Dr. Capt. Vijai Shankar Singh

Dr. Capt. Vijai Shankar Singh, a member of the Medical Council of India, has served the country and its citizens in various capacities. Starting with the Army in 1967, he has gone on to serve as an administrator, an organisational leader, a teacher and a social worker, demonstrating exceptional courage, determination and a remarkable sense of responsibility.

National Awards:

• Dr. B.C. Roy National Award in Orthopaedic Faculty – 2005, presented by the then President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

• IMA Dr. A.K.N. Sinha National Award – 2000.

Army Service:

Dr. Singh served in the Army Medical Corps from 1967 to 1973. As the Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) with the 8 Sikh Regiment, posted in the Uri sector of Jammu & Kashmir during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment while serving close to the battlefield. During his posting, he provided selfless medical treatment to soldiers and local villagers and played an important role in the evacuation and care of wounded soldiers.

During a post-war patrol in a forward area, two soldiers fell from a height near the bank of the Jhelum and remained untraceable. With permission from his Commanding Officer, Dr. Singh sought the help of local villagers, who assisted in locating and rescuing the injured soldiers. Both soldiers survived. In recognition of his fearless service, he was recommended for the Vir Chakra by his Battalion and Brigade.

Administration:

Dr. Singh has served as Professor and Head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Patna. Prior to this, he served at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) in various positions in the Department of Orthopaedics. He has authored and contributed to research papers published in leading state and national journals. He subsequently served as Director-in-Chief, Health Services, Government of Bihar (1999–2000), and as a Member of the Board of Governors of IGIMS, Patna (1997–2000).

Medical Organisation and Public Service:

As Honorary State Secretary of the IMA Bihar State Branch from 1984 to 1990, Dr. Singh organised Abhiyan Tika Partirakshan from Danapur to Patna City in 1987. The large-scale immunisation campaign administered approximately two lakh shots without complications and became an important initiative in disease prevention and immunisation.

During the devastating floods in Bihar in 2008, Dr. Singh, along with 20 other doctors, camped in Saharsa and Madhepura for 15 days and extended medical assistance to more than 30,000 villagers affected by the calamity.

As a Patron, he has been organising an annual mega health camp at Ara for the past 20 years. The camp brings together nearly 400 experts from Allopathy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Naturopathy, Acupressure and Physiotherapy, providing free treatment to more than 20,000 patients.

Key Professional Positions:

• President, IMA Bihar State Branch (2003–04 and 2004–05).

• National Senior Vice President, IMA Headquarters (2009–10).

• Secretary, Bihar Orthopaedic Association (1984–90).

• President, Bihar Orthopaedic Association (1998–99).

• President, Central Zone of Indian Orthopaedic Association (1999–2000).

• President, Bihar State Health Association (1992–94).

• Vice President, Indian Red Cross Society, Bihar State Branch.

• Member, Senate, Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara, Bihar.

• Member, Medical Council of India.

Education and Scholarship Initiatives:

Dr. Singh organised two conferences for Veer Kunwar Singh Siksha Nidhi at Tara Mandal, Patna, and the IMA Building, Patna, through which more than 150 patron members were enrolled. He also contributed ideas for donor membership to strengthen the fund and scholarship support for students and remains actively associated with the functioning of Babu Veer Kunwar Singh Siksha Nidhi.