History of NE-IADVL
A Legacy of Dermatology in North East India
The history of the North East States Branch of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists — NE-IADVL — is closely intertwined with the development of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology as recognised specialties in North East India.
From a time when dermatological diseases received limited independent attention within the medical system to the establishment of an organised regional professional body, the journey of NE-IADVL reflects decades of dedication, academic growth, professional collaboration and service to the community.
What began with only six founder members in 1988 gradually evolved into a vibrant professional association representing dermatologists across the North Eastern region.
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Members of the reception committee of the First Annual conference of N.E. State Branch of IADVL.
The Early Years of Dermatology in the North East
The roots of organised dermatology in the region go back several decades before the formal establishment of NE-IADVL.
Before Independence, Dermatology and Venereology had not yet developed as independent specialties in Assam. As recalled by Dr. Tarun Chandra Saikia in his presidential address, common skin diseases at the Berry White Medical School in undivided Assam were managed under the Department of Medicine, while venereal diseases were treated under Surgery.
There was no defined curriculum for these specialties at the time. Missionary hospitals in Shillong, Jorhat and a few other centres, however, undertook pioneering work in the treatment of leprosy.
The establishment of the first medical college in Assam at Dibrugarh in 1947 marked an important development in medical education in the region.
A major milestone followed in 1957 when the Department of Dermatology was started at Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, and Dr. Tarun Chandra Saikia joined as a dermatologist. Gauhati Medical College was formally inaugurated in 1960.
These developments laid the institutional foundation for the subsequent growth of dermatology in North East India.
Evolution of IADVL and Dermatology in the Region
At the national level, the first inaugural session of the Association of Dermatologists & Venereologists of India was held in Bombay in 1947.
In 1951, the Indian Association of Dermatologists & Venereologists — IADV — was formed through the merging of the Bombay, Calcutta and Madras chapters.
The Dermatological Society, India — DSI — came into existence in Calcutta in 1960.
In 1973, IADV and DSI merged to form the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists — IADVL.
During 1973–74, Dr. Jogesh Das, Dr. Kamala Kanta Das and Dr. K. N. Barua joined as the next three qualified dermatologists of the North East region, further strengthening the emerging specialty.
Birth of the North East Regional Association
The defining moment came in 1988.
The North East Regional Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists was formed as a representative body of dermatologists, venereologists and leprologists from the seven sister states of North East India:
Assam
Arunachal Pradesh
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Tripura
The association began with six founder members and was subsequently known as the North East States Branch of IADVL.
Dr. Tarun Chandra Saikia, recognised in the presentation as the first qualified dermatologist of North East India, became the Founder President of the North East States Branch of IADVL.
Dr. Jogesh Das was elected as the first Secretary of the branch.
Their leadership marked the beginning of an organised dermatology movement that would bring professionals from across the geographically diverse North Eastern region onto a common academic and professional platform.
The First Annual Conference – 1988
The first Annual Conference of the branch was held in Guwahati on 10th and 11th November 1988.
The inaugural conference was attended by 31 delegates representing Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
The archival material preserved in the presentation includes photographs of the reception committee of this historic first Annual Conference as well as the editorial board of its first souvenir.
The souvenir of the inaugural conference was released by Shri A. S. Choudhury, the then Hon. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Assam.
These photographs represent some of the earliest documented moments in the institutional history of the North East States Branch of IADVL.
Growth of Postgraduate Dermatology Education
The year 1988 was significant not only because of the formation of the regional association, but also because postgraduate teaching in Dermatology began at Gauhati Medical College.
Postgraduate teaching at Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh followed in 1994–95.
The development of postgraduate education helped build a new generation of trained dermatologists in the region and strengthened the academic foundations of the specialty.
In 1996, Manipur formed its own State Branch of IADVL.
DERMACON Comes to Guwahati
One of the most important milestones in the history of the branch came in 1997 when Guwahati hosted the 25th Silver Jubilee Annual National Conference of IADVL — DERMACON.
Hosting a national conference of this stature represented a major achievement for the dermatology community of the North East and demonstrated the increasing academic and organisational strength of the branch.
Strengthening the Organisation
The early years of the new millennium saw NE-IADVL further strengthen its institutional structure.
In 2005:
The Constitution of the North East States Branch of IADVL was printed.
A Directory of Members was published.
The “North Eastern Journal of Dermatological Science” was released, with Dr. Nasiur Rahman serving as its editor.
These initiatives represented important steps in formalising the branch’s administration, membership communication and academic publishing activities.
On 8th May 2008, the North East States Branch of IADVL was registered at Guwahati.
Another important milestone followed in August 2008 with the launch of the NEIADVL Newsletter, the official bulletin of the branch.
The newsletter was introduced as a twice-yearly publication, with Dr. Rajib Gogoi serving as its first editor.
Development of Chapters
NE-IADVL developed its regional network through city and regional chapters.
The branch initially functioned with four chapters under its umbrella:
Guwahati
Dibrugarh
Shillong
Barak
In 2019, the Nagaland Chapter was established, increasing the total number of chapters to five.
According to the historical presentation, NE-IADVL had grown to 163 members by 2019, comprising 132 Life Members and 31 Provisional Life Members of IADVL.
This growth — from six founder members in 1988 to 163 members by 2019 — reflects the remarkable expansion of dermatology as a specialty throughout the North East.
Academic Activities and Conferences
Academic advancement has remained one of the central pillars of NE-IADVL.
CUTICON NE States is organised as the Annual Conference of the branch in different parts of the North Eastern region, catering to the academic and scientific needs of dermatologists.
MIDCUTICON is also organised annually on a smaller scale at different locations across the region, traditionally during June or July.
Over the years, the branch has successfully organised:
National-level training programmes
Scientific workshops under the aegis of IADVL
Continuing Medical Education programmes
Seminars
Symposiums
Skin health camps
Awareness programmes
Awareness walks and talks
Through these initiatives, NE-IADVL has created opportunities for continuing professional development while also taking dermatological awareness beyond academic institutions and into the wider community.
Community Outreach and Public Awareness
Community service forms another important part of the branch’s history.
The archival photographs in the presentation document numerous activities conducted by NE-IADVL and its chapters, including free skin and STD health camps, World Skin Health Day programmes, Vitiligo awareness initiatives, public education programmes and awareness walks.
Activities depicted in the presentation include programmes promoting awareness of topical steroid misuse and the quality of life of patients living with vitiligo.
The photographs from 2019 also demonstrate participation by different chapters and medical institutions across the North East in public-awareness initiatives and community dermatology programmes.
These activities illustrate the branch’s commitment to taking dermatological education beyond professional conferences and making reliable skin-health information accessible to the community.
Awards and National Recognition
The contributions of NE-IADVL and its members have received significant recognition at the national level.
Best Branch Award – 2007
The North East States Branch received the Best Branch Award for 2007 at DERMACON 2008, Chandigarh.
Teacher Par Excellence – Guruvandana Award, 2009
Prof. K. N. Barua, former Principal and Head of Department of Gauhati Medical College, became the first dermatologist from the North East States to receive the Teacher Par Excellence — Guruvandana Award.
The honour was presented at DERMACON, Bangalore.
Teacher Par Excellence – Guruvandana Award, 2013
Prof. Jyoti Nath was honoured with the Teacher Par Excellence — Guruvandana Award at DERMACON, New Delhi.
Best Small Branch Award – 2017
The branch received the Best Small Branch Award for 2017 at DERMACON 2018, Kochi.
Lifetime Achievement Award – 2018
Prof. K. N. Barua was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at DERMACON, Kochi.
Teacher Par Excellence – Guruvandana Award, 2018
Prof. Debeeka Hazarika was honoured with the Teacher Par Excellence — Guruvandana Award at DERMACON, Kochi.
These recognitions reflect both the collective achievements of the branch and the outstanding contributions of dermatology teachers and leaders from the North Eastern region.
From Six Founders to a Flourishing Dermatology Community
The story of NE-IADVL is a story of growth.
From six founding members and a first conference attended by 31 delegates in 1988, the branch expanded over the following decades into a structured professional organisation with multiple chapters, regular academic conferences, scientific publications, postgraduate education, public-health initiatives and national recognition.
By 2019, the membership documented in the presentation had reached 163 members.
Yet the significance of this journey extends beyond numbers.
It represents the transformation of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology in North East India — from specialties that once had little independent academic presence to an established and flourishing field supported by generations of teachers, clinicians, researchers and young dermatologists.
Continuing the Legacy
The history of NE-IADVL has been shaped by the vision of its pioneers, the dedication of successive generations of members and a sustained commitment to education, scientific exchange and community service.
Through conferences such as CUTICON and MIDCUTICON, scientific programmes, training initiatives, publications, awareness campaigns and community outreach, the North East States Branch has continually worked to strengthen dermatology throughout the region.
Its journey — from six founding members to an expanding professional community — is a testament to what sustained academic collaboration and institutional commitment can achieve.
As expressed in the historical presentation, the branch’s enduring aim has been to provide the best possible dermatological healthcare to patients while advancing academic training for students and future dermatologists.
NE-IADVL continues to carry forward the legacy created by its pioneers — honouring its history while working towards new milestones in dermatology, venereology and leprology across North East India.