by Nava Thakuria
Guwahati: Eminent neurologist and healthcare visionary Dr Nomal Chandra Borah, founder of the GNRC Universal Health Mission and the GNRC Group of Hospitals, has been conferred with two prestigious national lifetime achievement awards, marking a rare double honour for his five decades of service to medicine and community healthcare.
Dr Borah was recently honoured by the Indian Academy of Neurology (IAN) and the Association of Nurse Executive–India (ANEI), recognising his outstanding contributions to neurology, nursing leadership and the expansion of affordable healthcare services in eastern India and beyond.
In its citation, the IAN—India’s apex body of neurologists—praised Dr Borah’s pioneering role in advancing neurological research, education and clinical excellence. The academy described his journey from humble beginnings to national prominence as “monumental for Assam and the nation,” citing his integrity, perseverance and vision in establishing the region’s first comprehensive neuroscience centre and extending specialised neurological care to previously underserved populations.
The ANEI, one of the highest professional bodies in Indian nursing leadership, also bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award on Dr Borah, lauding him as a visionary physician and committed social reformer. The citation highlighted his path-breaking initiatives such as GNRC Medireach, Swasthya Mitra and the Universal Health Mission, which have significantly improved access to affordable healthcare in rural and marginalised communities. It also acknowledged his key role in setting up the Asian Institute of Nursing Education in 2004, now recognised as a leading centre for nursing education and leadership development.
Accepting the honours, Dr Borah dedicated the awards to his patients and their families, as well as to his colleagues, mentors, students and the entire GNRC fraternity. “I remain committed to making healthcare more ethical, equitable and accessible for all,” he said.
Founded in 1985 as the Guwahati Neurological Research Centre, GNRC has since grown into a prominent chain of tertiary care super-specialty hospitals across Assam and West Bengal. Dr Borah has earlier been honoured with several national recognitions, including the Mitali Bhuyan Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award (2023), the Lakshminarayan Award (2022) and the Double Helical National Health Award (2017), in recognition of his enduring contribution to affordable healthcare in eastern India.
