Jharkhand News: Dr UK Ojha retires after 29 years of service at SNMMCH Dhanbad

SUBHASH MISHRA

Dhanbad, May 31: Dr UK Ojha, one of the senior-most professors in Jharkhand’s medical education system and Head of the Department of Medicine at Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH), Dhanbad, retired today after an illustrious career spanning 29 years.

A farewell ceremony was held in his honour at SNMMCH, attended by the current faculty, Principal Dr SK Chourasia, Superintendent Dr Dinesh Kumar Gindauria, and newly appointed HoD Dr LB Tudu.

Several retired principals and senior doctors, including Dr Kameswar Biswas, Dr Shailendra Kumar, Dr Jyotiranjan Prasad, former HoD of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dr Pratibha Rai, and Dr AKP Singh, were also present and praised Dr Ojha’s significant contributions to the institution’s academic and healthcare standards.

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Pioneer of Postgraduate Medicine Course

Dr Ojha is credited with launching the postgraduate (PG) course in Medicine at SNMMCH during his tenure as HoD. In the academic session 2024–25, the National Medical Commission (NMC) approved nine PG seats for the college, including six in Medicine and three in Orthopaedics—a milestone attributed to Dr Ojha’s efforts in academic development.

Alongside his institutional farewell, Dr Ojha was also felicitated by the Dhanbad-based social organisation, Care and Serve Foundation, today, in recognition of his dedicated service to poor and underprivileged patients.

Recognised for COVID-19 Service

In 2023, the Jharkhand state government honoured Dr Ojha in Ranchi for his exceptional service during the COVID-19 pandemic. He played a crucial role in treating critically ill patients from eight districts, including Dhanbad, Giridih, and six districts from the Santhal Pargana division, between 2020 and 2022.

Much like his predecessors, Dr Vijay Shankar and Dr Sanjay Sinha, Dr Ojha earned a reputation as a symbol of punctuality. Despite holding the position of HoD, he consistently saw the highest number of patients in the OPD and was known for prescribing the maximum number of generic medicines available at the hospital pharmacy—demonstrating his commitment to affordable healthcare.

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Career Beginnings and Progression

Dr UK Ojha began his medical career in March 1988 as a medical officer in Aurangabad. He later served in Warisaliganj, Nawada district, from 1992 before joining the then Patliputra Medical College Hospital (now SNMMCH) in 1996 as part of the Medicine department. He became an associate professor in 2009, was promoted to professor in 2013, and took charge as HoD in 2019.