Dr Shabnam Bahar Barbhuiya Recognised for Promoting Voluntary Blood Donation in Rural Barak Valley
Silchar: Dr Shabnam Bahar Barbhuiya, Head and Medical Officer of the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre Blood Centre in Silchar, has been conferred the prestigious national-level ‘Champion of Rural Surgery’ honour. The recognition celebrates her dedicated efforts in encouraging voluntary blood donation across rural communities in the Barak Valley region of Assam.
The award was presented during the 30th annual conference of the Association of Rural Surgeons of India, held at IIMSAR and Dr BC Roy Hospital in Haldia on February 5. The honour was bestowed upon five doctors and an equal number of paramedical professionals from different parts of the country. Notably, Dr Barbhuiya emerged as the only awardee from the Northeast region.
Dr Barbhuiya earned the distinction for her extensive outreach initiatives aimed at spreading awareness about voluntary blood donation in several villages of the Barak Valley. Over the past five years, she has actively engaged with rural communities to address misconceptions and encourage regular blood donation among healthy individuals.
Close associates highlight that her sustained campaigns have helped reshape public attitudes toward blood donation. Through awareness drives, camps, and community meetings, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that more people understand the life-saving importance of donating blood.
Expressing her gratitude, Dr Barbhuiya said she felt overwhelmed to receive such recognition in West Bengal. She noted that the honour would further motivate her to fulfil her professional responsibilities with greater dedication and commitment.
She credited the achievement to voluntary blood donors, blood centre staff, and supporting organisations. In particular, she thanked the Barak Valley Voluntary Blood Donors Forum for consistently standing by the blood centre and contributing selflessly to society.
Emphasising her mission, Dr Barbhuiya pointed out that many patients still lose their lives due to the unavailability of timely blood supply. She stressed that raising awareness and motivating healthy citizens to donate blood regularly remains crucial to saving lives.
Several organisations across the Barak Valley have lauded Dr Barbhuiya for receiving the prestigious award. To mark the achievement, the Cachar district unit of the Barak Valley Voluntary Blood Donors Forum organised an official felicitation ceremony on February 10 at the Cachar Cancer Hospital Blood Centre, honouring her contribution to public health and rural service.
