Healthcare in Northeast India has made significant strides over the years, with various initiatives transforming the medical landscape and improving access to essential services. Among the many institutions contributing to this progress, the GNRC hospital’s Dispur unit stands out, a testament to 38 years of dedicated service to the region’s population. Established in 1987 by Dr. Nomal Chandra Borah, the GNRC group of hospitals was founded with a vision to meet the healthcare needs of nearly 60 million people across Northeast India. Today, this vision has expanded with multiple units located in Guwahati, Barasat (West Bengal), and North Guwahati, as well as a pool of community health workers working tirelessly to bring healthcare closer to rural and semi-urban populations.
What truly differentiates GNRC Healthcare, especially since its inception in Dispur, is its unwavering focus on community care. While the challenge of affordable healthcare persists nationwide, GNRC has made it a priority to address this issue head-on. The hospital has worked tirelessly to make healthcare services not just accessible but affordable to all, especially those in marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities.
At the heart of this initiative lies Dr. Borah’s commitment to healthcare, which goes beyond the simple provision of medical treatment. He has long believed that healthcare should not be limited to curing illness alone, but should also encompass a broader sense of duty and responsibility towards the people it serves. His passion for public health and wellness is rooted in the philosophy that every individual deserves to live a healthy life, regardless of their financial or social background.
This philosophy has driven the launch of several groundbreaking initiatives, with the Affordable Health Mission (AHM) standing out as a key example. Designed to offer accessible, high-quality healthcare at a reasonable cost, AHM seeks to tackle the barriers faced by everyday people in obtaining medical care. More recently, the announcement of “GNRC Cares” during the foundation day celebrations at the Dispur unit of GNRC hospitals has generated interest and is set to make a significant impact in the region.
Dr. Borah’s commitment to the healthcare cause was further evident when he personally donated a significant sum of Rs. 1 crore from his personal savings to fund GNRC Cares. This gesture, made on January 5, 2025, during the hospital’s foundation day celebration, highlighted his personal investment in the initiative and his dedication to improving healthcare in the region. What made the event even more poignant was the presence of Kanak Sen Deka, a well-respected journalist and intellectual, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. Deka’s presence sent a powerful message to the public—healthcare is a community effort, and bringing it closer to the people is of utmost importance. The choice of Deka, someone from the community, was symbolic of the hospital’s core belief: healthcare must be accessible, affordable, and truly for the people.
The GNRC Cares initiative is designed to cater specifically to senior citizens, a demographic that often faces challenges in accessing healthcare services due to distance, mobility issues, or lack of family support. GNRC Cares seeks to address these challenges by offering healthcare services at the doorstep of the elderly, ensuring that they can receive the medical attention they need without the need to travel long distances or navigate complex healthcare systems. By doing so, GNRC Cares brings healthcare into the homes of those who need it the most, allowing senior citizens to enjoy a better quality of life in the comfort of their homes.
One of the most significant aspects of GNRC Cares is its holistic approach to healthcare. The program encompasses a wide range of services, including home blood collection, psychological support, 24/7 accident and emergency services, executive health check-up packages, home pickup and drop for OPD visits and admissions, and home delivery of medicines. Telemedicine services are also on the horizon, offering patients the convenience of remote consultations. This comprehensive care model not only caters to the medical needs of individuals but also offers emotional support and logistical assistance, recognizing that healthcare is not just about treating physical ailments but also ensuring the well-being of patients on all fronts.
Dr. Borah’s vision for GNRC is deeply rooted in the belief that healthcare should be inclusive, affordable, and compassionate. At the heart of this vision is the conviction that healthcare is a fundamental right for all, and it is the duty of the medical community to ensure that no one is left behind. His statement during the foundation day celebrations encapsulated this philosophy: “GNRC serves as a testament to the conviction that healthcare should embrace both compassion and affordability.” He emphasized that the organization’s mission is not just about providing high-quality healthcare but also about elevating healthcare standards in Northeast India and ensuring that medical services are accessible to all, irrespective of their social or economic status.
In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, GNRC’s initiatives are aligned with the global aim of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, at all ages. Through its tireless efforts, the GNRC group has proven that healthcare does not need to be a privilege for the few but a right for the many. In this pursuit of “Health for All, Smiles for All,” the organization continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare, striving to serve every section of society with compassion, excellence, and empathy.
In a world where healthcare access remains a significant challenge, especially for rural and economically disadvantaged populations, GNRC’s model serves as a beacon of hope. The launch of GNRC Cares is a testament to the group’s unyielding commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the Northeast and ensuring that everyone, regardless of age or background, has access to the medical care they need. As the healthcare needs of India continue to evolve, initiatives like GNRC Cares set an inspiring example for other institutions to follow—one that prioritizes community care, affordability, and, above all, compassion.
