Distinguished surgeon and cancer specialist breathed his last at TRIHMS after prolonged illness
Mari Basar, a renowned surgeon and the first oncologist from Arunachal Pradesh, passed away on Thursday at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Naharlagun after a prolonged illness. He was 67. His demise has been widely mourned across the state’s medical community.
Born on April 12, 1958, Dr Basar hailed from Nyigam village in Basar in Leparada district of Arunachal Pradesh. He completed his early schooling in Basar and later studied at Government Higher Secondary School in Aalo.
He pursued his higher education at Jawaharlal Nehru College in Pasighat, where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree. Later, he went on to study medicine and obtained his MBBS degree in 1985.
Dr Basar further specialised in surgery and earned his MS in Surgery from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal. Following his medical education, he joined the Arunachal Pradesh Health Service as a General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) in 1985.
He began his professional career at the District Hospital in Daporijo and later served as a surgical specialist at several government hospitals, including General Hospital Pasighat, Tezu, and Naharlagun. During his long career, he provided treatment and relief to thousands of patients across the state.
At a time when healthcare facilities in Arunachal Pradesh were still developing, Dr Basar played a significant role in strengthening surgical services in the region. His dedication and commitment earned him respect among both colleagues and patients.
He later underwent specialised training in onco-surgery at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, becoming the first oncologist from Arunachal Pradesh. His expertise helped advance cancer treatment services in the state, and he eventually retired as a senior specialist from TRIHMS in 2016.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Arunachal Pradesh state branch, expressed deep sorrow over his demise, stating that his passing has created a huge void in the medical fraternity. Dr Basar is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son, and is remembered as a compassionate doctor and a committed public servant.
