Author: chandan giri

A unified step toward “TB-Mukt Bharat-World Tuberculosis Day 2026”  was observed with great enthusiasm by the Department of Community Medicine, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), through impactful initiatives at both Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Kalarabanka and Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC), Bhubaneswar. These activities highlighted the institution’s strong commitment to the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) and the vision of a TB-free India.

RHTC Kalarabanka Activities

At RHTC Kalarabanka, the program was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Sai Chandan Das and Dr. Geeta Chand Acharya, with guidance from Prof. (Dr.) Sonali Kar. An awareness program was organized at a local school where students were educated about tuberculosis, including its symptoms, prevention, and treatment, with active participation making the session interactive and impactful while encouraging students to act as health ambassadors in their communities. A field visit to CHC Nischintakoili, Cuttack, was also conducted, during which data on TB patients currently on treatment was collected, and insights into treatment protocols including Directly Observed Treatment (DOTS) and management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) were reviewed. Participants were also exposed to the working principles of the TrueNat system, focusing on rapid molecular TB transmission. These activities enhanced practical understanding of TB control strategies at the grassroots level and reinforced the importance of early detection and treatment adherence in achieving TB elimination. diagnosis, detection of rifampicin resistance, and the importance of early and accurate diagnosis in controlling.

UHTC Bhubaneswar Activities

At UHTC Bhubaneswar, World TB Day activities were extended to March 25, 2026, with a high-impact outreach program conducted in Panda Park Basti, targeting underserved urban populations. The initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Prem Sagar Panda, with contributions from Prof. (Dr.) Basanta Kumar Behera and supervision by Prof. (Dr.) Sonali Kar. Health education sessions emphasized early detection, particularly the need for testing in cases of persistent cough lasting two weeks or more, and highlighted the importance of strict treatment adherence to prevent drug resistance. Awareness was also created regarding the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, which provides financial support for nutritional needs during treatment, and strong efforts were made to reduce stigma by reinforcing that TB is a curable disease and patients should not face social isolation. A pledge-taking ceremony was conducted where community members committed to creating a TB-Mukt Basti by supporting each other, monitoring symptoms, and seeking timely care. The outreach also included distribution of bilingual IEC materials, demonstration of proper cough etiquette, and guidance on accessing free diagnostic and treatment services at UHTC. The program saw active participation from postgraduate students Dr. Priyanka Mohanty, Dr. Ayesha Das, and Dr. Subhadra Mishra, along with healthcare workers, ensuring effective community engagement and strengthening public awareness and service utilization.

The combined efforts of faculties, postgraduate students, healthcare workers, and community members reflect a unified and determined push toward TB Mukt Bharat.

A workshop on “Mental Stress Management” was successfully conducted on 2^nd April, 2026 at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar. The program aimed to raise awareness about mental health, understand the impact of stress in healthcare and academic settings, provide practical strategies to manage stress effectively.The program began with a warm welcome to all dignitaries, speakers and participants.

The session was introduced by Ms. Keka Roy (Nursing Educator) and Ms. Pratikshya Behuria (Clinical Instructor), who outlined the objectives of the workshop. The formal welcome address was delivered by Mrs. Gitanjali Mohanta, Nursing Superintendent, who emphasized: The growing importance of mental health awareness in healthcare; the need for supportive institutional environments and the role of emotional stability and resilience among professionals.

The workshop featured an insightful address by Prof. Amrita Lenka, a distinguished nursing professional with more than 45 years of experience in clinical practice, teaching, and administration. She has been recognized nationally for her contributions, including the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI) in 2021. She currently serves as the President of the South Asian Institute of Health Promotion (SAIHP) and Advisor to the Society of Midwives India (SOMI) Odisha Chapter.

Prof. Lenka, shared valuable insights on Mental health awareness in healthcare settings; Importance of emotional resilience; Maintaining work-life balance; and Creating supportive work environments. She also highlighted her contributions to Nursing Education and recognition at the national level.

The workshop also included an address by Dr. Dasarathi Das, Secretary of the South Asian Institute of Health Research and former Scientist-F at the Indian Council of Medical Research Dr. Das discussed on key issues such as “The link between mental stress and public health; the importance of awareness among healthcare professionals; and adoption of coping strategies such as mindfulness and peer support. His talk emphasized integrating mental well-being into healthcare practices.

The workshop covered several important aspects, including: Understanding stress and its effects on physical and mental health; Differentiating between positive and harmful stress; Techniques such as mindfulness, breathing, and relaxation; Importance of emotional resilience; Maintaining a healthy work-life balance; and Building supportive academic and healthcare environments.

The workshop concluded on a positive and reflective note, reinforcing that mental well-being is crucial for personal growth, academic success, and professional excellence, especially in the healthcare sector. The program ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs. Dipali Mohanty(DNS), expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, organizers, and participants for their valuable contributions and support.

On the occasion of World Health Day 2026, a special academic session was held at KIMS to highlight the importance of integrated public health approaches across all age groups, with active participation from multiple departments.

Observed annually on 7^th April, World Health Day marks the founding of the World Health Organization and serves as a global platform to raise awareness about pressing public health issues. Each year focuses on a specific theme that reflects current global health priorities and challenges.

Theme for 2026: “Together for Health. Stand with Science.” underscores the importance of collective action and evidence-based approaches in addressing modern health challenges. It highlights the need for collaboration across disciplines and sectors, while reinforcing trust in science as the foundation for improving global health outcomes.

A seminar was conducted on 7^th April 2026  at the Paediatric Seminar Hall. Faculty members and postgraduate students from the Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, and Community Medicine were invited to participate, reflecting a collaborative and interdisciplinary spirit in addressing current public health challenges.

The keynote talk was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Sonali Kar, Head of the Department of Community Medicine, KIMS, on the topic “World Health Day 2026 & its Convergence with Adolescent Health.”She highlighted key adolescent health challenges, with special emphasis on the GAMA framework (Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents) and the growing importance of mental health in this age group. Her talk underscored the need for comprehensive, youth-centred, and preventive strategies.

The seminar was graced by Prof. (Dr.) Manas Ranjan Behera, Medical Superintendent, KIMS, along with esteemed faculty members from various departments, making it a meaningful and enriching academic gathering.

Adding to the significance of the day, Prof. (Dr.) Basanta Kumar Behera, Senior Faculty from the Department of Community Medicine, was invited to deliver a talk at the Indian Medical Association, Bhubaneswar, held at the IMA House and broadcast via Akashvani. In his address, he highlighted the importance of the “One Health concept”, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in tackling present and future public health challenges. These engagements collectively showcased KIMS’ commitment to strengthening public health awareness and fostering academic excellence in alignment with the vision of World Health Day 2026.

The Department of Community Medicine, KIMS, successfully organized the IAPSM World Health Day Quiz 2026 as part of the World Health Day celebrations, fostering academic excellence and public health awareness among undergraduate medical students. The theme for this year’s World Health Day is “Together for Health, Stand with Science.”

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation, with 22 teams, each comprising three MBBS students from across all batches, registering for the preliminary round. The quiz competition commenced on 18^th March 2026 with an inspiring keynote address by the Dean & Principal Prof. Dr. R C Das, who emphasized the importance of public health knowledge and student engagement in national health initiatives.

Following a competitive preliminary round, the top four teams qualified for the final round, held on 25^th March 2026 at KIMS. Among the finalists, three teams were from the 2022 batch and one team from the 2023 batch, reflecting strong academic participation across cohorts.

The event was conducted under the able supervision and guidance of the Head of Department, Prof. Dr. Sonali Kar. The College Nodal Officer for IAPSM World Health Day Quiz 2026, Prof. Dr. S. Suneeti Kanyari, served as the Quiz Master for the final round, ensuring a smooth, engaging, and intellectually stimulating competition.

The final round was highly competitive and showcased the participants’ depth of knowledge and quick thinking. The Winner, First Runner-up, and Second Runner-up teams were felicitated with exciting cash prizes in recognition of their outstanding performance. The winners were Sanket Nayak, Saurav Raj Singh and Gauran Rai of the 2022 batch. The 1^st runners up were Akankshya Sahoo, Asharani Tripathy and Abhipsa Jena of 2022 batch. The 2^nd runners up were Aman Khamari, Khusish Patel and Amit Aman Behera of 2023 batch.

The winning team earned the honour of representing KIMS at the State Level Round, held on 30^th March 2026, bringing pride and recognition to the institution. This initiative not only celebrated World Health Day but also reinforced the importance of academic engagement, teamwork, and awareness of public health issues among future medical professionals.

The Department of Community Medicine extends its sincere gratitude to  Dean & Principal Prof. Dr. R. C. Das, for his unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance, which played a pivotal role in the successful conduct of this event. The Department of Community Medicine  also acknowledges and appreciates the support of all faculty members and postgraduate students, whose teamwork and commitment were instrumental in the successful conduct of the IAPSM World Health Day Quiz 2026.

The Department of Paediatrics at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences  successfully hosted the second edition of its prestigious academic conclave, KIMS Paediatrics Update 2.0, on 21^st March 2026.

The day-long event witnessed an overwhelming response, bringing together 167 paediatricians and medical professionals from various medical colleges, peripheral health centres, and corporate hospitals across the region.

The scientific program was a comprehensive deep-dive into the latest advances in child healthcare. Experts from a wide array of sub-specialities including Paediatric Neurology, Gastroenterology, Surgery, Cardiology, Haematology, Nephrology, and Paediatric Allergy and Asthma deliberated on evidence-based practices. Beyond the expert lectures, the update served as a vibrant platform for young researchers, with postgraduate students presenting their original research through poster and paper presentations, adding a crucial academic dimension to the proceedings.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by the presence of Dean and Principal, AVM Professor (Dr.) Ram Chandra Das, along with Medical Superintendent Professor (Dr.) Manas Ranjan Behera. Professor (Dr.) Seba Ranjan Biswal, Head of the Department and Organising Chairperson, welcomed the gathering. The scientific content, praised for its clinical relevance, was coordinated by Professor (Dr.) Reshmi Mishra and Professor (Dr.) Nirmal Kumar Mohakud.

A highlight of the event was the insightful oration by the chief guest, Dr. Pramod Jog, former President of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) and a faculty member at over 600 national and international conferences. In his address on “Successful Paediatric Practice,” Dr. Jog shared pearls of wisdom on building trust, effective communication, and clinical excellence, moving beyond textbooks to inspire the next generation of paediatricians.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Professor (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Sahu, Organising Secretary. He expressed profound gratitude to the KIMS and KIIT Management, and Founder Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta, for providing the infrastructure and ambience that enabled the department to strive for excellence. He remarked that the overwhelming success of the update places KIMS Paediatrics at a level comparable to many national institutes of repute. The event concluded with a valedictory session.

The 53^rd Annual National Conference of the Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSMCON 2026) was held in Silvassa, at NAMO Medical Education & Research Institute, from 26^th February to 1^st March 2026. The conference, themed “Transforming Policy to Practice for a Healthier India: The Way to Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” brought together more than 1,500 delegates including public health experts, academicians, and researchers from across the country to deliberate on strengthening preventive and social medicine in India.

Faculty members and postgraduate students from the Department of Community Medicine, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar actively participated in the conference and contributed to various scientific sessions.

Dr. Sonali Kar, Professor and Head of the Department, served as a judge for the prestigious V. N. Tripathy Award session and also evaluated an oral presentation session on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Other faculty members from the department also played significant academic roles: Dr. Smrutiranjan Nayak, Professor, judged an oral paper session and also presented a research paper during the conference on “Assessment of self-care practices among adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus residing in Bhubaneswar.”

Dr. Sai Chandan Das, Associate Professor, presented an E-poster titled- “Assessment of airflow limitation patterns among smokers in rural Odisha”. He also served as a judge for an E-poster session evaluating research presentations from participants across the country.

Dr. Krishna Mishra, Associate Professor, judged an oral paper session and presented an oral presentation on- “Assessment of the prevalence and determinants of frailty and happiness score among the elderly residents of urban slums.”

The senior resident and postgraduate participants from the department also showcased their research work: Dr. Angana Ray, Senior Resident, delivered an oral paper presentation –“Force field analysis to assess millet acceptance and consumption patterns in urban slums and rural Odisha”.

Dr. Ipsita Ray, 2^nd year Postgraduate student, presented an E-poster on “Evaluation of mental health status using DASS-21 scale and factors associated with it among drivers of a university in eastern Odisha”.

Editorial appointments and academic recognition:

Prof (Dr.) Sonali Kar has been elected Assistant Editor of the Indian Journal of Public Health under the Indian Public Health Association for the term 2026–2028.

Besides, Prof. (Dr.) Ipsa Mohapatra, received the prestigious PREACH Award 2025(Public Health Research and Evidence for a Change) in recognition for her valuable contribution as a reviewer in PREACH- 2025, 12^th December, 2025, organized by State Health Systems Resource Centre, Gujarat.

Dr. Prem Sagar Panda, Associate Professor, has also been selected as Assistant Editor of IJCM, acknowledging his contributions to the field of community medicine.

Dr. Priyanka Mohanty, final year postgraduate resident from the department secured the second runners up position in the IAPSM blog Competition 2026 for her blog titled “Room No. 45 to Rural Odisha: A Journey of Learning, Courage, and Commitment on World AIDS Day”, showcasing innovative dissemination of public health perspectives through digital media.

The outstanding contributions of both faculty and students of the Department of Community Medicine KIMS through scientific presentations, session chairing, and academic leadership highlighted the department’s continued commitment to excellence in public health research, education, and national academic engagement.

World Obesity Day is observed annually on 4^th March as a global call to action on the ongoing obesity crisis. It is spearheaded by the World Obesity Federation in collaboration with global partners including UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). The 2026 campaign theme — “8 Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity” — highlights the global scale of the challenge and the shared responsibility of every individual, community, institution, and government to address it.

Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences (KINS) celebrated the day on 02^nd  & 03^rd March 2026 with great enthusiasm and commitment. The Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing (MSN) took the initiative to organize a series of impactful activities in two days programme, Day one includes food without fire (Healthy Food and Healthy Life) competition, spot painting competition, aerobic exercise session and Day two includes panel discussion, special awareness session based on obesity day theme & reels display prepared by students of KINS.

The Food competition (theme: healthy food healthy life)event was inaugurated by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, MD, Director General; Dr. (Prof.) Niyati Das, Principal, KINS; Prof. Mrs. Kalyani Rath, Vice Principal, KINS; Dr. Prof. Anusuya Pattanaik, HOD, Community Health Nursing, KINS & Prof. Mr. Asokan R., HOD, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing. The competition was judged by Dr. (Prof.) Sujata Acharya, Dean, KISS University, Dr. (Prof.) Anusuya Pattanaik, HOD, Community Health Nursing, KINS; and Mrs. Monalisha Rout, Senior Clinical Dietician, KIMS Hospital. This event was coordinated by Mrs. Nibedita Mohanty, Associate Professor and Ms. Sarita Marandi, Tutor, MSN Dept. Food competition showcased the talents beyond cooking—such as creativity, health awareness, communication, discipline, and life skills. It encourages safe, nutritious eating habits and practical skill is essential for daily life of the students of M.Sc. 1^st, 2^nd year, B.Sc.1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th semester, GNM 2^nd, & 3^rd year.

The Spot painting competition showcased talents related to artistic creativity, health awareness, social responsibility, and visual communication skills of the students of B.Sc.1^st semester, B.Sc.3^rd semester, B.Sc.5^th semester. The event was judged by Mrs. Manasi Nayak, Senior Lecturer, KISS University and Mrs. Reena Singh, Asso. Professor, Mental Health Nursing Department, KINS. Spot painting competition was coordinated by Mrs. Shradhanjali Nayak, Tutor, KINS and Pritilagna Dash, Tutor, MSN Dept., KINS.

An Aerobic Exercise session, on the basis of World Obesity Day, aerobic exercise brings strong positive outcomes in preventing and managing obesity. Faculties of KINS & PG students participated in the event. Aerobic Exercise session was coordinated by Mrs. Devasmita Sahoo, Assistant Professor, MSN Dept.

On the 3^rd of March 2026, the formal inauguration was held at the KIMS Auditorium. The event was graced by Prof. (Dr.) Niyati Das, Principal, KINS, Prof. Kalyani Rath, Vice Principal KINS and Prof. Asokan R., HOD, MSN Department, KINS. Prof. (Dr.) Niyati Das delivered the inaugural address, followed by Prof. Asokan R., who unfolded the theme of the world obesity day.  It was followed by a Panel discussion session that attracted everyone, enthusiastic participants from both UG and PG students of KINS. The panel discussion session was lively and intellectually stimulating, with certificates awarded to the PG students of KINS. The panel discussion was coordinated by Mrs. Minati Das, Associate Professor, KINS.

A thought-provoking special awareness talk based on world Obesity day theme was delivered by Mrs. Monalisha Rout, Senior Clinical Dietician, KIMS Hospital which enriched the students’ understanding of various aspects of obesity. It helps in burning excess calories, reducing body fat, improving heart and lung function, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Regular aerobic activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, and dancing also improve mental well-being, reduce stress, and increase self-confidence.

The Reels competition showcased the acting talents of BSc 1^st semester, B.Sc. 5^th semester and GNM 3^rd year students. The event was judged by Prof. Kalyani Rath Vice principal of KINS; Prof. Asokan R, HOD, Dept. of MSN, & Dr. Magna Manjareeka, Professor, Dept. of Physiology, KIMS. Reels Display competition was coordinated by Mr. Chandan Pradhan, Associate Professor, MSN Dept, Mrs. Nibedita Mohanty, Associate Professor, MSN Dept. and Ms. Sarita Marandi, Tutor, MSN Dept. The top three performers in each competition were awarded prizes by the judges. The judges were also felicitated in appreciation of their valuable contribution.

The celebration witnessed the active participation of approximately 250 students and 40 faculty members from KINS. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Pritilagna Dash, Tutor, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, followed by delicious food arrangements for all participants by Ms. Shradhanjali Nayak, Tutor, KINS. The event successfully raised awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and collective action in addressing the growing challenge of obesity.