"Neurology, cardiology and neurosurgery departments are extremely necessary at this stage" Dr. Babul Bezbaruah

People are appointed in a role either to steer a well-oiled machine or to clean-up a mess. In the case of Silchar Medical College and Hospital, it is the latter. Corruption struck government institution has been leaking State’s money from every corner. The condition is murky at best and fraudulent at worst. And now it is the newly appointed principal cum chief-superintendent Babul Bezbaruah’s responsibility to clean up the mess and fill shut the loopholes. He is accustomed to SMCH’s administration and academics. He is aware of the shortcomings and the need of the hour and most importantly he has the trust of the high command in Guwahati. In an exclusive interaction with Barak Bulletin’s Biswakalyan (Tilak) Purkayastha, Bezbaruah shared his cleanup plans, vision to take SMCH forward and the need of the hour…

Here is the edited excerpt:

The Silchar Medical College and Hospital is hit by corruption and financial irregularities, how do you plan to clean the mess?

An inquiry committee has already been formed and it would submit its report by November 15, 2018, and further actions will be taken. I have already received a few complaints stating there are inconsistencies in the Blood Bank too. So, I would look into that next.

There are reports of corruption in blood bank too…

See in the case of Blood Bank, there are outsiders involved in it and not only employees of SMCH. I am told, people come from outside and act as brokers in the blood bank to earn easy money. I will file an FIR in Ghungoor police outpost soon, My aim is to streamline these irregularities.

You have worked at Silchar Medical College and Hospital for a period of six years till 2011, seven years later what do you think has changed?

What I saw in 2011 and what I see today is exactly the same- stagnant with very little dynamics. Few new buildings have been made but that is about it. My aim is to take SMCH a little forward by opening super-specialty divisions and branches. The best part about SMCH is academics. It is in very good shape and I would want to contribute to improving it further. Another thing that I will focus on is cleanliness. The honorable minister got really angry after his last visit to SMCH and that is something I would like to change.

You spoke about super-specialty departments; which ones are the need of the hour according to you?

I think three departments – Neurology, cardiology and neurosurgery, are extremely necessary at this stage. I will send a proposal to the government to open these in SMCH as soon as possible. Patients suffering from stroke and heart-attack have very little treatment opportunity in SMCH. Relatives either admit the patients in private nursing homes or take them to Guwahati. I am aware, how difficult it is to take a patient to Guwahati from Barak Valley and that is why I will try my best to open these departments here.

You say these departments are the need of the hour. How long will it take to get it sanctioned and functioning?

The present health minister is dynamic and always ready to contribute to development. So, approval, infrastructure and all would not be a problem nor would it be a lengthy affair. The bigger problem is the human resource. How to solve that is something we need to discuss with the government.

Apart from this, what else would you like to change or add?

If we manage to expand we will also create new posts in SMCH which will boost employment too. If I stay here that is something I would want to do. I have plans but to execute them professionally, I would need the support of the local stakeholders.

The story was earlier published with the below headline:

From proposing super-speciality to lodging FIR; new SMCH principal Bezbaruah’s exclusive interview