Lead Consultant Physician/Cardiologist Professor Mahendra Varma has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to healthcare in Northern Ireland in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The cardiac consultant, who has lived in Fermanagh since 1982, was born and raised in South Africa, of Indian origin. He was the first of his family to attend university and he gained his primary medical degree from The Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, followed by a PhD at Trinity College Dublin and higher exams in the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. 
He joined the medical staff of the Erne Hospital in 1982 as a Consultant Cardiology, Diabetes and General Internal Medicine. Professor Varma was from the outset determined to advance the development of cardiology services to a rural population. Without doubt his tireless efforts in pioneering new and innovative methods of treatment brought enormous benefits to the patient population of County Fermanagh and further afield.

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Professor Varma has also made an enormous contribution to the voluntary sector through the NI Coronary Prevention Group and his 27 years membership of the Council of NI Chest, Heart and Stroke organisation in which he has served a term of 10 years as Chairman and continues as Chair of the Board. He was instrumental over many years in the planning and commissioning of the South West Acute Hospital. The handover of the hospital in June 2012 was a testament to his foresight and tireless determination to improve services for patients. Chief Executive of the Western Trust Elaine Way voiced her “delight” at Professor Varma receiving an OBE, saying: “He is a dedicated clinician and has made an exceptional contribution to health and social care. Professor Varma has been a wonderful ambassador for his profession and for the Western Trust for very many years. This honour is richly deserved