Looking Back - Neurosurgery in India

The development of Neurosurgery in India during the past 55 years has almost paralleled the achievements of the country in "55 years of freedom". There was no trained neurosurgeon nor any department of neurosurgery in India at the time of Independence. A few general surgeons were performing neurosurgery at that time. All heads of surgical, medical and basic sciences department, considered neurosurgery, neurology and its ancillaries - neuroradiology, neuropathology, neurophysiology and neurochemistry irrelevant under the circumstances. It was a continuous struggle to get rid of this controlling yoke. Over the years, there has been a tremendous change. Neurosurgically treatable diseases are now diagnosed and referred in good time. Many ancillary diagnostic facilities are now available and the patients themselves are aware of the need to seek early neurological consultation. Neurosurgery in India is now at par with the best of such services available in the world. All necessary technological advances as well as qualified personnel are available in the country. Though the centres of excellence are based in the major metropolitan cities of the country, access to these services is easier than before. Assimilation and application of technological advances has been at such a rapid rate that many centres in India are at par with similar ones abroad