Dr Shabnam Bahar Barbhuiya wins National Award for transforming blood donation awareness
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 national-level 'Champion of Rural Surgery’ honour in recognition of her sustained efforts to encourage voluntary blood donation among rural communities.
According to Awaz News, the award was presented during the 30th annual conference of the Association of Rural Surgeons of India, organised at IIMSAR and Dr BC Roy Hospital in Haldia on February 5. The recognition was granted to five doctors along with an equal number of paramedical personnel from different regions of the country, with Dr Barbhuiya emerging as the sole awardee from the Northeast. She earned the distinction for her outreach initiatives aimed at spreading awareness about voluntary blood donation across several villages of the Barak Valley.
Close associates stated that for nearly five years, she has been actively working to promote the cause, consistently engaging with communities to reshape public attitudes toward blood donation. According to them, she strongly believes that awareness can significantly transform societal perceptions, and she continues to pursue this mission tirelessly at multiple levels.
Speaking to The Daily, Dr Barbhuiya said, “I am overwhelmed by this recognition in West Bengal. This honour will motivate me more to fulfil my professional duties. I give the credit to all the blood donors, voluntary organisations and blood centre workers for this achievement. I thank the Barak Valley Voluntary Blood Donors Forum, especially, for standing by our blood centre and working tirelessly for the society.” Explaining her mission, Dr Barbhuiya said, “Many patients still lose their lives because they do not get blood on time. Thus, it is very important to create awareness so that healthy people donate blood regularly.”
Many organisations of the Barak Valley have also lauded Dr Barbhuiya for bagging such a prestigious award. Congratulating the doctor, the Barak Valley Voluntary Blood Donors Forum, an organization operating in the Barak Valley region of Assam that organizes, promotes, and facilitates voluntary blood donation camps, has appreciated the progress made by the doctor. Even an official felicitation ceremony was organised by Cachar district unit of the Forum on February 10 at the Cachar Cancer Hospital Blood Centre, honouring Dr Barabhuiya.
