Many organisations in Silchar have taken exception to the cardiology department of the Silchar Medical College and Hospitals (SMCH) not having a doctor till today. What has offended them more is the fact that despite the authorities at SMCH having selected a doctor for the said department and sending a file in relation to his appointment to Dispur back in the month of March itself, the appointment is yet to take place due to alleged red tape.

 Due to the absence of a cardiologist, many patients, over a long time, have had to suffer. Some of them even had to face death due to the lack of proper treatment.

As such, under the longstanding pressure and suasion of the public of Silchar, the SMCH authorities made effort to appoint a specialist cardiologist named Dr. Rakesh P. Gopal, who was with Chennai Apollo Hospitals.

Gopal also paid a visit to SMCH in March 2020, and expressed his desire to take up the role. The Principal of SMCH, Dr. Babul Kumar Bezbaruah, therefore, sent the file for Gopal's appointment as the cardiologist for its cardiology department in the same month. However, no action has been taken on that file till today, thereby leaving the public angry and offended.

Two Silchar-based organisations including Peoples' Science Society have submitted a memorandum on Wednesday to CM, Sarbananda Sonowal and Health Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma demanding appointment of Gopal at the earliest. Several other organisations are also demanding the same.