Inauguration of Cath Lab and Doctor’s Hostel at SMCH; Cardiologist to be appointed soon: CM

On Friday, the Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the inauguration ceremony of the most awaited Cardiac Catheterization Lab or Cath Lab at Silchar Medical College and Hospital at 11:25 AM as per the schedule. He was given a warm welcome by the Principal cum Chief Superintendent of SMCH along with doctors and faculty of the college. He also inaugurated the Doctor’s Hostel for married PG doctor couples. Other high ranking ministers of the state government were also present including the MP Cachar, Dr. Rajdeep Roy and guardian Minister of Cachar, Ashok Singhal. This lab was a long standing dream of the people of this valley. The CM inaugurated the Lab by cutting the red ribbon along with sounds of ululation and other Hindu rituals. Later he inspected the ward along with Rajdeep Roy and Ashok Singhal. Dr. Rajdeep Roy, who is also an orthopaedic surgeon by education, explained the various components of the lab to the CM.

Later the chief minister addressed the media and regarding this inauguration he said, “It is very good news for the people of this valley that the long standing dream which we took as a priority project is today open. The Cath Lab is finally open and will soon be operational to cater to the treatment of the people of this valley. Few days back we appointed a cardiac surgeon and in the last month, his team has successfully done 28 cardiac surgery operations. Today the Cath Lab has come after an expenditure of almost five crores, one cardiology doctor will be appointed soon and that doctor will be able to do both angiogram and angioplasty easily now. We will soon complete the ongoing project of a 500 bedded ward at SMCH. We will discuss that project on priority. In the coming year the work of dental college will also start. Indeed it’s a good day for the people of this valley and gradually we will move towards other better facilities to cater to the needs of this valley.”

On the issue of a permanent cardiologist the CM said, “I also want SMCH to have a permanent cardiologist, but the issue here is difficult because we are not getting any doctors for that appointment. The present appointed doctor might be temporary; that doesn’t mean he is less of a doctor. Temporary and permanent doesn’t matter for the patients, they want treatment and that will be there.”

Other than the issues of the medical college, he also addressed a host of other questions from the media. The CM has also assured to cater to the other needs of this medical college as this is the only such college for the entire valley and even other parts of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura. The CM then left to attend the 29th Foundation Day programme at Assam University Silchar.