan (the administrative center of Multan Division in the Pakistan province of Punjab). Jamshed studied at the Nishtar Medical College and Hospital in Multan before proceeding to the UK in 1982 at the age of 24 to pursue an MSc in Nuclear Medicine, "fascinated” by the subject. After completing his PhD, he was appointed as a consultant with St Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1990 and subsequently moved to the Middlesex Hospital which is now part of the UCLH Foundation Trust.
He informed Parsiana that he does not participate in the activities of either the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) or the World Zoroastrian Organisation. Yet, according to former ZTFE president Dorab Mistry, Bomanji is "a dedicated Zoroastrian who has always worked for and helped us at the ZTFE in times of need. I can never forget his generosity during a critical phase in the renovation of the newly acquired Zoroastrian Centre in Harrow. At a time when we were acutely tight on funding (despite very generous donations from the Zartoshty Brothers) he crystallized for us one of our largest local UK donations… He and his family are too modest to let me go into details.”
Married to Dinaz, Jamshed regards her as "not only a devoted mother to our daughters, but also a dedicated voluntary worker who has stood by me and guided me throughout my career.” They have three daughters: Nadine Devgun who is in the field of banking, Natalia Bomanji, a speech and language therapist, and Narina Bomanji who is active with environmental and social governance. Describing himself as "a moderate Zoroastrian,” Jamshed maintains, "Prayers are very important to me.” Just as he enjoys Parsi food and all sports, especially tennis, Jamshed advises fellow Zoroastrians to "stay active and remain happy.”