Dibrugarh: The Assam Medical College (AMC) in Dibrugarh reopened its renovated Pathology Heritage Museum on Tuesday. AMC Vice Principal Prof Reema Nath inaugurated the museum.
The museum’s renovation was made possible by a generous donation of Rs 3,65,650 from the 1964 alumni batch of Assam Medical College. Individual contributions from AMC faculty members also played a key role.
“The museum will be an invaluable resource for our students,” said Dr. Adity Sharma, Professor & Head of the Department of Pathology. Over 1500 specimens, collected since 1991, are housed in the museum. Declared a heritage centre by the Heritage Conservation Society of Assam (HECSA), the museum is a cherished part of the College.
A Rich History
The Assam Medical College, originally known as Berry White Medical School, was established on November 3, 1947.
The Department of Pathology began in 1948 and moved to a new campus in 1949, on a site formerly used as a horse-racing course during the British Raj.
The first head of the department was Professor AE Sunderason. Dr. Nittya Gupta followed him, collaborating with eminent pathologists Dr. NC Dey, Dr. BD Baruah, Dr. NG Banerjee, Dr. L Kakoty and Dr. Pin Taneja to establish the post mortem block, museum and administrative block.
Dr. Nepal Chandra Dey, a distinguished pathologist from Calcutta Medical College, joined the department in 1951 and became head in 1952.
Renowned for his versatility, Dr. Dey authored numerous textbooks on pathology, bacteriology, medical parasitology, mycology and tropical skin diseases, used by students in India and abroad.
Dr. Dey’s dedication to the Pathology Museum is particularly noteworthy. He meticulously arranged specimens, often spending entire days in the museum to ensure its proper cataloging and organization.