Neurosurgery: Dr. Sambudhha Dhar performs 100th operation at SMCH, informs Principal Dr. Babul Bezbaruah

From not having a neurosurgeon, to making a special arrangement to rope in one to scoring 100 not out, Silchar Medical College and Hospital’s (SMCH) small Neurosurgery team has come a long way. Last night a patient who had met with an accident and lost consciousness, reported to SMCH. A year back, such patients were asked to rush to healthcare centers in Guwahati or Shillong. ‘Times they have changed!’ The patient was attended to and operated in the night itself.

Dr. Sambuddha Dhar, who joined SMCH in November 2021, was called in. He along with the Registrar of the department, Biswajit Dev Nath, and PGTs attended the patient and conducted the procedure. At 1.21 am in the morning, Dr. Babul Bezbaruah, Principal cum Chief Superintendent of Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) informed that Dr. Sambuddha Dhar had just performed his 100th operation in SMCH.

Dr. Dhar did his MBBS and MS from the Jawaharlal Institute Of Postgraduate Medical Education And Research (JIPMER) and MCH from the Institute of Medical Sciences – Benaras Hindu University (IMS – BHU). After he got to know that Silchar is struggling to find a neurosurgeon who is willing to join the SMCH, Dr. Dhar volunteered. According to the Principal, Dr. Sambuddha Dhar had expressed his interest to join the hospital to the former Principal of SMCH, Dr SS Dhar who informed Bezbaruah about the same.

Principal Dr. Bezbaruah then submitted a proposal to then deputy commissioner, Keerthi Jalli to appoint Dr. Dhar. DC had forwarded the same proposal to Guardian Minister, Ashok Singhal. The Minister handed further forwarded it to the top and Himanta Biswa Sarma’s Cabinet approved the appointment under a special arrangement on September 1.

Back then, Principal Bezbaruah had told Barak Bulletin, “I thank the Chief Minister of Assam for approving the proposal to appoint Dr. Sambuddha Dhar. He stayed true to his promise that if we can find a doctor, he is willing to sign a blank cheque. This fulfills the long-standing demand of the 40 lakh population living in Barak Valley.”

The contract with Dr. Sambuddha Dhar will last for a year and then it will be subject to renewal. He is currently available at SMCH at the OPD, checks patients at wards, and attends emergency calls throughout the day.