Challenges Faced by Neurosurgeons in North East India: A Young Neurosurgeon's Perspective

Abstract North East India is a conglomeration of seven states comprising 8% of the total land mass of India. It accommodates 3.75% of the total Indian population. Being sparsely populated and having fewer healthcare facilities than other parts of the country, only one neurosurgeon caters to a population of 2.5 million. Of these neurosurgeons, almost 80% are located in and around the capital cities of the region. This part of the country has very few dedicated neurosurgery centers, and states like Mizoram still lack a neurosurgeon. Here, we present a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional analysis of 50 young neurosurgeons currently practicing in North East India regarding the challenges faced by them in day-to-day practice of neurosurgery. The median age of the respondent was 42 years, including a single female neurosurgeon. Twenty percent of the neurosurgeons are employed in government hospitals, and 62.5% are working at the junior level. Practicing neurosurgery in North East India is associated with added challenges in the form of a lack of adequate infrastructure and staff, patient awareness, and poor connectivity. Regular health camps, robust utilization of telemedicine, and the setting up of basic neurosurgery-equipped centers in the periphery can help in overcoming these challanges.