KIDS Organizes Odisha Dental Show 2026, UDAAN, and All India Sports Dental Summit: A Historic Convergence of Dentistry and Sports

Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences (KIDS) successfully organized a landmark five-day dental mega-event from January 7-11, 2026, in association with the Indian Dental Association (IDA). This unprecedented gathering brought together three major components: the Odisha Dental Show, UDAAN (a cultural and academic talent showcase), and the All-India Sports Dental Summit, marking the first integration of dental sciences with sports performance in India and  first of its kind in Odisha.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by eminent dignitaries from across the Indian dental fraternity. The Secretary General of IDA, Dr. Ashok Dhoble, presided over the opening ceremony along with Dr. Jugajyoti Pathi, Director of KIDS; and Dr. Subhra Nandy, President of IDA. Dr. Subash Nayak, Secretary of IDA Odisha State Branch, also participated in the ceremony, along with other distinguished guests from different states of India.

The Odisha Dental Show featured a comprehensive trade exhibition where numerous dental product companies participated and showcased advanced dental instruments and equipment. This exhibition proved to be truly helpful for delegates, providing them direct access to the latest innovations in dental technology, products, and equipment. The trade show component enabled practitioners, students, and researchers to explore cutting-edge solutions and interact with industry representatives, enhancing their knowledge of contemporary dental practice tools and technologies.

The event featured extensive sports competitions with teams participating from multiple states including Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Gujarat. The teams competed in various disciplines including cricket, football, badminton, table tennis, carrom, and other sporting activities. Participants enjoyed the world-class sports infrastructure of KIIT DU and expressed their appreciation for the vision and leadership of Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta.

During the event, KIDS showcased its extensive outreach activities and social services dedicated to oral cancer awareness and prevention in the state of Odisha. These community engagement initiatives, which demonstrate KIDS’ commitment to public health beyond clinical practice, were highly appreciated by officials from the Indian Dental Association’s head office. The presentation highlighted the institution’s role in addressing critical oral health challenges and its efforts to reach under-served populations across Odisha with preventive care and education programs.

UDAAN featured cultural performances and academic presentations, including paper and poster competitions for dental students and professionals. The event showcased talent, teamwork, and confidence through solo dance, duet dance, and group dance competitions with specified time limits and participant requirements. The summit also brought together academics, industry professionals, sports teams, dental practitioners, faculty from dental colleges, coaches, athletes, and policymakers to build awareness about the necessity of dental professionals in sports teams.

The event concluded with the IDA Odisha Marathon on January 11, 2026, themed “Run for Oral Health,” promoting community awareness about oral healthcare and wellness. This integration of sports activity with dental health advocacy demonstrated the event’s commitment to holistic approaches to oral healthcare education and public engagement.

The successful execution of this multifaceted event established a new benchmark for dental conferences in India, including Odisha, seamlessly integrating clinical education, sports science, cultural expression, and community service under one umbrella. By bringing together dental professionals, athletes, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the nation, KIDS and IDA have pioneered a holistic model that recognizes oral health as integral to athletic excellence and overall well-being.

This landmark summit not only positioned Odisha as a national hub for innovative dental education but also laid the foundation for the emerging field of sports dentistry in India, promising enhanced oral healthcare support for the nation’s athletes and sports professionals.

The event was organized under the able leadership of Dr. Jugajyoti Pathi, Director of Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences (KIDS).

KIMS Doctors Extracts Razor-Sharp Toy from 10-Month Old Baby’s Airway

Doctors at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), here saved the life of a 10-month-old boy who had accidentally inhaled a sharp, metallic LED component from a toy, leading to a critical airway emergency. The infant was rushed to the hospital in acute respiratory distress.

The situation was perilous due to the object’s sharp edges, posing a high risk of internal injury. A swift, multidisciplinary team sprang into action. Leading the procedure, Dr. Debashish Behera (Pulmonologist) successfully retrieved the foreign body using advanced flexible bronchoscopy. This was enabled by precise airway management from Dr. Amit Pradhan and the Anaesthesia team, ensuring the child’s safety throughout.

The paediatric care was spearheaded by intensivists Dr. Bandya Sahoo, Dr. Reshmi Mishra, and Dr. Mukesh Kumar Jain, who monitored the child to an uneventful recovery.

This success was entirely a team achievement, stated a senior doctor. It highlights the vital need for immediate bronchoscopic intervention and seamless collaboration in paediatric emergencies.

Doctors also issued a strong warning to parents, urging extreme vigilance regarding small, detachable toy parts that present a serious choking and aspiration hazard for young children.

The team expressed profound gratitude to KIT, KISS and KIMS Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta for creating a platform dedicated to serving the people of Odisha with advanced care and treatment.

KINS Faculty Invited as Resource Person to Chair & Speak at Global Summit-HORIZON 2025

Sri Sri College of Nursing and Faculty of Health and Wellness part of Sri Sri University (SSU) organized HORIZON-25,a Global Summit on Holistic Optimization Rallying Initiatives and Zenith of Nurturing Healthcare and SDG Attainment. The three-days international scientific conference from 22nd to 24th December 2025 was dedicated to the interdisciplinary health care system and Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on health, safety, and sustainable ways of living.

HORIZON-25 had over 450 registrations, with participants joining from various countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sweden, England, from more than 10 different states of India and 15 diverse international as well as national academic institutions like University of South Hampton UK, Far Western University (Nepal), Mid Sweden University (Sweden), Indian medical association Odisha chapter, International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), ICSSR and many more. It was accredited with 3 credits (15 CNE) by INC and ONMRC. The conference hosted 23 well-structured scientific sessions, including 10 keynote speeches, 7 plenary sessions, lead scientific session, 69 oral paper presentations, 24 posters, and 12 symposium sessions.

From Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences Mr. Chandan Pradhan, Associate Professor of Medical Surgical Nursing Department KINS, KIIT-DU was invited to this International Conference. He was assigned to Chair Sessions on Sustainable Development Goals Attainment as well as a Keynote Speaker on a pertinent topic “e-Health/Digital Health”. The invited guests and delegates were enthralled & enthused by his thought-provoking oration and gained insights on the latest facets of digital health innovations. His efforts were applauded by one and all and was felicitated by chief guest Dr. Elsa Sanatombi Devi is Professor in the Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Udupi, Karnataka and Prof. (Dr.) Tirthankar Ghosh, Dean & Professor, Faculty of Health and Wellness, SSU.

The Conference was very well conceptualized and implemented by Prof. (Dr.) Jaita Mondal Dean, Faculty of Nursing, SSU along with Prof. (Dr.) Tirthankar Ghosh, Dean & Professor, Faculty of Health and Wellness, SSU. Warm and welcoming hospitality of SSU resonated equivocally in the hearts of all delegates, invited guests and speakers during the entire event.

AAPI Global Summit Inaugurated KIMS: Being held for the first time in Odisha

Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda praised the contribution of the global Indian medical diaspora to modern healthcare, at the 19th Annual Global Summit of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), hosted by the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) here on 10th January, 2026.

Being held for the first time in Odisha, the three-day global healthcare summit, which concludes on Sunday, has drawn senior physicians, academicians and healthcare leaders from India and abroad, who have been in the state since January 6, participating in academic, clinical and community outreach engagements.

In his message to the summit virtually, the Union Health Minister said the conference had been designed as an important platform for advancing international medical collaboration and knowledge exchange. He said physicians of Indian origin had shaped modern healthcare in the United States while also creating a profound and lasting global impact through compassion, discipline and professional excellence.

Founder of KIIT, KISS & KIMS Dr. Achyuta Samanta described it as a proud moment for Odisha to host the global congregation of doctors. Addressing the gathering, he said AAPI represented over one lakh physicians of Indian origin practicing in the US and stood as a powerful symbol of global leadership and service to humanity. He highlighted AAPI’s role as a vital bridge between India and the United States through sustained academic collaboration, research, knowledge exchange and capacity building. Dr. Samanta was felicitated on the occasion.

AAPI President and Chairman of AAPI GHS Dr. Amit Chakrabarty said AAPI was the second-largest medical organisation in the US and noted that about 110 delegates had registered for the summit, several of whom were visiting Odisha for the first time. He said the choice of KIIT and KIMS as the venue was aimed at showcasing the institution’s world-class academic and healthcare ecosystem, while providing delegates an opportunity to experience Odisha’s rich culture and heritage.

Addressing the summit, Dr. Atashu Nayak, President of Odisha Physicians of America, said the platform had brought together leading physicians to discuss modern medical practices, disease prevention, diabetes and metabolism. He said while America was home to the diaspora, Odisha remained their motherland, adding that AAPI belonged collectively to its members.

Prof. (Dr.) R. C. Das, Dean and Principal, KIMS and Pro-Vice Chancellor of KIIT (KIMS) Prof. C. B. K. Mohanty also addressed the delegates. Director General of KIMS Prof. Ajit Kumar Mohanty proposed a vote of thanks.

A stem cell pledge drive was organised during the event. The three-day summit, which concludes tomorrow, features Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions, hands-on workshops, global health panels, surgical demonstrations, community outreach programmes and youth engagement activities.

KIMS Shines in 43rd IAPSMOSBCON

The 43rd IAPSMOSBCON (Odisha State Branch) was held recently at SCB Medical College & Hospital, Cuttack, on the theme “Refocusing Occupational Health: Enhancing Productivity and Wellbeing at Workplace.”

The conference featured a Keynote Session on Occupational Health was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Basanta Kumar Behera. The plenary session on cholera outbreak at Jajpur was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Sonali Kar, and a plenary session on Gastroenteritis outbreak investigations in Puri district was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) S. Suneeti Kanyari.

The Award Scientific Sessions were judged by Prof. (Dr.) Alpana Mishra and Dr. Krishna Mishra, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, KIMS.

Postgraduate students from KIMS—Dr. Subhadra Mishra, Dr. Jyotishka Mukherjee, Dr. Anwesa Roy, Dr. Jyotiranjan Sahoo, and Dr. Ipsita Ray actively participated in Oral Presentations. Dr. Ipsita Ray won the 3rd Prize in oral presentation, guided by Dr. Krishna Mishra and Dr. Sai Chandan Das on the topic titled “Evaluation of musculoskeletal problems and their determinants among drivers of a university in Eastern India”.

The cultural evening “Jhankar” featured performances by Dr. Gouri Kumar Rath and Dr. Anwesa Roy, with Dr. Gouri Kumar Rath securing 1st Prize in Solo Singing. Overall, the conference was a successful blend of academic excellence, research participation, faculty leadership, and cultural vibrancy.

ISHICON 2025 Marks Continued Growth of the Indian Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics

Prof. Narinder K. Mehra, FNA, FTWAS, FAMS, Hon. FRCP (UK), FHASc (Hungary), Hon. Emeritus Scientist, Indian Council of Medical Research Former Vice President (International Affairs), Indian National Science Academy Advisor (R&D), Kalinga Institute of Medical sciences, (KIMS), KIIT (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar President, Indian Society of Histo-compatibility & Immunogenetics (ISHI), Founder Head, Department of Transplant Immunology & Immunogenetics, AIIMS, New Delhi.

The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system, discovered nearly seven decades ago, emerged from the scientific quest to understand graft rejection. Over time, it became evident that this complex genetic system plays a far broader role in immune regulation and species survival. The unique biological function of the human Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)—binding non-self peptides for immune surveillance—parallels its extraordinary genetic diversity.

From the seminal discoveries in 1958 by Jean Dausset, Jon van Rood, and Rose Payne, when only a handful of HLA antigens were identified through serological techniques, the field has evolved dramatically. Today, the HLA system stands as the most polymorphic genetic system known, with over 44,000 alleles identified so far, and the upper limit yet to be defined. Despite significant advances in immunosuppression, laboratory diagnostics, and therapeutic strategies, antibody-mediated rejection following solid organ transplantation remains a major challenge. The field is witnessing a paradigm shift toward non-invasive graft monitoring, while precise HLA and eplet matching continues to play a crucial role in preventing donor-specific antibody formation. Tolerance induction remains a central goal, raising fundamental questions about immune regulation—particularly the role of B cells as potential allies or adversaries in achieving long-term graft acceptance.

Against this scientific backdrop, the 8th Biannual Conference of the Indian Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ISHICON 2025) was successfully held at Hotel Radisson Red, Chandigarh. The conference was organized by Prof. Biman Saikia and Prof. Ritu Agarwal of the Department of Immunopathology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, and served as a highly enriching academic platform. A major highlight of the conference was the prestigious “Narinder Mehra Oration”, instituted in honor of Prof. Narinder Mehra, currently serving as Advisor (R&D), KIMS, KIIT University. The oration this year was delivered by Prof. Alejandro Madrigal OBE (UK), who shared invaluable insights drawn from his vast experience and contributions to the field of histo-compatibility and transplantation immunology.

ISHICON 2025 witnessed enthusiastic participation from young scientists and clinicians from across India, along with nephrologists, transplant surgeons, and experts in transfusion medicine, reflecting the multidisciplinary reach and growing national impact of the society.

Founded in 2001 during Prof. Mehra’s tenure at AIIMS, the Indian Society of Histocompatibility and Immuno-genetics has evolved into a vibrant professional body dedicated to education, research, and translational advancement. The successful conduct of ISHICON 2025 was graciously acknowledged with thanks and honors from the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of KIIT University, recognizing the society’s continued contribution to biomedical science and education in India.

Faculties of Paediatric Surgery Department, KIMS Participate in IAPSCON 2025

IAPSCON 2025, the Diamond Jubilee National Conference of Indian Association of Paediatric Surgeons was held recently at Puri. This was a monumental moment for the IAPS Odisha Chapter, hosting revered and upcoming Paediatric Surgeons from around India. While the faculty of Department of Paediatric Surgery in KIMS, participated and contributed significantly to the conference, the residents were not far behind, presenting eye-opening academic papers and winning accolades and appreciation.

Prof (Dr.) Pradeep Kumar Jena, HOD and Professor, Department of Paediatric Surgery opened the Annual chapter meeting and the conference with an insightful and highly appreciated talk on Paediatric Surgery in Odisha: Past, Present and Future. He continued as a chairperson in the challenging discussion of Biliary atresia and Liver Transplantation. The true moment of pride came with his felicitation and receipt of the Diamond Jubilee award for his immense and continuing contributions to the growth of Paediatric Surgery in India.

Prof (Dr.) Subrat Kumar Mohanty, Professor in Department of Paediatric Surgery, became a chairperson for an extremely interesting and in-vogue panel discussion on 3D Imaging and Bio-printing, a novel insight into advanced imaging techniques and its utilization in management protocols of different conditions in Paediatric Surgery.

Dr. Harish Chandra Tudu, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatric Surgery, was a judge in an extremely endearing and impactful Postgraduate paper session pertaining to Paediatric Thoracic surgery, with multiple unique papers and research being presented.

Dr. Varsha. M. Totadri, Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatric Surgery, was a judge in a youthful Postgraduate paper session, discussing unique cases, series and original research in Paediatric Gastrointestinal surgery, encouraging the residents to invest in learning and advancements.

She also presented her unique IAPS observer-ship experience, in Paediatric Urology, at SRIHER, Chennai and received an IAPS National fellowship certificate and prize money for the same. On the last day of the conference, she joined an esteemed panel discussion as a panellist, to discuss Complex Paediatric Surgical Oncology cases- presenting a unique and challenging case from KIMS- Multidisciplinary management of metastatic Hepatoblastoma and the utilization of TACE in our centre as a first in Odisha for the same. The panel was well received and discussed. She ended the conference by moderating the highly anticipated and exciting Postgraduate symposium on “How Postgraduates perceive Paediatric surgery and the future ahead”. The session was a first of its kind where postgraduates took the mantle as panelists and presented on unique and non-academic topics- inciting hot discussions amongst seniors and juniors alike.

The icing for the IAPSCON journey was the well appreciated paper presentations by the postgraduates from KIMS (General Surgery residents)- Dr. Anshika Singh (2nd year Junior resident); Dr. Yash Maheshwari (1st year Junior resident) and Dr. Abhishek Bhavanam (1st year Junior resident). All 3 residents presented unique cases from KIMS, managed by Paediatric surgery department, with Dr. Anshika Singh winning best paper presentation in her session for her case on “The Unexpected Hidden Danger Of Lightning Strike: A Rare Case Report Of Bladder Injury”. For her achievement she received a medal, a certificate of appreciation as well as the 2nd volume of the much awaited IAPS textbook- a true honour for our department and our hospital.

Overall, IAPSCON Puri, 2025 was a true success, giving an opportunity to showcase the inherent as well as growing talent and knowledge of Paediatric Surgery Department in Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences.

KINS Faculty Invited as Resource Person to Chair & Speak at the ICSSR Funded Global Summit-HORIZON 2025

Sri Sri College of Nursing and Faculty of Health and Wellness part of Sri Sri University (SSU) organized HORIZON-25,a Global Summit on Holistic Optimisation Rallying Initiatives and Zenith of Nurturing Healthcare and SDG Attainment. The three-days international scientific conference from 22nd to 24th December 2025 was dedicated to the interdisciplinary health care system and Sustainable Development Goals, with a special focus on health, safety, and sustainable ways of living.
HORIZON-25 had over 450 registrations, with participants joining from various countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sweden, England, from more than 10 different states of India and 15 diverse international as well as national academic institutions like University of South Hampton UK, Far Western University (Nepal), Mid Sweden University (Sweden), Indian medical association Odisha chapter, International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), ICSSR and many more. It was accredited with 3 credits (15 CNE) by INC and ONMRC. The conference hosted 23 well-structured scientific sessions, including 10 keynote speeches, 7 plenary sessions, lead scientific session, 69 oral paper presentations, 24 posters, and 12 symposium sessions.
From Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences Mr. Chandan Pradhan, Asso. Prof. of Medical Surgical Nursing Department KINS, KIIT-DU was invited to this International Conference. He was assigned to Chair Sessions on Sustainable Development Goals Attainment as well as a Keynote Speaker on a pertinent topic “e-Health/Digital Health”.

The invited guests and delegates were enthralled & enthused by his thought-provoking oration and gained insights on the latest facets of digital health innovations. His efforts were applauded by one and all and was felicitated by chief guest Dr. Elsa Sanatombi Devi is Professor in the Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Udupi, Karnataka and Prof. (Dr.) Tirthankar Ghosh, Dean & Professor, Faculty of Health and Wellness, SSU.

The Conference was very well conceptualized and implemented by Prof. (Dr.) Jaita Mondal Dean, Faculty of Nursing, SSU along with Prof. (Dr.) Tirthankar Ghosh, Dean & Professor, Faculty of Health and Wellness, SSU. Warm and welcoming hospitality of SSU resonated equivocally in the hearts of all delegates, invited guests and speakers during the entire event.

Odisha’s First-Ever State Pain Conference Kicks-Off at KIMS

The first-ever ‘Annual Odisha State Pain conference’ kicked off at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) on  6th December, 2025. Inaugurating the two-day scientific meet, Vice-Chancellor of Odisha University of Health Sciences, Dr. Manas Ranjan Sahoo highlighted the crucial role of anaesthesiologists in surgical success, stating that “behind every successful surgeon, there is a good anaesthesiologist.” 

He stressed that pain management is the key to positive surgical outcomes and assured that OUHS will soon introduce dedicated courses on pain medicine in Odisha. He also announced plans to start PhD programmes for doctors under the OUHS umbrella and urged experts to conduct Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes on pain management to strengthen academic exchange. 

The two-day conference is being jointly organised by the Department of Pain Medicine and the PG Department of Anaesthesiology, KIMS, under the aegis of the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP), Bhubaneswar City Branch. The theme of the conference, “Shaping the Future of Pain Medicine in Odisha and Beyond,” aimed to bring together leading clinicians and experts to exchange knowledge, share innovations and collectively advance the field. 

Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology, KIMS, Dr. Amrita Panda, said the conference encompassed all aspects of pain management and focused on holistic and evidence-based approaches for better patient outcomes. President of ISSP Odisha Chapter, Dr. Ritish Roy termed the response to the first edition of the conference as “phenomenal,” stating that it reflects the eagerness of doctors across Odisha to learn every aspect of pain management.

Medical Superintendent of KIMS, Prof. M. R. Behera, highlighted that pain requires a multimodal treatment approach, involving physical, psychological and medical interventions. He said the conference would deliberate on diverse dimensions of pain and its management.

National President of ISSP, Dr. Krishna Poddar, expressed her commitment towards strengthening pain medicine in India. She urged KIMS to initiate a DM course in Pain Management, adding that she envisions premier institutions like AIIMS also offering specialised courses in pain medicine in the future.

 Organising Secretary of the conference and Consultant, Department of Pain Medicine, KIMS, Dr. Rajendra Sahoo, informed that 190 delegates have registered for the conference, including participants from Nepal, highlighting the growing international interest. He further announced that KIMS is prepared to run fellowship programmes in pain management.

KIMS Commissions Odisha’s First Advanced Digital Pathology Scanner Equipment For Fast & Accurate Diagnosis

In a major leap in precision diagnostics, the Founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta commissioned state-of-the-art Digital Pathology Equipment at Department of Pathology, KIMS, first such installation in Odisha on 27th November, 2025. With this, KIMS became one of the few institutions in India to integrate fully digitized pathology into routine diagnostic and clinical services.

The newly inducted SG60 Digital Pathology Scanner is poised to significantly enhance all types of diagnosis. By enabling rapid digitization and automated slide analysis, the equipment will cut the turnaround time for several tests, especially cancer diagnosis, ensuring faster initiation of treatment for patients.

Digital slides are created when glass slides are captured with a scanning device to provide a high resolution digital image that can be viewed on computer screen or mobile device. Digital slides can be shared over networks using specialized digital Pathology software applications. Institutions using similar digital platforms have reported efficiency gains of up to 15–20 per cent per case, thanks to reduced manual handling and streamlined review workflows. The benefits are multifold.

This scanner machine will improve laboratory workflow and connectivity, increase flexibility and efficiency of the workforce. It will improve turnaround time especially in complex Cancer cases. It will also benefit patients by enabling rapid referral of cases between organizations or across Pathology networks. It enhances access to expert advice and opinion for diagnosis.

Multidisciplinary collaboration among experts and remote consultation can be done with the help of this advanced scanner. It also will be helpful to the medical students by employing a full spectrum of histopathology learning for Undergraduate and postgraduate education and external quality assurance(EQA). This scanner machine sets the stage for the use of AI (Artificial intelligence) in diagnostic services. AI and digital pathology convergence can reshape the healthcare industry.  

Designed for high-throughput performance, the SG60 supports parallel batch scanning, “load-and-walk-away” operation, and high-resolution whole-slide imaging. This allows pathology laboratories to process large volumes of histology samples swiftly while maintaining exceptional image clarity and diagnostic accuracy.

Digital pathology at KIMS will also revolutionize collaboration and case review. Advisor to the Founder Dr. R. N. Samanta; Dr.(Prof.) Ranjana Giri; HOD, Department of Pathology and other senior officials of KIMS were present at the commissioning function.