Ronald Stephen McCoy: Enduring legacy of courage, compassion and hope
DATUK Dr Ronald Stephen McCoy, the renowned Malaysian obstetrician and gynaecologist, physician, humanitarian and lifelong campaigner for nuclear disarmament, passed away on Sept 1, 2026 at the age of 96.
Dr. Ronald Stephen McCoy, a Malaysian obstetrician and gynaecologist, physician, humanitarian, and lifelong campaigner for nuclear disarmament, passed away on September 1, 2026, at the age of 96. Throughout his remarkable career, McCoy delivered 20,000 babies, leaving an indelible legacy that transcended the realm of medicine. His experiences during World War II and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki deeply influenced his views on the destructive potential of nuclear weapons.
In 1987, he founded the Malaysian Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, becoming a prominent figure in the international movement against nuclear weapons. McCoy's most significant contribution to global peace efforts came after the 2005 review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, when he proposed the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
Launched in 2007, ICAN grew into a worldwide movement that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for its efforts to raise awareness of the medical consequences of nuclear war and advocate for a legally binding prohibition of nuclear weapons. McCoy's enduring legacy is a testament to his unwavering commitment to both the miracle of life and the prevention of nuclear catastrophe, ultimately safeguarding the future of humanity, particularly the future of children.
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