Dibrugarh: Assam Medical College (AMC), the oldest medical institute in the North-East region, celebrated its diamond jubilee this week to mark 60 years although its service to healthcare and medical education started by Dr. John Berry White dates back to 1900s.

Dr. John Berry White, a Philanthrophist and surgeon, had come to India to work under the East India Company in 1870. He had been offered the position of a civil surgeon in the Lakhimpur district.

Looking at the desperate health situation, he took a momentous decision to start a medical school in the year 1898-99 at Dibrugarh Assam, which was the then center of industrial growth, with a personal donation of Rs.50,000 (about 5 million rupees by today's value).

But there were few takers for the course. He had even to persuade the local youth to join his school to become doctors - no qualification was required.

At present, the 'Berry White Medical School' (named after Dr. John Berry White) is functioning at the abandoned barracks of a US military hospital during World War two with equipment donated by the American Military Field Regiment Hospital for Eastern Operations.

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