Dr. Rizwana Noor Chowdhury (Neera)

Heavy monsoon rains in Sylhet turn the daily commute into a true test of endurance. A primary school teacher in the Amberkhana neighborhood stands in front of her noisy classroom every morning. She ignores a sharp stabbing sensation in her upper right abdomen. She assumes the spicy curries from the school canteen are just upsetting her stomach. She swallows basic antacids and keeps writing on the chalkboard. The pain eventually forces her to sit down during lessons. She hides her tears from the children. The thought of undergoing a major operation terrifies her completely. Traditional open surgery means spending weeks in a hospital bed. She cannot afford to abandon her students right before their final exams. Dr Rizwana Noor Chowdhury steps in to erase these deep surgical fears. Her patients and colleagues affectionately call her Neera. She works as a General and Laparoscopic Surgeon. Her medical foundation is deeply rooted in serving the public. She earned her MBBS degree and entered the government healthcare system through the BCS Health exams. She then mastered the operating room by completing an MS in General Surgery. You will find her treating worried patients at Mount Adora Hospital in Sylhet. The exhausted teacher finally visits the clinic when the abdominal cramps become unbearable. Walking into a surgical ward usually brings a wave of cold panic. Meeting a female surgeon changes that atmosphere instantly. Dr Neera brings a very warm and observant energy to the room. She understands exactly why a working woman delays seeking medical help. She gently examines the stomach and reviews the ultrasound reports. She spots the inflamed gallbladder packed with small stones. Explaining a surgical procedure requires genuine empathy. She grabs a blank piece of paper and sketches the abdomen. She explains the concept of laparoscopic surgery using very simple words. She tells the teacher that she will not make a massive cut across her belly. She will use tiny keyhole incisions and a small camera to remove the infected organ. She speaks in a calm voice that completely washes away the terror of the operating table. She promises the educator a very fast recovery. Traveling all the way to the capital city for advanced keyhole surgery drains a family financially. Having a highly qualified government trained surgeon right in the city is a massive advantage. The teacher gets her operation done locally in a clean environment. She recovers in her own bed surrounded by her family. Standing in front of a classroom without a single trace of pain is a quiet victory for a dedicated educator.