NHM & AIIMS-Bhubaneswar Initiative: Doctors From Odisha Dists Trained On Comprehensive Geriatric Care

Bhubaneswar: In order to extend holistic geriatric care to rising population of senior citizens, the National Health Mission (NHM), Odisha has drawn up a programme to form a team of trained doctors at district level.

As part of the endeavour, the NHM and the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, AIIMS Bhubaneswar organised a three-day training programme for the health specialists. Medicine specialists and senior doctors from all the district headquarter hospitals, Capital Hospital Bhubaneswar and Ispat General Hospital Rourkela attended the programme.

According to an estimate, 13.1% of the total population of India are going to be senior citizens by 2031. Hence, functioning of holistic geriatric care through reorienting the existing manpower and infrastructure at district level is emphasised.

Dr Niranjan Mishra, Director Public Health and Dr Sushant Kumar Swain from the state NCD cell envisioned the barriers of healthcare for elderly people. As per the programme, the trained master trainers will guide a team at their respective workplaces dedicated to health care of senior citizens.

A multidisciplinary team from various departments from AIIMS, Bhubaneswar was involved in execution of the orientation activity.

Among others, Dr. Debasish Hota, Prof Sonu H Subba, Prof Binod Kumar Patro, Dr Swayam Pragyan Parida, Dr Abhisek Mishra, Dr Annu Antony and Dr Ambarish Das were the expert trainers.