Medicine – The KGP Chronicle

IIT Kharagpur and University of Melbourne forms strategic partnership over MIPA

IIT Kharagpur and The University of Melbourne continue to develop their strategic partnership through the Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA), offering opportunities for research collaboration and engagement.

Prof. V K Tewari, Director; Prof. Amit Patra, Deputy Director; Prof. Rintu Banerjee, Dean R&D and Prof. Debashish Chakravarty, Associate Dean, Alumni Affairs & International Relations welcomed the Melbourne team and discussed on the further areas of collaborations.

A team from University of Melbourne visited IIT Kharagpur, to call for project proposals from engineering, IT, science, medicine, dentistry and health sciences to establish up to three pairs of supervisors (PIs), with each supervisory team supporting one joint PhD candidate. Candidates participating in the program are jointly supervised by PIs from Melbourne and IIT Kharagpur.

Each recruited PhD candidate will receive a funding package that includes tuition fee waivers/remission scholarships, a stipend, health insurance, travel insurance, relocation and travel support. Candidates will be enrolled at, and meet, both institutions’ academic standards and requirements. They will be co-recruited and co-supervised by collaborative teams.

Candidates will work towards submission of a single thesis that meets both institutions’ requirements and undertake a final oral examination. Upon completion, candidates will be eligible to graduate with two testamurs – one from each institution, noting the partnership with the other – and participate in the convocation ceremonies at both universities, should they choose to do so.

All recruited PhD candidates must meet the eligibility requirements and be enrolled in the relevant PhD course at both universities.

For more details, visit the link below:
https://international.iitkgp.ac.in/index/

Inputs by: Ms Koushiki Mukherjee, Office of International Relations
Email: ir-office@adm.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By: Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/

Empowering Educators and Fostering Scientific Growth on Molecular Biology in Rural Areas

Rural Science Education Training Utility Program (RuSETUP) Workshop on Molecular Biology Techniques in Rural Areas

In the pursuit of promoting basic scientific knowledge in molecular biology and enhancing the educational landscape in rural West Bengal, India, a workshop on, “Basic Training on Molecular Biology Techniques for College Teachers in Rural Areas” was successfully conducted on the 6th and 7th of October 2023 jointly by School of Medical Science and Technology (SMST), IIT Kharagpur and Indian National Young Academy of Science (INYAS) under the banner of INYAS’ flagship event “Rural Science Education Training Utility Program’ (RuSETUP).

This endeavor was led by Dr. Budhaditya Mukherjee and Dr. Nishant Chakravorty, faculty members of SMST and Members of INYAS and supported by all INYAS East Zone members. The workshop was attended by 14 college teachers hailing from various institutions of Paschim Medinipur, including Hijli College, Kharagpur College, Medinipur College, K.D. College of Commerce and General Studies, and Vidyasagar Institute of Health.

The RuSETUP workshop was designed to address a pressing issue in rural education – the lack of access to cutting-edge knowledge and technologies in molecular biology. In an era where this field rapidly evolves and impacts diverse sectors such as biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture, it is imperative that educators are equipped with the latest insights and tools. Recognizing this, the workshop comprised a meticulously crafted agenda, blending theory and hands-on training, ensuring that participants gained practical experience in essential molecular biology techniques.

The workshop was inaugurated with motivating words by Dr. Rajendra Singh Dhaka, Chair, INYAS and Prof. Soumen Das, Chairperson, SMST & Officiating Dean, BCRMMRC. The events encompassed a series of enriching activities, including engaging lectures and hands-on training by SMST faculty and student volunteers Shatarupa Bhattacharya, Debolina Manna, Supratim Pradhan, Souradipa Ghosh, Subhangi Chakraborty and Mandrita Mukherjee.

The core of the workshop was in the hands-on training sessions. Participants actively engaged in practices like Plasmid DNA isolation, Genomic DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Agarose gel electrophoresis. These skills are pivotal for scientific exploration and were tailored to empower college teachers with the practical knowledge to enrich their teaching methods. Dr. Praphulla Chandra Shukla, Assistant Professor, SMST concluded the proceedings of the workshop on the second day. The participants highly valued the workshop and expressed a strong desire for additional workshops. They also requested opportunities for students from rural colleges to directly participate in events like these.

The impacts of this workshop reach far beyond its immediate audience. By equipping these dedicated educators with advanced molecular biology techniques, RuSETUP ensures a ripple effect, ultimately benefitting the students they teach. As they return to their respective colleges, they will be armed with the latest knowledge and practical skills, thereby enhancing the quality of science education in rural areas.

By nurturing an interest in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture at the grassroots level, RuSETUP indirectly contributes to the development of the entire region. This growth not only creates a knowledgeable workforce but also ignites the spark of curiosity in the young minds, encouraging them to pursue higher studies and research in these critical domains.

This RuSETUP workshop on,”Basic Training on Molecular Biology Techniques for College Teachers in Rural Areas” marks a success in the realm of rural science education and exemplifies the power of collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision to uplift educational standards in underserved communities. The event has illuminated a path towards a brighter, more scientifically enriched future for all.

Inputs by: Prof. Nishant Chakravorty, School of Medical Science &Technology, IIT Kharagpur
Email : nishant@smst.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/

IIT Kharagpur developed ‘Matri Seva’ Software for Ramakrishna Mission Home of Services

IIT Kharagpur has developed ‘Matri Seva’ – a database software, free of cost that works on patient’s particulars and database for Vivek Sanjivani, an initiative for Healthcare and Education of Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Luxa, Varanasi. The software has been hosted in the Microsoft Cloud-based server to provide easy access to all the centres. It is used for primary healthcare, mental healthcare, follow-up visits, management of chronic-disease conditions, medications management, health education and other clinical services.

Vivek Sanjivani Telemedicine Service is a real-time telemedicine solution which offers a virtual alternative to the in-person doctor’s visit. It expands access to quality patient care, especially to regions with underserved populations. It provides a way to cut down on healthcare spending and keep connected patients throughout the year. iMediX, the telemedicine system that was launched by the Computer and Science Department of IIT Kharagpur on 02 October, 2020 provided emergency healthcare services for the IIT KGP students, campus residents and employees which was further expanded to MSMEs for commercialization. Its open-source version is named iMediXcare. The telemedicine system iMedix offers special telemedicine services through Vivek Sanjivani includes psychiatrist, ENT, Medicine, Oncologist and Community Medicine at the door step of the rural people.

Speaking on Matri Seva, Prof. Jayanta Mukhopadhyay, the Lead Researcher of the open source telemedicine software iMediXcare, IIT Kharagpur remarked, “Matri Seva is an extension of services of the existing Telemedicine system iMedixcare dedicated to the service of the community that Vivek Sanjivani initiated for the underprivileged. We are still living in the pandemic which showed us where we stand as a nation when it comes to a proper Healthcare System. iMedix has served the IIT Kharagpur community providing emergency consultancy services through remote consultation by physicians. I am hopeful that this technology will be further incorporated and adopted in other community health services as well.”

Vivek Sanjivani, an initiative for Healthcare and Education of Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service, Luxa, Varanasi offers Telemedicine services through Twelve Centres in which six Stationary Telemedicine Units (STUs) are fixed at a place and six Mobile Telemedicine Units (MTUs) are roaming. It provides Mother-Child, Primary Healthcare, Adolescence Healthcare, Community Mental Healthcare, Eye Check-up, General Movement Assessment in neonates and infants and distribution of Nutritional Food Supplements in three districts including one aspirational district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and one aspirational district of Uttarakhand. During 2022-23, Vivek Sanjivani served 27,875 patients through Stationary Telemedicine Units and Mobile Telemedicine Units and conducted Non-Communicable Disease Screening for 18,878 patients. The telemedicine programs of Vivek Sanjivani are backed with a 195 bedded referral hospital of the Ashrama in Varanasi.

According to Swami Divyasukhananda, Coordinator, Vivek Sanjivani, this Telemedicine Service directly provides improved access, cost efficiency and quality healthcare services to patients from marginalised group within the reach of their homes in three Districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh including one Aspirational District and One Aspirational district of Uttarakhand. Mobile Telemedicine Units of Vivek Sanjivani offer flexible and viable options to offer healthcare facilities to the vulnerable groups in the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh.

Media Coverage :

Times of India	UNI	Deccan Herald	Indian Express
India Blooms	Amader Bharat	Colfield Mirror

Times of India Colfield Mirror

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/

SPARC Workshop Explores Critical Challenges of Children’s Healthcare

The School of Medical Science and Technology at IIT Kharagpur recently held an Indo-UK Residential Workshop in collaboration with the University of Manchester, UK, on the “Practical Management of Inherited Pediatric Hematological Disorders”. The focus was on clinical reasoning of cases related to children’s blood and bone marrow disorders using an interactive problem-based learning approach with direct interactions with globally renowned experts.

The areas covered in the workshop included the workup of the child presenting with signs and symptoms of reduction in the number of various blood cells, or cytopenias including pancytopenia or bone marrow failure. Workup included understanding the genetics behind certain syndromes, targeted testing, and treatment planning including an overview of bone marrow transplantation. Other topics covered included understanding cognitive errors in clinical decision making and computerized clinical decision support systems.

Experts from IIT Kharagpur, University of Manchester, Tata Medical Center and Tata Translational Cancer Research Centre, Kolkata, and NRS Medical College participated in this three-day workshop which was sponsored under the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), an initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India.

Among the speakers were Prof. Vaskar Saha from the University of Manchester and Director of the Tata Translational Cancer Research Center a pediatric oncologist and hematologist and an expert in the care of children with leukemia. He worked through cases with participants to guide thinking on how to approach the child with a complex bone marrow disorder to come up with a diagnosis that could then lead to a treatment plan. Dr. Shekhar Krishnan, senior consultant in paediatrics hematology and oncology at TMC-TTCRC discussed bone marrow transplant.

Diagnosis was a focus area of the workshop. Dr. Niharendu Ghara senior paediatric consultant at TMC-TTCRC Kolkata discussed targeted approaches to diagnostic testing making sure to find the right test for the right situation, Dr. Rajib De from NRS Medical College discussed thalassemia in the context of Eastern India and approaches to screening, diagnosis, and management.

Prof. Jayanta Mukhopadhyay from IIT Kharagpur’s Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering discussed automated clinical decision support systems and their role in improving clinical decision making. Prof. Sangeeta Das Bhattacharya of SMST discussed cognitive errors in clinical decision making.

Students from diverse areas such as MBBS, Masters in Medical Science & Technology, MD, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical fellows in hematology participated in the workshop. The participants gained insights from master clinicians in real-time in clinical reasoning through case-based learning.