Shimla – It’s the end of an era at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) as the institute bid a heartfelt farewell to Professor P.C. Negi, the man who dedicated 34 years of his life to revolutionizing heart care for Himachal Pradesh. This cardiology legend retires "unsung and unhonoured" today.
As he superannuated today from his role as Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology, colleagues, students, and staff gathered to honor a legacy that reads like an epic tale of commitment and vision. Dr Ashu Gupta, head of the dental college at IGMC led the farewell function at IGMC.
But Dr Negi got a warm farewell party at Adventure Galu where entire fraternity gathered to honour him.
But only heartburn amongst the medical fraternity of Himachal is that Dr Negi was not appointed as principal of IGMC by the present or previous government that would have been a befitting tribute to this doctor who rendered his yeoman services to the people of the sate at this health institution.
Dr. P.C. Negi’s story began humbly in Village Tranda, Kinnaur district.
A young boy with big dreams, he moved from his village school to Chandigarh’s DAV College, eventually landing a spot at AIIMS, Delhi, where he pursued his MBBS, MD, and later DM in Cardiology.
At a time when brain drain was the norm in the 90s, Dr. Negi had every opportunity to build a career abroad, yet his heart remained in Shimla.
In 1990, Dr. Negi joined IGMC, where heart patients had no choice but to travel to Chandigarh for basic procedures.
Within seven years, his tireless efforts resulted in the first coronary angiography in 1997, marking a new dawn for cardiac care in Himachal.
Today, IGMC’s Department of Cardiology stands as a beacon of excellence, handling complex procedures with state-of-the-art facilities, all thanks to his foundational work.
Dr. Negi’s impact didn’t stop at clinical care.
Under his leadership, IGMC has been offering DM Cardiology training since 2011, molding the next generation of cardiologists.
His research has taken him to the high-altitude terrains of Spiti, studying cardiovascular issues unique to these areas.
He also hold checkup camps in Kinnaur and Spiti thereby saving lives of natives and tourists visiting the highland region.
But perhaps his most transformative work is his role in the ICMR-led STEMI program, which has made Himachal Pradesh a national model with a remarkable 70% thrombolysis success rate for heart attack patients.
The farewell was an emotional affair, with colleagues celebrating his devotion to the people of Himachal Pradesh and his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Dr. Negi’s journey from Kinnaur to IGMC and his refusal to leave the people of Himachal behind stands as an inspiration for all doctors who dream of making a difference by serving humanity rather than running after the political class to curry favours for the top post.
The legend he leaves behind will continue to inspire generations, ensuring his legacy lives on in the hearts of those he served.
