Bhubaneswar: Dr. Archana Barik, a senior chief medical officer at ESIC Hospital in Rourkela, has become the first doctor from Odisha to join International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH).
ICOH is a leading international scientific society, which works in close association with WHO, the United Nations and the International Labour Organization.
After completing MBBS from the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Dr Barik pursued Hospital Management from the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW) and a post-graduate diploma in Family Medicine from Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore.
She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health from ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar.
Dr Barik had played a key role as Chief Coordinator for the Sundargarh Collector during the COVID-19 pandemic and spearheaded the launch of the first-ever telemedicine services in Rourkela. Her dedicated efforts with the Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) also improved healthcare services at Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) and expanded outreach programmes, enhancing healthcare accessibility in the community.
She firmly believes that her work with the ESIC under the Ministry of Labour and Employment has given her valuable insight into the occupational hazards faced by labourers, as well as exposure to labour laws, policies, and best practices. This experience has deepened her understanding of the importance of Occupational Safety and Health.
Dr Barik has given all credit for her success to her family members, especially her husband Sandeep Bansal, DGM Vigilance at RSP, SAIL, and their daughter, who stood by her to fulfil her career ambitions. She also acknowledges the mentorship of her nodal officer, Dr Srikant Kanungo, and Dr Sanghamitra Pati, Director of ICMR-RMRC Bhubaneswar.