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Yam Bahadur Roka
याम बहादुर रोका
A man in a suit holding a trophy against a backdrop reading "Icons of Healthcare"
Roka receiving the Icons of Healthcare Award in Singapore, 2018.[1]
Born (1971-09-26) September 26, 1971 (age 53)
Balewa, Baglung District, Nepal[2]
NationalityNepali
EducationMBBS – Banaras Hindu University; MS (General Surgery) – Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences; MCh (Neurosurgery) – National Academy of Medical Sciences (Nepal)
Alma materBanaras Hindu University, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, National Academy of Medical Sciences (Nepal)
Occupation(s)Neurosurgeon, professor, poet
Years active2000–present
TitleProfessor of Neurosurgery
SpouseDr. Narayani Roka (Consultant Ophthalmologist)[2]
Children2[2]
AwardsSuprabal Jana Seva Shri (2019);[3] Icons of Healthcare Award (2018)[1]

Yam Bahadur Roka (Nepali: याम बहादुर रोका; born 26 September 1971) is a Nepalese neurosurgeon, academic, and poet. He is the president of the Nepalese Society of Neurosurgeons (NESON) and has been a leading figure in developing neurosurgical services in eastern Nepal. Roka was the first individual to receive an MCh degree in neurosurgery from the National Academy of Medical Sciences in Nepal.[4] He has authored over 100 scientific publications and is also noted for his poetry, published in his series 108 Poems.[5]

Early life and education

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Roka was born in Balewa, Baglung District, Nepal. His father, Padam Bahadur Roka, served in the Indian Army, and as a result, Roka spent parts of his early childhood in India.[2] He attended boarding schools in Madras, Kalimpong, and Belgaum, completing his higher secondary education in 1989.[2] Initially, he briefly studied zoology at the University of Delhi, but later pursued medicine. He earned his MBBS degree from Banaras Hindu University in 1997 and completed an MS in General Surgery at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2000.[2] Motivated by the need for specialized neurosurgical care in Nepal, he returned to his home country and joined the faculty of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan as a lecturer.[2] In 2004, Roka began his neurosurgery residency at the National Academy of Medical Sciences (Nepal)|National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) in Kathmandu under the mentorship of Upendra Devkota. During his residency, he completed a two-year fellowship in skull base and cerebrovascular surgery at the National Neuroscience Institute in Singapore. In 2008, he earned his MCh in Neurosurgery from NAMS, reportedly becoming the first graduate of the program.[4]

Career

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After completing his training, Roka worked at BPKIHS, contributing to the establishment of neurosurgical services in eastern Nepal. He later moved to Biratnagar, where he led the neurosurgery department at the Neuro Cardio and Multispecialty Hospital. Over a span of approximately 15 years, he performed thousands of neurosurgical procedures and organized free health camps to reach underserved rural populations.[1] In 2023, he joined Gandaki Medical College in Pokhara as Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery.[6]

Roka has served as a visiting faculty member at NAMS (Bir Hospital) in Kathmandu and as a supervisor for the neurosurgery training program of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan.[6] He has been a key figure in national and international clinical research, serving as a principal investigator in trials such as the STICH II and CRASH-3 trials.[7][8]

Research and academic contributions

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Roka has published over 100 scientific articles covering topics such as neurotrauma, cerebrovascular surgery, and skull base surgery. He has participated as a site principal investigator in major international trials, including the STICH II and CRASH-3 studies, and contributed to research on traumatic brain injury and hydrocephalus in Nepal.[7][8] He also co-authored a study on a height and mid-upper arm circumference (MAC)-based weight estimation formula for neurological patients, published in the Nepal Journal of Neuroscience in 2024.[9]

Roka has held several editorial roles. He served as Editor-in-Chief of the Nepal Journal of Neuroscience and was on the editorial board of the Journal of Nepal Medical Association.[10] He has also peer-reviewed for several international journals, contributing to the advancement of neurosurgical research.

Literary works

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In addition to his medical career, Roka is known for his literary contributions. He is the author of the poetry series 108 Poems, which—starting with volumes published in 2019 and 2020—has grown to include up to 12 volumes as of 2024. The series reflects his unique perspective as both a neurosurgeon and a poet, blending scientific rigor with creative expression. His work in this field has been featured in national newspapers and literary journals.[5]

Awards and honors

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Roka’s contributions to medicine have earned him numerous accolades:

  • Nepal Bidya Bhushan “K” (2023) – Academic decoration conferred by the President of Nepal.[2]
  • Suprabal Jana Seva Shri Medal (2019) – Awarded by the President of Nepal for public service in healthcare.[3]
  • Icons of Healthcare Award (2018) – Recognizing excellence in neurosurgery, presented in Singapore.[1]
  • R. Zilinskas International Excellence Award (2018)
  • Indo–Nepal Shiromani Award (2015)
  • Doctor of the Year – Dahal International Foundation (2014)
  • Medical Person of the Year (2012, 2011) – Conferred by Janabidroh National Weekly and Biratnagar Jaycees, respectively.
  • Multiple international fellowships and travel grants, including the ILAE Epilepsy Travel Fellowship (2004), WFNS Codman Fellowship (2009), and a travel award at IOEC (2010).

Memberships and affiliations

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Roka is a member and fellow of several international and Nepalese professional organizations:

Personal life

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Roka is married to Dr. Narayani Roka, a consultant ophthalmologist, and they have two children.[2] Outside his professional activities, he is known for his adventurous spirit. Roka is a certified scuba diver (PADI), has participated in skydiving, paragliding, and white-water rafting, and is passionate about outdoor activities. He also pursues literary interests through his poetry and other writings.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Adhikari, Hari (31 July 2018). "Dr Roka receives 'Icons of Healthcare 2018' award in S'pore". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Dr. Yam Bahadur Roka – Profile". Hamrodoctor. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  3. ^ a b "Awards & Recognition". Dr. Yam Bahadur Roka Official Website. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  4. ^ a b "About Dr. Yam Bahadur Roka". Dr. Yam Bahadur Roka Official Website. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  5. ^ a b Pahari, Sara (2023-05-05). "Cutting Words: A Surgeon's Poetic Journey". My Republica. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  6. ^ a b "Prof. Dr. Yam Bahadur Roka – Head Of Department (Neurosurgery), Gandaki Medical College". Dr. Yam Bahadur Roka Official Website. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
  7. ^ a b "Surgical trial in lobar intracerebral haemorrhage (STICH II): a randomised controlled trial". Lancet. 382 (9890): 397–408. 3 August 2013. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60986-1. PMID 23726393.
  8. ^ a b "Effects of tranexamic acid on death, disability, vascular occlusive events and other morbidities in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (CRASH-3): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial". Lancet. 394 (10210): 1713–1723. 9 November 2019. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32233-0. PMID 31623894.
  9. ^ Karn, Pallavi; Roka, Yam Bahadur (2024). "Development and Validation of a Height and MAC-Based Weight Estimation Formula in Neurological Patients". Nepal Journal of Neuroscience. 23 (3): 31–36. doi:10.3126/njn.v21i3.68767.
  10. ^ "Editorial Team". Nepal Journal of Neuroscience. Retrieved 2025-03-27.
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