Suparjya swain 
FEATURE: When we think of high-end liver transplantation or advanced GI cancer care in India, our thoughts usually gravitate toward the metro cities — Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai. Rarely do we imagine this level of care in a Tier-2 city like Bhubaneswar. But quietly and steadily, one surgeon has changed that narrative, pushing boundaries with skill, purpose, and compassion. Meet Dr. Soumen Roy, a Senior Consultant in GIHPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, who is building a world-class liver care program from the ground up — right here in Odisha.
Born and educated in Odisha, Dr. Roy’s early medical journey began at SCB Medical College, Cuttack, where he completed his MBBS in 2006. But it was only the beginning of a long, committed path. He went on to pursue his Master’s in Surgery at PGIMER Chandigarh, one of the most competitive surgical training programs in India, followed by his super-specialization (MCh) in GI Surgery and Liver Transplantation at AIIMS Delhi, where he trained from 2015 to 2019.
He didn’t stop there. Determined to gain hands-on experience in the most complex procedures, he earned fellowships in Liver Transplantation from Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, and Minimal Access & Robotic Surgery from Max Healthcare. The crowning jewel of his academic pursuit came in the form of an international fellowship in organ transplantation at the Nobel-affiliated Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden — one of Europe’s most respected medical institutions.
In late 2019, Dr. Roy made a bold and heartfelt decision. He left Delhi’s well-established medical ecosystem to return home to Odisha. With his wife serving as a senior faculty member at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the decision was as much personal as it was professional.
“At that time, there was almost no infrastructure for liver transplant in Odisha. Most patients had to go to Chennai or Delhi, often at great emotional and financial cost,” says Dr. Roy. “I knew this had to change.”
The challenges were significant — limited infrastructure, undertrained personnel, and low public awareness around organ donation. But he didn’t flinch.
Over the past few years, he has laid the foundation for Odisha’s most successful liver transplant program at Apollo Hospital, Bhubaneswar, and has performed three successful liver transplants in the last six months alone, a feat previously considered impossible in the region — along with his mentor Dr. Neerav Goyal (Chief Liver Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Delhi) as part of the Apollo liver transplantation team.
Dr. Roy’s journey is not only about complex surgeries and advanced degrees. It’s about service beyond the scalpel. Through government health schemes like BSKY and Ayushman Bharat, he routinely performs high-end surgeries for underprivileged patients — without compromising on quality.
“I’ve never discriminated based on income or background,” he explains. “My only criteria is whether I can help the patient — and how soon.”
This commitment also led him to found the Pranamanabhav Trust, a social welfare initiative that goes beyond medical services. During the recent Rath Yatra, the Trust distributed over 2000 litres of drinking water, 160 kg of Lupon B (ORS), and first aid supplies to pilgrims. “It’s our way of giving back. Service should not end in the hospital,” he adds.
Dr. Roy’s surgical skillset is as expansive as it is refined. Over the last decade, he has tackled high-risk hepatobiliary cancers, pancreatic resections, Whipple procedures, and even Appleby operations involving complex vascular reconstructions. He has presented his work at prestigious conferences — from IHPBA World Congress in Geneva to national liver symposia in Pune and Medanta.
His robot-assisted and laparoscopic procedures are redefining how cancer surgeries are performed in eastern India. More importantly, he trains young surgeons, laying the groundwork for a self-sustaining surgical ecosystem in the region.
For Dr. Roy, organ transplantation is not just a surgical milestone; it’s a moral mission. He actively promotes cadaveric organ donation in Odisha — an area still nascent compared to southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
“We need to talk more about brain death. It’s misunderstood,” he says. “One liver, two kidneys — that’s three lives from one donation.”
Thanks to frameworks like SOTTO and NOTTO, he believes Odisha is finally catching up. His collaboration with the Indian government and public awareness campaigns are slowly changing public perception.
Ironically, Dr. Roy’s turning point came when he himself was diagnosed with fatty liver and early-stage hypertension five years ago. Rather than rely on medication, he turned to nutrition, lifestyle changes, and exercise to heal himself. Today, he advocates holistic health and diet education to his patients.
When not in the operating theatre, he spends his time swimming, working out, and conducting health awareness camps, focusing on non-pharmacological healing — diet, exercise, and mindfulness.
Dr. Roy’s vision for Odisha is crystal clear: make Bhubaneswar a hub for GI and liver surgery in eastern India. He’s already mentoring young doctors, investing in robotic surgery programs, and building global partnerships.
“Innovation doesn’t need to be born in metros. It can happen here, in Odisha — if we have the will,” he affirms.
Dr. Soumen Roy is more than a surgeon. He’s a pioneer, educator, humanitarian, and above all, a proud Odia on a mission to transform healthcare in his homeland. From the lecture halls of AIIMS Delhi to the operation theatres of Bhubaneswar, from global recognition to grassroots service, his journey is a powerful reminder that purpose-driven medicine can change lives — and entire systems.
