Arunachal's first oncologist, Mari Basar, passes away at 67

Itanagar: Mari Basar, a distinguished surgeon and the first oncologist of Arunachal Pradesh, passed away on Thursday at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), Naharlagun, after a prolonged illness. He was 67.                

Born on April 12, 1958, Dr Basar hailed from Nyigam village in Basar, Leparada district. He completed his early schooling at Basar and Government Higher Secondary School, Aalo, and later pursued his BSc at Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat. He obtained his MBBS in 1985 and later MS in Surgery from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.

Dr Basar later joined the Arunachal Pradesh Health Service as a GDMO in 1985 and began his career at the District Hospital, Daporijo.   

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Over the years, he served as a surgical specialist at General Hospital Pasighat, Tezu and Naharlagun, bringing relief to thousands of patients at a time when medical facilities in the state were still developing, news agency UNI reported.   

He later underwent specialised training in onco-surgery at the renowned Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, becoming the first oncologist from Arunachal Pradesh and playing a key role in advancing cancer treatment services in the state. He eventually retired from government service as a senior specialist from TRIHMS in 2016.  

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Arunachal Pradesh state branch, expressed deep shock at his demise, stating that his passing has created a huge void in the medical fraternity. The association recalled his long years of dedicated service and contribution to healthcare in the state, reports UNI.   

Dr Basar is survived by his wife, one daughter and one son. Condolences have poured in from across the state, remembering him as a compassionate doctor and committed public servant.    

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