Awards & Achievements

Opthamol-Lab

Department of Community Medicine
Started in 1992

gmch-Community

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Sr No. Awards and Achievements
- Department has been actively involved in multi-dimensional academic and research endeavors and also in providing compressive health care services: preventive, curative along with health promotion to the community. Faculty members involved in guiding PG Students not only of Community Medicine but also other Departments and MPH students of Panjab University. Department has undertaken several Research Projects and also a series of Workshops/academic events were organized during the year. Major achievements of the Department during last one year are:
(a) In Teaching and Research Field
• Seventeen (17) Research Publications by the faculty during last one year in various National and International journals.
• Professor N.K. Goel also delivering invited lectures at Homeopathy Medical College, Sector 26 Chandigarh.
• Professor N.K. Goel continues to be as visiting professor and Supervisor and Dr Dinesh Walia, DrMeenuKalia and Dr Ravi Rohilla to be Supervisors for the MPH course at the Centre for Public Health, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
• Dr Dinesh Walia got Emerging Scholar Award at 9th Annual Conference of Health, Wellness and Society at Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society, at University of California Berkley in USA during September 19-20, 2019 and he presented paper “Reproductive and Sexual Health Needs of Adolescent Students”.
• Project Report of a large scale funded project “Impact of Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Services (AYFHS) On Reproductive and Psycho- Sexual Health” (PI-Dr Dinesh Walia) sponsored by Department of Health Research (DHR), M/o Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India conducted in eight states of India has been submitted.
• Five DST funded Projects are under different stages of progress.
• Faculty members delivered invited lectures and also continued guiding PG students of GMCH and gave academic inputs to MPH Course of Panjab University, Chandigarh.
• Faculty members contributed by active roles in various Administrative Committees, Research Committee, Institutional Ethics Committee and PG Thesis Committee etc.
• Patient care and Maternal Health services at RHTC, UHTC were restored even during lockdown along with Covid-19 activities.
• Faculty members attended various International and National Conferences and presented papers, delivered invited lectures; Chaired sessions at various National, State and District Level workshops/training programmes.
• Prof.N.K.Goel, Dr.DineshWalia, Dr.Deepak Sharma and Dr.MeenalThakre attended 47th Annual national Conference of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine held on 28th -30th January 2020 at Mahabalipuram organized by Institute of Community Medicine, Madras Medical College, Chennai and presenting papers in the Conference and also Chaired scientific sessions.
• Prof.N.K.Goel, Dr.M.K.Sharma, Dr.SoniaPuri and Dr.MeenuKalia attended Annual Conference of Indian Public Health Association 2020 at AIIMS New Delhi and presented their respective papers. Three faculty members also Chaired the scientific sessions and acted as evaluators.
• Dr Dinesh Walia also participated in various other academic events at AIIMS Patna and SMVD University Katra (J&K).
• Faculty members also provided administrative support through contributing in various committees eg. IEC, PG Committee and Research Committee.
• A number of Academic events including Workshops/Seminars/FGDs were organized.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) of threeFGDs on the following topics on May 10-11, 2019:
1) Health Facilities in India: How Much Friendly for Adolescents and Youths?
2) Role of Health Care Providers, NGOs, Teachers and Family Members in Strengthening Adolescents and Youths Friendly Services.
3) Formulation of New Strategies for Psycho-Social and Reproductive Health Issues of Adolescents and Youths.
(b) Covid-19 Related Activities :
• Department of Community Medicine continues to be the Nodal Agency for IDSP reporting of GMCH.
• In the current Covid-19 pandemic, Department remained fully functional since lockdown.As Nodal Agency, Department is actively involved in the task of contact tracing of Covid-19 cases assigned by Chandigarh Administration and providing services round the clock for taking care of Covid-19 patients and their family members in South Zone of Chandigarh.
• Department remained actively involved in COVID-19 related activities including contract tracing, screening and survey of High Risk Population including NRIs.
• Continued support to Administration in combating pandemic in all activities and facing challenges time to time attending daily war room meetings and assisted in implementing strategies through IDSP with full support of faculty and staff with great zeal.
• Department took the challenge of catering services to community by the Department in South Zone of Chandigarh through field visits and tracing contacts for timely screening of close contacts of cases, assigning specified areas/ clusters including containment zones to faculty members as team leaders.
• One Editorial published and one paper accepted for publication. A number of other papers are under process of publication.
• Six (06)projects related with COVID-19 submitted for approval/funding, details as below :
1. “Epidemiological Study of Exposure to Covid-19 infection and its outcomes among health care workers “ (PI: Dr NK Goel) submitted for funding to DST.
2. “Impact of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic on domestic violence against women in urban slums of Chandigarh (PI-Dr Dinesh Walia ) submitted for funding to ICSSR.
3. “Attitude and compliance towards Quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic” PI: Dr Ravi Rohilla) is submitted for funding.
4. One Project on Covid-19 is submitted by Dr Deepak Sharma.
5. Two projects on Covid-19 are submitted by Dr Meenu Kalia.
• Some more projects are under process of formulation.
  Ongoing Activities:
• Facility for investigation of Complete Blood Picture, Peripheral Blood Smear for Malaria Parasites, Blood grouping, Sputum for AFB (TB), Lipidogram, Renal Function Test, Blood Sugar, Liver Function Test, Urine examination, VDRL, HIV ELISA, ECG are available.
• Dexa Scan and Mamography services to the community in various camps and at UHTC, RHTC and GMCH on routine basis through MMV in collaboration with Radio Diagnosis Department.
• UHTC-44 & RHTC, Palsora are recognized as Microscopy Centre under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme.
• Conducted Health Surveys/Population surveys under different National Health Programs.
• Teaching, Training , Patient Care, Research, Imparting Health education/training to community & health functionaries.
• Faculty members involved in guiding PG Students not only of Community Medicine but also other Departments and MPH students of Panjab University.
• Various National Programmes viz Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), Reproductive and Child Health (RCH), Pulse Polio Immunization, National AIDS Control Programme, RMNCH &A, WIFS etc. under National Health Mission are being implemented/evaluated in catchment area through centres with the involvement of students, health care providers and community.
• Department has been the Nodal Agency /Coordinating Centre for :
1. Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) reporting of GMCH.
2. Pulse Polio Immunization.
3. Swine Flu reporting of GMCH.
4. Facility Based Maternal Death Review.
5. Hospital Based Cancer Registry at GMCH Chandigarh.
6. Dengue outbreak response, GMCH Chandigarh.
• Epidemiological investigations of outbreaks of communicable diseases.
• Regularly conducting School Health Programmes.
• Regularly conducting socio-demographic surveys in catchment areas.
• Two ICTCs at the centres i.e. RHTC and UHTC are effectively functioning.
• Various health education campaigns have been organized in the community by RHTC Palsora and UHTC sector 44.
• World Health Day, World Breastfeeding Week, World Population Day, No Tobacco Day National, World AIDS Day, World Cancer Day, National Deworming Day, World Environment Day, National Environment Awareness Campaign and Red Ribbon Club are celebrated in the community with community participation.
• A number of IEC activities are conducted by the Community on regular basis.
  On-Going Projects :
1. A comparative study to assess the quality of life among Married & Unmarried individuals in Panjab University – MPH thesis.
2. A study about the knowledge, attitude and practices of Drivers and Conductors regarding First AID Box and its use in buses passing through Tricity, Chandigarh – MPH thesis.
3. A study about knowledge & practices of Sanitation and Hygiene of Hostels inmates of Panjab University – MPH thesis.
4. Quality of life of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and its relation with treatment pathways and co-morbid conditions – MD Thesis.
5. Strengthening evidence based Family Planning Services in pre-service education in India – UNFPA Project.
6. Determinants of Lactation Amenorrhea & use of complementary planning methods among worker of Chandigarh – DST Project.
7. Prevalence patter & correlates of substance use among children and adolescent in Urban slums of Chandigarh(U.T).
8. Evaluation of INTERNSHIP Programme.
9. KAP Study of New Medical Entrants.
10. Geriatric care Survey.
11. KAP Study of Mothers of Medical Students for Communicable diseases.
12. KAP Study of Mothers of Medical Students for NON-Communicable diseases.
13. KAP Study of Mothers of Medical Students for RCH/MCH.
14. Epidemiological study to assess the quality of life among cancer patients – MPH Dissertation.
15. A cross sectional study about knowledge and practice of contraception usage among urban slum population of Punjab – MPH Dissertation.
16. To assess the prevalence, predictors and triggers of Migraine Headache among students of Panjab University, Chandigarh.
17. A study to evaluate the social media trends among university students.
  Workshops/Symposiums Organized By the Department: Conducted a series of ICMR/DST/SERB/CSIR Sponsored Workshops/Symposiums/Seminars
• Symposium on “ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH FRIENDLY HEALTH INITIATIVE (AYFHI) THROUGH MENTORING PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS” at GMCH Chandigarh (August 27-28, 2015).
• Conducted training Programmes on “NATIONAL VECTOR BORNE DISEASES CONTROL PROGRAM “FOR MEDICAL AND PARA MEDICAL STAFF OF GMCH.
• Workshop on “BIOSTATISTICAL ASPECTS OF RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS (RCT) AND MEDICAL ETHICS” at GMCH Chandigarh (Sept 21-23, 2012).
• Symposium on “MENTORING FOR PROMOTION OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH” at GMCH Chandigarh (Sept 07, 2012).
• Symposium on “GENDER PREFERENCE AND SOME REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CHALLENGES” at GMCH Chandigarh (Sept 29, 2012).
• Workshop on “RANDOMIZED RESPONSE TECHNIQUES FOR SENSITIVE SURVEYS” at GMCH Chandigarh (Oct 20, 2012).
• Organizing Secretary Focus Group Discussion: “HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CANCER MANAGEMENT WITH COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) USE: SOME CHALLENGES AND PROBLEMS” at GMCH Chandigarh ( May 27, 2014).
• State Level Data Triangulation Workshop on District Epidemiological Profiling of HIV/AIDS situation, July 27-29, 2010 at GMCH Chandigarh in collaboration with NACO, and UNDP/UNAIDS.
• CME “Public Health Updates of Vector Borne Diseases in Chandigarh and neighboring states”"on 10th of October 2017.
• Series of workshops were held on Integrated Diseases control Programme and Zika Virus.
• Five training Programmes on National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program “For Medical and Para Medical Staff of GMCH.
  Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) on the following topics on May 10-11, 2019 :
• Health Facilities in India: How Much Friendly for Adolescents and Youths?
• Role of Health Care Providers, NGOs, Teachers and Family Members in Strengthening Adolescents and Youths Friendly Services.
• Formulation of New Strategies for Psycho-Social and Reproductive Health Issues of Adolescents and Youths.
  Other Projects/Thesis Topics :
1. Still births in Chandigarh – A hospital based study. – DST, Chandigarh (U.T.).
2. Diagnostic and Treatment Delay among Newly Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients under RNTCP Chandigarh. - M.D. Thesis.
3. An Assessment of Health Financing for Rural and Urban Health Training Centres in Chandigarh. - DNB Thesis.
4. Epidemiological study of early childhood caries among the children in Chandigarh city. – MPH Dissertation.
5. Out of pocket health expenditure in urban and rural areas of Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation.
6. Epidemiological study of road traffic congestion in tricity of Chandigarh, Northern India. – MPH Dissertation.
7. Psychiatric morbidities among adolescents in the colleges of Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation.
8. Study of community based insurance in tricity of Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation.
9. Epidemiological study of teenage pregnancy in Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation.
10. Prevalence of DAS among the students of Panjab University, Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation.
11. Prevalence of DAS among the school going adolescents (13-18 years) in schools of tricity of Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation.
12. Assessment of Maternal & Child Health Services under NRHM - M.D. Thesis.
13. Evaluation of Sale and Presence of Banned Drugs in Tricity [Chandigarh, Panchkula (Haryana) & Mohali (Punjab)] – MPH Dissertation.
14. Nutritional Status of Children availing Mid-day Meal Scheme in Government Schools of Chandigarh – MPH Dissertation.
15. Substance Abuse in School going Children of Urban Shimla. – MPH Dissertation.
16. Natural Mentoring and its Impact on Adolescents Health – ICMR.
17. Ocular morbidity among the school children of Chandigarh. – DST.
18. Natural Mentoring and its Impact on Adolescents Health – ICMR.
19. Evaluation of Health Services provided in Urban Health Training Centre-44 & Rural Health Training Centre, Palsora Chandigarh – DNB Thesis.
20. Epidemiological Study for Default in the RNTCP category – II Tuberculosis patients in Chandigarh – M.D. Thesis.
21. Assessing the prevalence of bullying in children of high schools. – MPH Dissertation.
22. A study to determine the prevalence and correlates of workplace stress in the employees of Panjab University. – MPH Dissertation.
23. Status of operationalization of Motor Vehicle Act 1988 in Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation.
24. An epidemiological study of hypertension in staff of industrial training institutes. – MPH Dissertation.
25. Assessment of health status and scholastic performance of beneficiaries of mid day meal scheme in Government schools. – MPH Dissertation.
26. Critical Appraisal of Public Health Standards in Public Health Care Delivery System in Chandigarh under NRHM. – MPH Dissertation.
27. Critical Appraisal of National Policy for Person with Disability and its Implementation in Chandigarh, U.T. – MPH Dissertation.
28. Assessment of Sanitary Conditions in and around of Food Establishments in P.U. (Chandigarh). – MPH Dissertation.
29. Impact of Oral Health Education in Children of Anganwadis in Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation. – MPH Dissertation.
30. Prevalence of Substance Abuse amongst Students of Panjab University. – MPH Dissertation. – MPH Dissertation.
31. The Knowledge and Attitudes of the Students and Teachers regarding Cervical Carcinoma and see the Impact after Education them in terms of Awareness in Chandigarh. – MPH Dissertation.
32. A Study on Awareness and Attitudes regarding β- Thalassemia amongst the Students of P.U. (Chandigarh). – MPH Dissertation.
33. Status of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Chandigarh, U.T. – MPH Dissertation.
34. Correlates to improvident maternity in Urban Slums of Chandigarh – ICMR.
35. Socio-Cultural Aspects Of Menstruation Among Unmarried Girls And Their Treatment Seeking Behaviour For Menstrual Problems" sponsored by DST.
36. Epidemiological Profiling of HIV/AIDS using Data Triangulation in Punjab and Chandigarh. – NACO/UNAIDS.
37. Acceptability And Utilization Of Emergency Contraception Among Married Women Of Urban Slums Of Chandigarh” sponsored by DST.
38. Awareness Regarding Family Planning Methods And Risks Involved With Teenage Pregnancy In Adolescents Of Chandigarh” sponsored by DST.
39. Psycho-Social And Health Conditions Among Professional Students In Relation To Mentoring – ICMR.
40. Correlates Of Cesarean Delivery On Maternal Request In An Urban Community. – ICMR.
41. Evaluation of Knowledge and practice of food hygiene among food handlers in Panjab University, Chandigarh – MPH Dissertation.
42. Obesity in school going adolescents in Chandigarh – MPH Dissertation.
43. Eating behaviour and perception about body shape among adolescent girls of Panjab University – MPH Dissertation.
44. Coping of stress amongst Yoga and Non-yoga performers of Tricity – MPH Dissertation.
45. Knowledge and attitude of female school teachers regarding cervical cancer in Chandigarh – MPH Dissertation.
46. Psycho-social and Reproductive Health Problems of Adolescents and youths in Chandigarh - DST.
  Major Activities of Department in the past :
• Department of Community Medicine continues as Nodal Agency carried out teaching and training of residents, Medical Officers, Interns, Para-Medical Personnel and Consultants. Besides UG and PG teaching of Medical students of GMCH, the department is also actively involved in the MPH course for the Centre for Public Health, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
• Several sponsored projects funded by National and International Agencies: ICMR, DHR, DST, NACO, UNAIDS, WHO etc. were undertaken.
• A large scale Project “IMPACT OF ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH FRIENDLY HEALTH SERVICES (AYFHS) ON REPRODUCTIVE AND PSYCHO-SEXUAL HEALTH” sponsored by Department of Health Research (DHR), M/o Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, was undertaken by the department in eight states.
• Dr Dinesh Walia has been awarded the Best Researcher Award in Basic and Paramedical Sciences on first Annual Day of GMCH on 15th October 2018.
• Conducted a series of workshops were held on Integrated Diseases control Programme and Zika Virus.
• Undertook several Research Projectsaddressing public health problems like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, HIV risk behavior among injectable drug users, E Technology in raising cancer awareness, Psychosocial and Reproductive Health Problems of Adolescents and Youths, Epidemiology and treatment seeking behavior for non communicable diseases, substance abuse, Post Partum Amenorrhea etc.
• Faculty members also delivered lectures for BHMS students at Government Homeopathy Medical College, Sector 26 Chandigarh, .MPH students at Panjab University, B.Sc. Nursing at GMCH; M.Ed. and B.Ed (Special Education) classes at GRIID Chandigarh.
  Research Projects Completed :
1) “Adolescent Health and Well Being Survey in Rural Field Practice Area of Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh”funded by DST, Chandigarh UT.PI –Prof NK Goel Project duration: 01 year, year of start 2018.
2) “Impact of Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Services (AYFHS) On Reproductive and Psycho- Sexual Health” funded by Department of Health Research (DHR), M/o Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. PI –Dr Dinesh, Project duration: 02 years, Date of start- 10.01.2017.
3) “Psychosocial and Reproductive Health Problems of Adolescents and Youths in Chandigarh” funded by DST, Chandigarh UT. PI –Dr DineshProject duration: 01 year, Date of start -October 2016.
4) “Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use Among Cancer Patients”funded byIndian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),New Delhi, PI –Dr Dinesh Project Duration 02 years, Year of start- 2014.
5) “Natural Mentoring And Its Impact On Adolescent Health”funded byIndian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi,PI –Dr Dinesh Project Duration 03 years, Year of start- 2010.
6) “Correlates Of Improvident Maternity In Urban Slums Of Chandigarh”, funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, PI –Dr Dinesh, Project Duration 02 years, Year of start- 2009.
7) “Socio-Cultural Aspects of Menstruation among Unmarried Girls and Their Treatment Seeking Behaviour for Menstrual Problems” funded by DST, Chandigarh UT, PI –Dr DineshProject duration: 01 year, Year of start -October 2009.
8) “IYCF and Other Correlates of Anthropometric Failures among Children”, funded by DST, Chandigarh UT, PI –Dr Di Project Duration: 01 year, Year of start -October 2012, Co-Investigator/Resource Faculty of Following Research Projects:
9) “Determinants of lactation amenorrhea and use of complementary family planning methods among women in Chandigarh”.PI DrMeenuProject duration: 01 year, year of start 2019.
10) “Prevalence, pattern and correlates of substance use among children and adolescents in urban slums of U.T Chandigarh”.PI Dr Ravi Project duration: 01 year, year of start 2019.
11) “Descriptive Study to Assess Cancer Burden, Level of Delays in Cancer Management and Socio-Economic Impact of Cancer on the Family”, funded by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, Co PI –Dr Dinesh Duration 02 years, Year of start- 2017.
12) “Assessment of the Epidemiological Factors of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Chandigarh, UT”funded by DST, Chandigarh UT. PI-DrMeenu, Project duration: 01 year, Year of start -October, 2016.
13) “Use Of E Technology In Raising Awareness Of Cancer –A Step Towards Preventive Oncology” funded by DST, Chandigarh UT” , funded by DST, Chandigarh UT, PI-Dr Sonia,Project duration: 01 year, Year of start -October 2016.
14) “Impact of intervention on the HIV risk behaviour among injectable drug users in Chandigarh” funded by DST, Chandigarh UT”, funded by DST, Chandigarh UT, PIDr Deepak Sharma, Project duration: 01 year, Year of start -October 2016.
15) “Biomedical waste management practices in health care centres in Chandigarh” funded by Department of Environment, Chandigarh (U.T.), PI DrMeenu,Project duration: Project duration: 01 year, Year of start –July 2015.
16) “Epidemiological Profiling of HIV/AIDS using Data Triangulation in Punjab and Chandigarh”, funded by NACO/UNAIDS, Project duration: 01 year, Year of start 2009. Resource Faculty-Dr Dinesh
17) “Acceptability and Utilization of Emergency Contraception among Married Women of Urban Slums of Chandigarh” funded by DST, Chandigarh UT.PI-Dr Sonia,Project duration: 01 year, Year of start: October 2008.
18) “Awareness Regarding Family Planning Methods and Risks Involved with Teenage Pregnancy in Adolescents of Chandigarh” funded by DST, Chandigarh UT, Project duration: 01 year, Year of start -October 2008, Total cost: Rs.50,000.
  Future Plans of the Department :
• To make a mission statement to guide further growth of the department in consonance with growth of the Institution.
• To enhance the number of post graduate trainees for progress of the discipline.
• To enhance the number of post graduate trainees for furtherance of the discipline.
• To attract sponsorship for community based research at the city and regional level.
• To involve interns in community based research which will help generate more interest in the discipline.
• Introduction of some newer services like School of Public Health and Epidemiological Unit is also proposed for department.
• Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Services are proposed to be started to address the problems of adolescents and youths. Department is well equipped to start.

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