AIIMS Nagpur welcomed  34 Matrons and Assistant Matrons from Government Institutes under DHS of Maharashtra, for a 2-days cross-learning programme to facilitate exchange of experiences and exposure to best practices in nursing administration, clinical practices and institutional management at AIIMS Nagpur on 23rd & 24th October, 2026. The programme was jointly organized by the DDHS (Nursing) and College of Nursing, AIIMS Nagpur. The Executive Director and CEO, Prof. Dr. Prashant P Joshi, and  the  Medical Superintendent, Dr. Nilesh Nagdeve have interacted with the visiting team and gave brief descriptions of the best practices at AIIMS Nagpur

The Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, successfully organised SANKRAMAN 2026, a one-day Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on infectious diseases, in association with the Association of Physicians of India (API), Vidarbha Chapter.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Nagpur and Chief Patron of the event, who delivered an insightful lecture on clinical approaches to zoonotic infections, emphasising their public health significance, early diagnosis and preparedness.

The CME featured expert sessions on key areas of infectious disease management. Dr. Milind Bhushandi spoke on HIV primary care and recent advances, while Dr. Bharat Rathod discussed pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention. Dr. Ashwini Tayde delivered a lecture on invasive fungal infections, including mucormycosis. Dr. Neeta Gade highlighted the role of microbiology in diagnosing infectious diseases and guiding clinical decision-making.

Adding valuable clinical insights, Dr. Sunita Kumbhalkar, Dr. Rajashree Khot and Dr. Amol Dube shared their experiences at AIIMS Nagpur through discussions on interesting and challenging infectious disease cases, including uncommon presentations and rare clinical scenarios.

The programme also featured case presentations, poster discussions and a postgraduate medicine quiz, fostering academic exchange and evidence-based clinical learning. Nine medical colleges from across Vidarbha participated in the quiz, with Government Medical College, Chandrapur, securing first place and AIIMS Nagpur winning second place.

The CME was organised under the leadership of Dr. Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director and CEO, and Dr. Rasika Gadkari, Dean (Academics), AIIMS Nagpur. Dr. Sunita Kumbhalkar served as Chairperson and Dr. Rajashree Khot as Co-chairperson. The event was conducted in association with the API Vidarbha Chapter, chaired by Dr. Tanuja Manohar, with active contributions from the faculty members of the Department of General Medicine, AIIMS Nagpur. Dr. Ishan Verma, Dr. Onkar Awadhiya, and Dr. Amruta Bagul were instrumental in designing and structuring the PG Medicine Quiz.

Dr. Prakash Khetan was the Maharashtra medical Council (MMC) observer for this event.

Dr. Preetam Salukhe delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all the dignitaries, speakers, faculty members, organisers, and participants for their valuable contributions to the successful conduct of SANKRAMAN 2026.

SANKRAMAN 2026 provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, clinical learning and professional collaboration, reaffirming AIIMS Nagpur’s commitment to academic excellence and advancing infectious disease care through continuing medical education.

Nagpur, 23 October 2026: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, observed Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Week 2026, in line with International Infection Prevention Week, from 18 to 24 October 2026. The week was organised by the Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC) and the IPC Week 2026 Committee under the guidance of Dr Meena Mishra, Member Secretary, HICC, and Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology. Its aim was to strengthen awareness of infection prevention, hand hygiene and patient safety among healthcare workers, patients and the public.

The week began with training sessions on hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection for supervisor nurses, sanitary attendants and kitchen staff. Residents, interns and MBBS students attended an interactive seminar on the basics of IPC in clinical care by Dr Neeta Gade, Additional Professor of Microbiology. The seminar included practical sessions in which residents themselves demonstrated the steps of hand hygiene.

A public outreach programme followed, in which the team of Infection Control Nurses (ICNs) performed a skit on hand hygiene and safe waste disposal for the public in front of the AIIMS Nagpur OPD registration area. Dr Dhirendra Kumar, Assistant Professor, General Surgery, and Dr Amruta Bagul, Assistant Professor, General Medicine, gave simple and effective talks in Hindi and Marathi. The programme was coordinated with Dr. Nilesh Nagdeve, Medical Superintendent and Dr. Latika Bajaj, Nursing Superintendent. 

Dr Soumya Das, Associate Professor, Transfusion Medicine, and ICN Shilpa conducted hands-on training in hand hygiene and disinfection for sanitary attendants, with Glo Germ demonstrations that made the session lively for housekeeping staff. A Glo Germ handwashing challenge was also held for housekeeping staff. An energetic IPC quiz for nursing officers was conducted by Dr H.S.Sanjana, Associate Professor, Department of Neonatology, with the ICNs. Further sessions covered disinfection and hand hygiene for laundry staff, and prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) for nursing officers from ICUs. AIIMS Nagpur faculty from all departments took part enthusiastically in the online IPC Errors Image Challenge organized by Dr.H.S.Sanjana.

The week concluded with the Prize Distribution and Valedictory Ceremony on 23 October 2026 at the Administrative Block, AIIMS Nagpur, attended by Dr Nilesh Nagdeve, Medical Superintendent, along with faculty, residents and staff. Addressing the gathering, Dr Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director (CEO), AIIMS Nagpur, spoke about the importance of conducting infection prevention and control awareness activities for healthcare staff and for the public, and the impact these have in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). He reaffirmed the commitment of AIIMS Nagpur to providing an ecosystem of infection prevention in hospitals and to patient safety, and spoke about the activities organised by the IPC Week Committee for healthcare staff and the public visiting AIIMS Nagpur.

Dr Prashant P. Joshi presented the Best Hand Hygiene Practices awards to sanitary attendants, nurses and resident doctors. He also gave prizes to the best-performing nursing officers in the IPC Quiz, to the faculty winners of the IPC Errors Image Challenge, and to healthcare staff who created the best reels on hand hygiene education. Dr Joshi appreciated the efforts of the healthcare staff of AIIMS Nagpur in infection prevention and control.

Issued by: IPC Week 2026 Committee and Hospital Infection Control Committee (HICC), AIIMS Nagpur

The Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Nagpur, has successfully performed and initiated Phakic Intraocular lens surgery for patients with very high refractive errors. In one of the recently performed procedures, a 36-year-old patient wearing very high-power spectacles with approximately –18 dioptres of myopia in both eyes underwent Phakic intraocular lens implantation.

The Phakic IOL surgery was performed by Dr. Kanishk Singh, Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Nagpur. Before the surgery, the patient was dependent on high-powered spectacles of approximately –18 dioptres in both eyes. Because of very high spectacle power, the glasses were cumbersome for routine activities, and the patient was unable to see clearly without them. Following the procedure, the patient was able to see clearly without spectacles and expressed great satisfaction at being able to carry out everyday activities without depending on his high-powered glasses.

Dr. Rajesh Pattebahadur and Dr. Sagarika Snehi explained that an Phakic IOL is a very small, thin lens that is implanted inside the eye to correct high refractive errors. Unlike other corneal refractive surgery like LASIK, which reshapes the cornea,  Phakic IOL surgery does not involve removing or reshaping corneal tissue. It can therefore be an important refractive option for carefully selected patients with very high spectacle powers, particularly when laser vision correction may not be suitable because of corneal parameters.  

Dr. Puja Bang, Professor and Head, Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Nagpur, stated that such advanced refractive procedures require specialized instrumentation, careful patient selection and appropriate surgical expertise. The availability of this facility at AIIMS Nagpur will help provide patients with very high refractive errors access to an advanced treatment option within a government healthcare institution.

Prof. Prashant Joshi, Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Nagpur, described the introduction of this procedure as a significant achievement for the Institute’s vision of excellence. He highlighted that the availability of such advanced refractive surgery at a government healthcare facility in Central India can help make specialized eye care more accessible and affordable to patients in the region.

The Department of Ophthalmology further emphasized that Phakic IOL surgery is not required or suitable for every patient with high spectacle power. A comprehensive eye examination and detailed assessment of the cornea, anterior chamber, eye pressure, retinal status and other relevant parameters are necessary to determine whether a patient is an appropriate candidate. The procedure requires advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment, detailed preoperative assessment and specialized surgical expertise. With the introduction of Phakic IOL surgery, AIIMS Nagpur has added another advanced refractive surgery option that can be offered to appropriately selected patients at an affordable cost, potentially benefiting patients from Nagpur and the wider Central Indian region.

A breast cancer awareness bike rally emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, thereby encouraging women to seek timely counseling for treatment and positive outcomes was organized by the Department of Surgery, AIIMS Nagpur, with the blessings and guidance of the Executive Director AIIMS Nagpur, Prof. Dr. Prashant P. Joshi. This was in collaboration with PINK PARTNER, a unit of central India NAVODAY alumni association, IMA Nagpur, Association of Surgeons Nagpur, and health department, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, The initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 300 participants.

The rally was flagged off by the Organizing Chairman, Prof. Dr. Siddharth P. Dubhashi, Professor and Head, Department of Surgery, AIIMS Nagpur, at the IMA Hall, Nagpur.
Several distinguished guests graced the occasion, including Dr. Sachin Gathe, President IMA, Nagpur, Dr. Deepa Jahagirdar, President, ASN, Dr. Deepak Selokar, Chief Officer of Health, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Dr. Sangita Renge, dermatologist and homoeopathic practitioner, Dr. Anirudh Deoke, Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, NKPSIMS Nagpur,  past ASN Presidents, past IMA Presidents and officers from RST Cancer Hospital Nagpur. Participants carried placards displaying awareness messages.
The key message of the rally was "Early diagnosis and complete treatment can save lives and bring happiness to families. The rally witnessed the active participation of all Faculty, PG students of Department of Surgery and several UG students of AIIMS Nagpur, members of the general public, and Navodaya alumni from Nagpur, IMA and ASN members.

Dr. Siddharth P. Dubhashi delivered the welcome address, highlighting the importance of breast cancer awareness campaigns, fostering community solidarity in the important mission.
The Organizing Secretary, Dr. Prashant Sawarkar, Additional Professor, department of Surgery, AIIMS Nagpur, delivered a comprehensive educational session on breast cancer, explaining its causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods, and available treatment options. The highlight of his presentation was the need to "Become a BREAST CANCER FRIEND."

The most emotional moment of the program included the felicitation of breast cancer survivors, whose courage and determination served as an inspiration to the society at large. The survivors shared their personal experiences and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and healthcare team at AIIMS Nagpur for their treatment, care, and support. A short educational film reinforcing the importance of compassion, awareness, and collective responsibility in supporting breast cancer patients, prepared by Dr. Sangita Renge, was played.
The programme was skillfully anchored by Dr. Divish Saxena. The enthusiastic involvement of participants from different sections of society reflected the growing recognition that cancer awareness is not solely the responsibility of healthcare professionals, but a collective social responsibility. The programme concluded with a renewed commitment to spreading awareness about breast cancer and promoting early detection and complete treatment.