AIIMS Nagpur Conducts Tobacco Cessation and Capacity-Building Workshop at Bela PHC
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, the Tobacco Cessation Clinic (TCC) of AIIMS Nagpur successfully organised an awareness and capacity-building program at the Bela Primary Health Centre (PHC) on May 29, 2026.
The TCC, which operates under the National Tobacco Control Programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, is jointly managed by the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Community Medicine at AIIMS Nagpur.
The training workshop was led by Dr. Gaurav Singh, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. He educated healthcare workers on public health strategies, focusing on the hazards of tobacco consumption and the critical need for cessation. The program also featured a specialised skill-building exercise designed to train workers in tobacco screening and evidence-based primary interventions for tobacco dependence syndrome.
Throughout the day, a series of awareness lectures, counselling sessions, and educational activities focused on preventing and treating tobacco addiction were successfully executed.
The initiative was conducted under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Nagpur. Dr Joshi congratulated the teams from the Departments of Psychiatry and Community Medicine for their impactful community outreach. He emphasised that tobacco use is highly preventable and underscored the urgent need to protect community health from its devastating effects.

The Department of Psychiatry AIIMS Nagpur with Tele- MANAS Mentoring unit conducted an awareness Program on the occasion of World Schizophrenia Day 2026 on 25th May2026. The Chief Guest of this program was the Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P. Joshi and the Guest of Honor was Dr. Nilesh Nagdeve, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS Nagpur.

Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P. Joshi addressed the crowd by educating them about schizophrenia, the stigma related to it and the importance of seeking timely treatment. He also felicitated the patients with Schizophrenia who were adherent to the medicines, showed resilience and recovered and stated that “Despite multiple challenges, the support of family members and the proper treatment contribute to the journey of recovery.”  The program was then carried forward by psychoeducation of schizophrenia, reasons of hospitalization and managing negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The program was attended by several patients and their caregivers.

In the “voices of the recovery” space was given to patients and their caregivers to express their journey of recovery, hurdles faced by them and how they cope up through the illness. One of the patients stated that “family support and adequate treatment aided me in rebuilding my life as I understood the importance of treatment and gained confidence in daily activity”. Another patient expressed his gratitude towards AIIMS Nagpur for aiding his recovery, helping him redirect his confidence and achieve professional growth.

The program was concluded by clearing doubts of the patients and their caregivers and the psychiatry department gave assurance that they will provide the necessary treatment facility and best care to the patients. Patients and caregivers were also given information about Tele- MANAS services to address any of the mental health concerns.

Considering an increasing burden of patients with cancer and need of an hour, AIIMS Nagpur has successful installed an advanced radiotherapy machine; second HELA, marking a significant milestone in healthcare technology. This shall be the first and only Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) facility in central India. The equipment was received under the Corporate Social Responsibility grants by ONGC to cater to increase in work load. With adequate clinical and technical human resources, the machine will be ready for treatment soon. This will help to significantly reduce the waiting time of patient due for radiotherapy and in teaching and learning of Radiation Oncology students in Nagpur region. 
The installation was carried out by Asia’s first exclusive woman engineering team. This highlights the power of women-led innovation. The engineering team was led by Ms. Revathi Krisha, along with Ms. Prachi, and was possible because of the visionary leadership of Dr. Prashant P. Joshi (Executive Director & CEO), Dr. Rasika Gadkari (Dean Academics), Dr. Nilesh Nagdeve (Medical Superintendent), Mr. Vijay Kumar Nayak (Deputy Director, Administration), Dr. Chaitali Waghmare and Radiation Oncology team of AIIMS Nagpur.

State-Level ICD-10 Mortality Coding Training Inaugurated at Nagpur

Nagpur, May 5: A four-day State-level training on ICD-10 Mortality Coding commenced today at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, aimed at strengthening the quality and use of cause-of-death (COD) data across Maharashtra. The training, scheduled from May 5 to 8, is being organized by the State Bureau of Health Intelligence and Vital Statistics (SBHIVS), Government of Maharashtra, in collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre and the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at AIIMS Nagpur.

The inaugural session was presided over by Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Nagpur. Other dignitaries present included Dr. Rajesh Dikshit (Tata Memorial Centre); Dr. Manish Shrigiriwar (AIIMS Nagpur); Dr. Yagnik Vaza (USCOD, TMC); Dr. Sunil Chidrawar (SBHIVS Pune); Dr. Sharvari Mhapankar (USCOD, TMC); and Dr. Saman Gamage (CDC Foundation, USA).

Speakers highlighted the importance of accurate mortality data in public health planning. Reliable cause-of-death information helps identify health priorities, allocate resources effectively, and monitor progress in tackling non-communicable diseases, injuries, and maternal and child health issues. They also noted that gaps in medical certification and ICD coding can limit the effectiveness of such efforts.

Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P Joshi emphasized institutional collaboration and shared his valuable thoughts & talked about the current scenario of MCCD Certification and need for organizing more of such trainings all over Maharashtra to improve cause of death data statistics through ICD coding.

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Shrigiriwar, along with Dr. Vaza and Dr. Mhapankar, emphasized the need for capacity building in mortality data systems. Dr. Dikshit spoke on the role of ICD coding in strengthening health statistics, while Dr. Rohina Joshi outlined national and global initiatives in this area stressing upon the importance of expanding such training programs across Maharashtra to improve Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) practices.

India has made progress in enhancing mortality data systems through initiatives like the Data for Health Initiative, led by the Unit for Strengthening Cause of Death at Tata Memorial Centre. However, challenges related to completeness and accuracy persist. Maharashtra has taken notable steps by establishing mortality coding units, institutionalizing training programs, and implementing Training of Trainers (ToT) models.

The current training focuses on ICD-10 coding and MCCD practices, covering legal frameworks, Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems, coding guidelines, and hands-on exercises using digital tools. Sessions are being led by Dr. Saman Gamage, a global expert in ICD coding. Organizers expect the ToT approach to create a multiplier effect, enabling participants to train others and improve the overall quality of COD data. Emphasizing the broader impact, speakers noted that “every death tells a story and accurate documentation can help save lives”.

The program was compered by Ms. D. Geetha Supriya, with support from a team of organizers and contributors. The collaborative efforts of Dr. Mandar Sane, Dr. Harshal Thube, Dr. Pawan Yadav, Dr. Aswin Girish Kumar, Dr. Lakshmi Sravya, Mr. Shobhit Kapse, Mr. Sanket Giri and Mr. Vipin added significance to the event. The training will conclude on May 8 with participant assessments and certification.

AIIMS Nagpur Celebrates 5th NICU Foundation Day; Highlights Milestones in Newborn Care and Capacity Building

From a COVID-Era Beginning to a Centre of Excellence — NICU Completes Five Years of Transforming Neonatal Care in Vidarbha National NRP Day 2026 Also Conducted Simultaneously; 110 Healthcare Workers Trained in Basic Neonatal Resuscitation

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, marked a landmark occasion on 10th May 2026 with the grand celebration of the 5th Foundation Day of its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), held in the distinguished presence of the Executive Director and CEO, Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P. Joshi, and Medical Superintendent Dr. Nilesh Nagdeve. The event was a powerful blend of reflection, recognition, and reaffirmation — celebrating five years of life saved, families transformed, and neonatal medicine advanced in one of India’s most critical regions.

In a deeply moving gesture, NICU graduates and their families were specially invited and felicitated on the occasion. These young children, who had once fought for their lives as critically ill newborns in the NICU, were honoured with gifts personally presented by the Executive Director. The moment was a vivid symbol of hope and resilience, and a celebration of the skill and dedication that had given these families their most precious gift.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P. Joshi took the audience through the remarkable and challenging journey of the NICU, which was established during one of the most difficult phases in recent history — the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Establishing a functional NICU in the midst of a global health crisis required extraordinary courage, commitment, and vision from our neonatal team,” he said. Despite acute resource constraints, disrupted supply chains, and an overwhelmed healthcare system nationwide, the team at AIIMS Nagpur built the NICU from the ground up and began delivering life-saving care to the tiniest and most vulnerable patients.

Prof. (Dr.) Joshi warmly appreciated the relentless efforts of the neonatal team and specially praised the leadership and vision of Dr. Nishant Banait, In charge of NICU and Associate professor of Neonatology, for establishing and nurturing the NICU into what he called “a true boon for the Vidarbha region.” Under Dr. Banait’s stewardship, the unit has evolved from a nascent facility into a full-fledged tertiary-level neonatal referral centre, delivering high-quality, evidence-based neonatal intensive care to families from across Vidarbha and beyond.

Today, AIIMS Nagpur has emerged as the preferred referral destination for high-risk deliveries across Vidarbha and adjoining regions. Families travel from districts of eastern Maharashtra and even from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh — including Chhindwara and Balaghat — to access specialist neonatal care at AIIMS Nagpur. The institute has also become a trusted centre for precious pregnancies, including those resulting from In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), where the stakes for newborn survival are often particularly high. This growing trust from communities across state borders speaks volumes about the quality of care being delivered.

Clinical Milestones: Complex Surgeries and Life-Saving Interventions

The Executive Director highlighted several remarkable clinical and surgical achievements of the NICU over the past five years. The unit has successfully managed complex neonatal surgical cases, including Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) ligation in extremely preterm infants — a delicate cardiac procedure performed in babies weighing just a few hundred grams — and the surgical correction of life-threatening congenital anomalies such as Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF) and other congenital airway disorders. Approximately 80 neonatal surgeries have been successfully performed in the last 2 years, reflecting the rapidly growing surgical expertise and multidisciplinary teamwork at the institute.

Story of Hope: Smallest Survivor — 520 Grams, 25 Weeks

Among the most inspiring stories shared at the event was the survival of an extremely preterm baby born at just 25 weeks’ gestation, weighing a mere 520 grams. The baby’s mother, from Chandrapur, had endured the heartbreak of losing three previous children due to extreme prematurity. Having nowhere else to turn, she came to AIIMS Nagpur with hope and trepidation. The NICU team took on the extraordinary challenge, and against all medical odds, the baby survived. The family, overwhelmed with gratitude, expressed their heartfelt thanks to AIIMS Nagpur for giving them their first surviving child after years of unbearable struggle and loss. Their story stands as one of the most powerful testaments to what compassionate, expert neonatal care can achieve.

Therapeutic Hypothermia: Tackling Birth Asphyxia with Advanced Care

Addressing one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and long-term disability, the Department of Neonatology has introduced therapeutic hypothermia (cooling therapy) for the management of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in birth-asphyxiated newborns. This internationally recognised, evidence-based intervention has led to significantly improved neurodevelopmental outcomes in severely asphyxiated babies at AIIMS Nagpur, preventing disability and giving children a better quality of life — a milestone that marks the NICU’s transition into a truly advanced neonatal care facility.

Capacity Building and Outreach: Training the Region’s Healthcare Workforce

Beyond clinical care, the Department of Neonatology has taken on a pivotal role in capacity building and healthcare outreach across the region. The department regularly conducts structured training programmes for peripheral healthcare workers, including Facility-Based Newborn Care (FBNC) training, Neonatal Resuscitation Programme (NRP), and Breastfeeding promotion initiatives under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BPNI). In addition, the department is actively engaged in telemedicine-based mentoring and training of healthcare workers in remote areas of Maharashtra, including Dharani, Achalpur, Gadchiroli, and Nandurbar, bridging the gap between tertiary expertise and grassroots healthcare delivery. Through these initiatives, AIIMS Nagpur is directly contributing to the national goal of reducing neonatal mortality in underserved and remote populations, bringing quality newborn care to the last mile.

National NRP Day 2026: 110 Healthcare Workers Trained in a Single Day

As part of the day’s activities, the Department of Neonatology, AIIMS Nagpur, in collaboration with the National Neonatology Forum (NNF) India, conducted the National NRP Day 2026 — a coordinated, single-day mass training initiative under the NNF Presidential Action Plan 2026 with the theme: “One Day. One Nation. One Mission — Saving Newborn Lives, One Breath at a Time.” A total of 110 healthcare workers were trained in Basic Neonatal Resuscitation in a single day — equipping nurses, nursing students, and junior doctors with the skills to manage birth asphyxia, one of the leading preventable causes of neonatal death in India.

The programme was conducted under the expert guidance of Dr. Akash Bang as Lead Trainer, and under the overall supervision of Dr. Nishant Banait. The course was seamlessly coordinated by Dr. Amit Kumar, who ensured efficient management throughout the day. The training covered essential components including initial steps of newborn care, positive pressure ventilation using bag-and-mask technique, and team-based resuscitation drills.

Dr. Akash Bang, Dr. Sanjana Somanath, Dr. Amit Kumar, Dr. Arun Edwin, Dr. Jyothi M, Dr. Ankit, Dr. Vivek, and Senior Nursing Officer Ms. Jini — the dedicated team of trainers from AIIMS Nagpur who delivered the hands-on sessions — ensured that each participant received standardised, high-quality skill-based training. The programme also observed this day simultaneously in collaboration with the Government of India, IAP, FOGSI, and TNAI as part of the nationwide effort.

Dr. Sanjana Somanath, Departmental In-charge and Associate Professor of Neonatology, reaffirmed the department’s unwavering vision for the future. “Our commitment goes beyond the walls of this NICU. We are determined to strengthen neonatal services at the grassroots level, and expand our training initiatives, she said.

The 5th NICU Foundation Day celebration at AIIMS Nagpur stood as a powerful testament to perseverance, innovation, and dedication. From its difficult inception during a global pandemic to becoming an acknowledged centre of neonatal excellence, the NICU has transformed newborn care and offered hope to countless families across Vidarbha and beyond. Officials at AIIMS Nagpur expressed their determination to continue this journey — advancing clinical care, building capacity, and saving lives, one breath at a time.