Guwahati Medical College and Hospital: The pioneer of health care and health education in Assam

1. Guwahati Medical College and Hospital – the second medical college and hospital to be established in Assam. How would you like to narrate its journey so far?

 Guwahati Medical College was established as a second medical college in the State of Assam in 1960 however further down the timeline we have developed substantially and at present, we have more than 3000 beds. Thus making us one of the hospitals with a maximum number of beds amid the government and private hospitals in India. We are procuring additional 300 beds augmenting the number of beds to 3300. We are the most advanced, equipped hospital with specialized equipment, machinery, annexure hospitals, etc. We have laid the foundation for numerous novel treatments rarely accessible at government hospitals. We have annexure hospitals such as cancer hospitals where brachytherapy treatment, PET MRI, PET CT, radiation therapy, etc are facilitated to the needful patients.

2. How has GMCH contributed towards the socio-economic development of the region?

 Formerly, People used to travel out of state for treatment however at present; GMCH has become the medical hub for the Northeast. GMCH has developed itself as a medical tourism place and we do have a good bunch of people touring northeast for the same. Furthermore, we have patients traveling from Bangladesh, Delhi, Hyderabad, etc to GMCH for treatment. We are very well equipped with the latest equipment and a few of the best doctors trained and passed out of reputed colleges from India and all over abroad.

3. The pandemic ushered a new chapter for the health sector, tell us about how it affected your revenue as well as your budget?

In the course of the pandemic, we had a downfall in the number of patients.  Accordingly, there was a dip in the revenue yet it was somehow compensated by the government support and funds. Assam was the only state where the Hon’ble Chief Minister and Hon’ble Health Minister made treatment free of cost to COVID infected cases. Thus, we managed to sail through the pandemic quite skillfully. We treated more than 28000 nos cases.

4. With digital platforms, providing medical deliveries and online appointments, how would you position GMCH in terms of digitalization?

Digital marketing is one of the arenas where GMCH is slightly trailing behind. The e-hospital model outlined by us is running but needs to be more proactive. However, we are anticipating its efficiency and smooth functioning in the coming 3-4 months. We do have initiated numerous pilot projects. In the current budget session held, we will receive specialized funds for the mentioned projects and activities. We have a new CN center being built to be inaugurated on the e-platform which will slowly get extended to the entire hospital.

5. How is Guwahati medical college helping the economically backward students of the region?

The government has always extended its helping hand and provided assistance to the meritorious students of the region. Besides the fee structure of the government, colleges are marginalized and thus affordable. Scholarships are provided as well to the meritorious students to pursue their ensuing studies.

6. Tell us about the various schemes related to the health sector which have been useful.GMCH being such a big brand, how does it carry its CSR activities?

We have been performing and contributing immensely as far as the CSR activities are concerned. In 2010, the government started the congenital heart disease scheme where up to 14 years; all kids are given free heart treatment. We have treated more than 8600 kids free of cost as a part of the CSR activities. We have various schemes such as Snehasparsha for a liver transplant, bone marrow transplant, eye surgery, solid tumors, neurosurgical complications, etc wherein the free treatment is facilitated for the patients. There are other CSR activities as well that are conducted by the Government in medical colleges and all other civil hospitals as well.

7. Last but not least, tell us about the upcoming projects and vision of GMCH and a message for the youth willing to be in this sector

 I would solely like to ask the youth to ‘Come and Join us. We have a lot of things in the pipeline such as the CN Centers, e- hospital, MR Centers to name a few. We are striving to get ourselves digitalized wholly. The doors of opportunity are always open from our end for the youths of the region. We believe that young minds are always brimming with brainstorming ideas. Young people are taking over vital positions in the world. We have some very talented doctors, nurses, IT experts, etc here in Assam. We would certainly wish our young generation to step forward and join us in the different fields.