Berry White School of Medicine, Dibrugarh

From WWII Military Hospital to Medical Powerhouse: The 75-Year Legacy of Assam Medical College

DIBRUGARH – In the quiet corners of Upper Assam, a legacy born from a philanthropist’s dying wish and the remnants of a World War II military base has evolved into the heartbeat of North East India’s healthcare. As Assam Medical College (AMC) celebrates its Platinum Jubilee, it marks 75 years of transforming from a modest school of medicine into a premier institution that serves millions across state lines.

A Foundation Built on Generosity

The story of AMC did not begin with government decrees, but with the vision of Dr. John Berry White. A British surgeon and philanthropist, White donated his life savings of ₹50,000 to establish the Berry White School of Medicine in 1900. For decades, it produced Licentiate Medical Practitioners (LMPs), laying the groundwork for what would become the first full-fledged medical college in the region.

When India gained independence in 1947, the call for a dedicated medical college grew loud. Driven by pioneers like Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi and Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah, the institution officially began its journey on November 3, 1947. Its first home was unconventional: an abandoned United States Army hospital in the Barbari area, used during the Second World War.

From 57 to Thousands

The college's growth is a testament to the region's resilience. The inaugural batch in 1947 consisted of just 57 MBBS students. Today, that number has swelled to an annual intake of 200 MBBS and 217 Postgraduate seats. To date, over 9,000 doctors have passed through its portals, serving in every corner of the globe. [00:51]

Under the leadership of its founder principal, Dr. Hem Chandra Baruah, the college expanded its reach far beyond general medicine. It now boasts 28 departments, including eight high-end super-specialty units. In a historic milestone during its Platinum Jubilee year, the college received the green signal for DM and MCh courses, ensuring that the highest levels of medical expertise are grown locally.

A New Era of Care

The institution’s significance was further cemented on April 28, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the campus to inaugurate a state-of-the-art cancer hospital. This facility represents a "new dawn" for oncology in the North East, providing life-saving treatment to a region that has long struggled with high cancer rates.

Beyond its wards, AMC is a hub for research. It pioneered the Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU), bridging the gap between sophisticated laboratory science and community-based health needs. [01:20]

A Regional Lifeline

Today, Assam Medical College is more than just a school; it is a lifeline. Serving as a nodal center for national health programs, it acts as a primary referral point for five districts in Upper Assam and neighboring states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. With an average daily outdoor attendance of over 1,200 patients and a bed capacity exceeding 1,300, it provides essential universal health coverage. [01:28]

To honor this extraordinary journey, the Department of Posts has issued a commemorative postage stamp, immortalizing the institution that began with one man’s savings and grew to become a "beacon of hope" for the entire North East.

As AMC steps into its next chapter, it remains a testament to the fact that when philanthropy meets public will, the result is a legacy that saves lives for generations.

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Source: Based on historical records from India Post and archival footage from Currencypedia India.

     Medical education took its nascent steps in North East India with the establishment of Berry White School of Medicine, Dibrugarh in 1900. Dr John Berry White was a great philanthropist who left his will, donating his entire life savings of Rs 50,000 towards the institution which produced LMP (Licentiate Medical Practitioner) doctors until before India gained independence. When the need of having a full-fledged medical college arose in Assam after independence, the seed sown by John Berry White ensured that Dibrugarh had the first claim to the effect. Public meetings were held and citizen groups constituted to rally for a medical college in Dibrugarh. Assam Medical College, as we know today started functioning from the abandoned military base hospital of US army in the 2nd World War

in the Barbari area of Dibrugarh. First batch of MBBS in the year 1947 had 57 students. The pioneers who were instrumental in the establishment of Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh were Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi, Chief Minister, Ram Nath Das, Health Minister, Dr Bhubaneswar Borooah and others. Dr Hem Chandra Baruah was the founder principal of the college. At present Assam Medical College boasts of an annual intake of 200 MBBS seats and 217 Post graduate seats. Till date 9,172 MBBS graduates have qualified from its portals, are flying the flag of their alma mater high, shining in patient care, research as well as extra-curricular activities. The college has 28 full-fledged departments, which includes 8 (eight) super speciality departments. Whereas post graduate courses were recognized by the then MCI during the 1960s itself, the NMC has also given the green signal to DM and MCh courses in 3 (three) super speciality departments during this platinum jubilee year of the institute. 28th April 2022 was a red letter day in the annals of Assam Medical College, with the visit of honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. It witnessed the dawn of a new beginning in cancer care with the inauguration of the state of the art cancer hospital with in the premises of the college. research foundation. It was the pioneer in establishing the model rural health research unit (MRHRU) and multidisciplinary research unit (MRU). These projects have given the much needed impetus to both community based and laboratory based research work. The college has 345 faculty in its rolls. About 375 nursing staff, 300 grade 3 and 500 grade 4 employees act as support system for various medical services offered by the college. The average daily outdoor attendance is 1,239 and the total indoor bed capacity is 1,365. It is the nodal centre for many national health programs, referral centre for more than 5 upper Assam districts as well as nearby states of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Essentially, it provides universal health coverage to greater part of north eastern India. There are many allied institutes within its campus of the college, offering degree, diploma and certificate courses. Some of these are in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing (BSc, GNM, ANM) and Paramedical sciences. Assam Medical College being a residential campus, provides for accommodation of both boys and girls. There are 11 undergraduate hostels and 6 post graduate hostels with in house kitchen and dining facilities. Assam Medical College has produced innumerable gems who have gone on to become stalwarts in their fields of expertise. As it steps into the platinum jubilee of fruitful existence, it will continue to be a beacon of hope and care throughout the whole world.

Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on 75 Years of Assam Medical College and appreciate its contribution of providing quality medical services to the entire North East India. Credits: Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Smt. Vinita Sinha Cancellation Cachet : Text : Smt. Nenu Gupta Based on information received from the proponent Hkkjr PLATINUM JUBILEE IySfVue t;arh 2022 Assam Medical College vle esfMdy dkWyst Mkd foHkkx DEPARTMENT OF POSTS Assam Medical College has always had a very strong  research foundation. It was the pioneer in establishing the model rural health research unit (MRHRU) and multidisciplinary research unit (MRU). These projects have given the much needed impetus to both community based and laboratory based research work. The college has 345 faculty in its rolls. About 375 nursing staff, 300 grade 3 and 500 grade 4 employees act as support system for various medical services offered by the college. The average daily outdoor attendance is 1,239 and the total indoor bed capacity is 1,365. It is the nodal centre for many national health programs, referral centre for more than 5 upper Assam districts as well as nearby states of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Essentially, it provides universal health coverage to greater part of north eastern India. There are many allied institutes within its campus of the college, offering degree, diploma and certificate courses.

  Some of these are in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing (BSc, GNM, ANM) and Paramedical sciences. Assam Medical College being a residential campus, provides for accommodation of both boys and girls. There are 11 undergraduate hostels and 6 post graduate hostels with in house kitchen and dining facilities. Assam Medical College has produced innumerable gems who have gone on to become stalwarts in their fields of expertise. As it steps into the platinum jubilee of fruitful existence, it will continue to be a beacon of hope and care throughout the whole world. Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on 75 Years of Assam Medical College and appreciate its contribution of providing quality medical services to the entire North East India source india post\

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