Page 60 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 5 | June - July 2024

Surgery intrigued me

because of its immediacy
and the tangible
difference it makes in
patients’ lives.

Dr. Avtar Singhsachthep is a seasoned general
and colorectal surgeon with over four decades
of experience, largely spent at Bumrungrad
International Hospital. As one of the first
Sikh doctors at an international hospital in
Bangkok, his journey from Delhi University
to becoming a cornerstone of Bumrungrad
International Hospital’s surgical department
is a testament to his dedication and hard work.
When I met him, Dr. Avtar shared insights
into his background, professional journey, and
observations in the evolving field of surgery. His
extensive experience, coupled with his ability
to communicate across cultures, underscores
the importance of a holistic approach to patient
care. Personally, as someone who’s hoping to
enter the medical field in some form or another
in the future, I can honestly say that seeing Dr.
Avtar’s commitment to providing top-notch
medical services to patients from all walks of
life is nothing short of aspirational.

Tell us a little about your personal and
professional background.
I was born and partly raised in India before
attending boarding school at St. George’s
College, Mussoorie. After graduating in 1971,
I went on to study pre-med in Chandigarh for
a year before receiving a full scholarship from
the Indian government to attend what was then
the University of Delhi (now Delhi University),
where I studied at Maulana Azad Medical
College. I graduated in 1977 and came to
INSIDE the What drove you to become a general
Bangkok for my internship, eventually taking
the Thai medical exam and embarking on my
surgical training.

surgeon?
OPERATING Surgery intrigued me because of its immediacy
and the tangible difference it makes in patients’
lives. The ability to directly solve a problem
and see the results was a significant factor in
my decision to pursue general surgery.
Insights from Dr. Avtar
Singhsachthep’s four ROOM What was the process like getting
licensed in Thailand with a degree from
decades in surgery Delhi University?
at Bumrungrad
International Hospital. VIEW VIDEO: Getting licensed in Thailand was straightforward
for me, although I understand it has become
B Y AYU SH MADAN more challenging over the years. The diseases
and medical conditions in Thailand and India
are quite similar, which helped. Learning Thai
was crucial, and I took lessons from a retired
Thai teacher to become proficient.

60 | MASALA MAGAZINE JUN-JUL 2024