Dr. Étienne Doazan, Pioneering Physician of Balma, Passes Away at 97

Dr. Étienne Doazan, the first family physician of Balma, a commune near Toulouse, has passed away at the age of 97. His death, announced on April 29, 2026, marks the end of an era for the community he dedicated over three decades to serving. A tribute to his legacy was held in February 2025, when he celebrated his 95th birthday, and his contributions to Balma’s medical and social fabric remain deeply remembered.

The Early Years and Medical Pioneering

Dr. Doazan began his practice in Balma on January 1, 1958, a time when the commune had a population of 1,276 residents. At the time, the village lacked basic infrastructure, with electrification completed in 1955 and water supply established in