Sealdah Municipal Hospital was transformed to Campbell Medical School in 1874 on the rising demand of modern and scientific treatment as a part of various projects for raising the image of the British Government after the Sepoy Mutiny and end of the rules of East India Company. Later in 1948 it was upgraded to Campbell Medical College & Hospital, whose name has been changed to Nilratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital, in the name of Sir Nilratan Sircar, one of the brightest student of the College and renowned physician of the country. A small establishment of the beginning has become Nilratan Sircar Medical School & College (NRS), one of the biggest Medical College & Hospital of the country. In 2023, NRS has celebrated its 150th Birthday throughout the years.
In this long period of 150 years, innumerous renowned, bright and skilled doctors have been passed from this College. Sir Nilratan Sircar ( 1861-1943), Dr. Haymabati Sen, Dr. Ramchandra Datta, Dr. Vece Paes, the member of the Bronze winning Olympic Hockey Team(1972), Dr. Giita Ghosh, first Lady Paratrooper, and many other doctors, famous in various fields have been completed their student life in this college. This NRS is also famous for its world famous research works. In 1912 Sir Kedar Nath Das invented a customized forceps for the Bengali women which are suitable for the pelvis of Bengali women. In Medical History that is named as Das’es forceps or Bengali forceps. After 10 years, in1922, Sir Upendranath Brahmachari invented a medicine for Black Fever, named Urea stibamine. After Independence, in the 1950’sDr. Sambhunath Dey, the Head of the department of Pathology, has invented cholera toxin. Durga, the first test tube baby of India and world’s second, was born due to the hidden research of Dr. Subhash Mukhopahyay, while he was working in this college. In recent days, the latest treatment of newborn babies, separation of Siamese Twins, valve replacement of heart, etc. revolutionary treatments have been first started in this Hhospital. Dr. Bidhan Chandra Ray, the second chief Minister of West Bengal, was a professor of this college during 1912-1918. Professor Subir Chattopadhyay – Pediatrician, Dr. D.C. Dan – Professor of Nursing, Dr. Subir Biswas – eye specialist, Dr. Baidynanth Chakraborty – Gynecologist and Fertility Physician and many other legendary figures of the Indian Medical world were the professors of this college.
In Current years, there are 250 Seats for MBBS and 122 seats for MD and MS in 37 Departments of NRS Medical college. The seats for DM and MCh courses are 16 and 15 respectively. About 4700 people have come to the Outpatient department of this 1920 bed hospital from all over the state. Doctors and medical staff are working 24X7 throughout in the departments of this Hospital to save people’s lives constantly.
The celebration of 150 years is celebrated through various events throughout the year. Among these events, a mega event will be held on 10th to 12th of February in the college premises by the 150 years celebration committee of the NRS Medical School and College Ex-students Association. The ex-students of this college will come to attend this prestigious event from various countries all over the world. Besides the main event on 10th, they will also participate in the various scientific sessions and workshops, organized in these three days.
Dr. Abhijit Ghosh- Chairman of the committee, Dr. Sourav Datta – Organising Secretary, Dr. Manas Gumta, Dr. Dwaipayan Mukherjee, Dr. Souren Panja, Dr. Amit Das, Dr. Satyadip Mukherjee and many other renowned doctors and ex-students of this college have been present in a press conference called at Press Club Kolkata on this event. The speakers have discussed the past and present of the college and the future plans of the Ex-students Association.
