DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY

Nestled amidst the picturesque tea gardens of Assam, the history of Assam Medical College is as old as Independent India. The inception of the Department of Surgery dates back even further, to the era of World War II and Major General Joseph Warren Stillwell. The Department of Surgery was established in 1948 in the Old Berry White Medical School and Hospital. Due to the efforts of numerous individuals, both political and apolitical, Assam Medical College was established at its present campus, and a year later, the Department of Surgery was shifted from the Berry White Medical School to its current location.

Dr. Ghanshyam Das Kapur, a distinguished retired Professor of Surgery from Lahore Medical College, was brought in on a contractual basis to set up the Department of Surgery at Assam Medical College. He joined in 1948 as the first Professor & Head of the Department of Surgery.

Initially, the Department of Surgery started with a single ward but soon expanded with the introduction of a second unit. Dr. G. D. Kapur, Dr. P. Nambiar, Dr. B. N. Banerjee, and Dr. P. N. Baruah, along with their surgical teams, played a pivotal role in laying the foundation of a strong Surgical Department. Their contributions will always be remembered. Dr. P. Nambiar, a retired Professor from the south, joined as the head of the second surgical unit. Dr. Kashyap and Dr. M. P. Pai also served as Assistant Professors, contributing significantly to student education and the department’s development.

In the early days, when clinical departments were in their nascent stages, there was a shortage of junior staff. House surgeons and registrars were nearly non-existent, and this gap was filled by enlisting Licentiate Medical Practitioners (LMPs) who had graduated from the Berry White Medical School.

Dr. Ashrafuz Zaman Ahmed, the first MBBS graduate (from R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata) to join Assam Medical College, initially served as a House Physician before joining the Department of Surgery as a house surgeon.

Over the years, each succeeding head of the Surgical Department played a crucial role in building it into its present form, comprising seven surgical units and an OT complex.

The establishment of the Operation Theatre of Assam Medical College is steeped in history. Major General Joseph Warren Stillwell, tasked with preventing Japanese entry into British India from the eastern front, played a significant role in its development. Given its strategic location, the Borbari Race Course in Dibrugarh was converted into the Military Base Hospital of the Eastern Front, complete with an Operation Theatre. Major General Stillwell instructed the army command to replicate the infrastructure of the 26 IGCH Hospital of New York at the Borbari Base Hospital.

After World War II, the base hospital and its facilities, including the OT and surgical instruments, were handed over to the Government of Assam Province of British India. The then Superintendent of Berry White Medical School took charge of the premises, marking the origin of the historic OT – 1 of Assam Medical College. Today, even as new operation theatres have been added, OT – 1 stands as a testament to the college’s rich history and changing times.

Time and progress led to the replacement of the old surgical wards with a new Surgical Complex, housing all wards and the OT complex in one place.

Initially, General Surgery encompassed all surgical specialties at Assam Medical College. In 1957, Dr. Ashrafuz Zaman Ahmed was appointed Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics, marking the beginning of Orthopaedic Surgery, not just in Assam Medical College but in the entire Northeast. Dr. Ahmed, originally a General Surgery Registrar, was recognized for his unparalleled skills in Orthopaedics and was entrusted by the government with establishing a separate Orthopaedic unit. Single-handedly, he developed this discipline, providing surgical care and education to countless patients and students. Today, the Department of Orthopaedics is a fully independent entity offering postgraduate training.

A strong surgical department requires a robust Anesthesiology backup. The credit for establishing Anaesthesia as a separate unit within the Department of Surgery goes to Dr. Hemanta Kumar Dutta, who started the unit in 1958 as an Assistant Professor. His efforts significantly raised the standard of Anaesthesia practice and education.

In 1962, the Plastic Surgery unit was established by Dr. Bimalendu Ghosh, followed by the Pediatric Surgery unit in 1985, under the leadership of Dr. N. C. Bhattacharyya. Both units have since evolved into independent departments serving the public.

Currently, the Department of General Surgery continues to support the Neurosurgery, CTVS, and Urology units until they can develop into full-fledged departments.

Over 600 postgraduate students have graduated from the Department of Surgery at Assam Medical College, carrying its legacy wherever they go. These professionals provide their expertise across the country and beyond national borders.

As we embrace new challenges and strive to overcome them, our vision is to transform the Department of Surgery at Assam Medical College into one of the best-equipped surgical departments in one of the country's oldest medical colleges. We remain committed to offering excellent service with a humane and compassionate approach, a hallmark of Assam Medical College.

“Care with compassion” is our guiding principle, and we shall always strive to uphold it.

Long live the Department of Surgery. Long live Assam Medical College.

TIMELINE OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY

Services: OPD, IPD & Emergency

1947 to 2007

1. The Dawn: Establishment of the Department of Surgery
2. Expansion from 2 Units to 4 Units
3. Increase from 1 OT to 3 OTs

1961

• Introduction of PG Courses

1995

• Lap. Cholecystectomy started with Oil Sponsored Lap. Set

2007 to 2014

1. Shifted to New Surgical Complex (Ground floor)
2. Expansion to 6 surgical units
3. OT Complex with 3 floors housing multiple OT tables
4. Routine Laparoscopic Surgery practice
5. Full utilization of all three floors of the Surgical Complex

2014 to 2022

1. Development of Departmental Library & E-Library
2. Establishment of Departmental Museum with operated surgical specimens
3. Development of Departmental CME Hall for academic meetings
4. Introduction of Departmental Endotrainer facilities and Skill Lab for faculty and student training
5. Implementation of E-learning methods
6. Increase of P.G. seats to 23 per year

Future Vision

1. Development of modular OT complex
2. Introduction of Robotic Surgery
3. Enhancement of the Skill Lab

Department of Surgery in the 80s

Heads of the Department of Surgery & Allied Specialties