From her fellowship at CMC Vellore, Dr. Samzai Lungalang has gained new skills and deepened her approach to paediatric anaesthesia. She hopes to use this experience to improve safety and care for children in Nagaland.
For Dr. Samzai Lungalang, the path to paediatric anaesthesia was not defined by a single moment, but by a growing awareness of the gap in care for children in her home state of Nagaland, India. As a Consultant Anaesthesiologist at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) in Dimapur, she often encountered the challenges of managing paediatric surgeries in a setting with limited resources and no trained paediatric anaesthesiologist.
“Working in Nagaland made me realise how limited infrastructure and the lack of trained personnel can compromise the safety and comfort of children,” she said. “It strengthened my resolve to pursue paediatric anaesthesia and ensure safer care for children in resource-limited settings.”
The WFSA Paediatric Anaesthesia Fellowship at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, offered the perfect opportunity. With a structured curriculum, expert mentorship under Dr. Ekta Rai, and a wide spectrum of paediatric cases, Dr. Lungalang knew the skills and exposure she would gain could improve care back home.
A Supportive Beginning
Arriving at CMC Vellore was both exciting and humbling. On her first day, she was warmly welcomed by Dr. Ekta Rai, and the office staff helped her settle in smoothly. The first week focused on orientation and observation, learning theatre routines and familiarising herself with paediatric cases. “I immediately felt part of a very supportive and collaborative learning environment,” she recalled.
Hands-On Learning and Growth
Over six months, Dr. Lungalang gained extensive experience in neonatal and infant anaesthesia, paediatric airway management, invasive lines, regional techniques, and non-operating room anaesthesia. Exposure to advanced surgeries including thoracoscopic, neurosurgical, cardiac, and robotic procedures honed her skills, while discussions with Dr. Rai deepened her clinical reasoning.
She also learned the finer points of perioperative care, including meticulous theatre preparation, fluid and temperature management, and postoperative pain control. These lessons reinforced the child-centred care she hopes to bring back to CIHSR.
From Observation to Research
Beyond clinical work, the fellowship offered opportunities for academic growth. Dr. Lungalang initiated a study on perioperative hypothermia in paediatric patients. “Hypothermia can seem like a small issue until you witness its impact,” she said.
She turned that observation into a structured study to guide improvements in perioperative care. With Dr. Ekta Rai’s mentorship, the project grew into a meaningful initiative involving a multidisciplinary team and plans for future interventions. For Dr. Lungalang, it was a reminder that even in low-resource settings, meaningful improvements start with curiosity and careful attention.
The Final Phase and Broader Exposure
The final months were particularly rewarding. Rotations through the CTVS, Neurosurgery, Neonatal ICU, and Paediatric ICU exposed her to high-risk infants, ventilatory strategies, and precise fluid management. Time in the PMR department introduced her to chronic pain management in children.
Academic experiences, including attending the ISACON conference and an airway workshop, expanded her professional network and perspectives on paediatric anaesthesia.
Reflecting on her mentorship, she said, “Learning under Dr. Ekta Rai has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my career. One lesson that will stay with me is her reminder that ‘every small step in preparation can change the entire outcome for a child.'”
Looking Beyond the Fellowship
Outside the hospital, Vellore offered opportunities for quiet reflection, cultural experiences, and meaningful connections. Shared meals and long conversations made the fellowship feel not only educational but deeply human.
Dr. Lungalang’s vision for paediatric anaesthesia in Nagaland is ambitious yet grounded. She hopes to establish a structured, child-centred service at CIHSR, introduce routine safety practices, strengthen team-based education, and continue initiatives like the Happy Smile initiative in collaboration with Smile Train. Her ultimate goal is a system where no child has to be referred elsewhere due to lack of local expertise.
“I aspire to see a time when no child in Nagaland has to be referred elsewhere,” she said. “Change begins with one person willing to start, and this fellowship has made me believe that’s possible.”
This fellowship was supported by SPANZA.
The WFSA offers its fellowships to anaesthesiologists from low and middle-income countries to increase their skillset and become leaders for anaesthesia once they return to their home countries.
