A Poison Information Centre (PIC) is a specialized unit that answers enquiries, usually by telephone, about exposure to chemical agents, including pharmaceuticals, substances of abuse, natural toxins, pesticides and industrial chemicals. Callers who seek advice from a PIC may be health professionals, other professionals such as police or school teachers, or members of the public. Based on the information provided, a specialist in PIC assesses whether the exposure is hazardous and advises on whether and what kind of treatment should be given. PIC provides information appropriate to the enquirer’s level of knowledge and understanding. It also provides evidence-based management advice and suggestions against ineffective or unnecessary treatments. The information will be provided using TOXBASE, a UK-based clinical toxicology database. The Forensic Medicine and Toxicology department will be adding other databases in the future.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director, AIIMS Nagpur; Dr. (Prof.) Nilesh Nagdeve, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS Nagpur; Dr. (Prof.) Ganesh Dakhle, Dean, Examination & Head of the Department of Pharmacology; and Dr. (Prof.) Mahendra Chauhan, Head of the Department of Trauma & Emergency, AIIMS Nagpur.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi highlighted the growing burden of poisoning cases in central India & Vidarbha and emphasized the pivotal role of PICs in reducing morbidity and mortality through timely, scientific, and evidence-based guidance. He further highlighted that the Poison Information Center will serve as a valuable clinical resource, supporting clinicians in the timely diagnosis and management of poisoning cases. He appreciated the efforts of the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology in establishing this important public health facility and extended his best wishes for its successful functioning.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Manish Shrigiriwar, Prof & Head, FMT underscored the PIC's role as a dedicated hub for toxicology-related information. He noted that the PIC would not only assist medical professionals in managing poisoning emergencies but would also contribute significantly to poison surveillance, toxic vigilance, education, research, and community awareness regarding poisoning prevention. He expressed confidence that the PIC would emerge as a regional referral resource for poison-related information and promote rational management of poisoning cases.

Dr Devendra Jadav, Assistant Professor & Project Coordinator of the PIC, provided information on the PIC, the TOXBASE database, & the workflow of the PIC.

Vidarbha has a substantial burden of poisoning due to pesticide exposure, snakebites, scorpion stings, household chemicals, industrial toxins, drug overdoses, and accidental poisonings in children. The PIC will assist clinicians in selecting appropriate investigations, identifying poisons, advising on antidotes, decontamination measures, and supportive treatment, thereby reducing delays in management and improving patient outcomes.

The PIC will serve as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals working in rural & peripheral health PICs, such as Primary Health PICs (PHCs), Community Health PICs (CHCs), Rural Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals, District Hospitals and the general public.

The PIC is now available to provide free, round-the-clock expert advice on poisoning emergencies to the general public. Anyone can contact the PIC immediately in case of accidental poisoning, snakebite, insecticide exposure, drug overdose, chemical exposure, household poison ingestion, or any suspected poisoning incident. Members of the public are encouraged to save the PIC contact number and seek immediate expert advice whenever a poisoning incident is suspected. Early consultation can save lives. If in doubt, call the PIC immediately, every minute counts in poisoning emergencies.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr Mandar Sane, Dr Harshal Thube, Dr Shailesh Raut, Dr Devendra Jadav, Dr Kanchan Zine, Dr Auroprajna Pal, Dr Pawan Yadav, Dr Aswin Girish, Dr Kshitij Burande, Ms Geetha Supriya, Nursing officer Mr Ranjit Khode, Mr Shobhit Kapse, Mr Vipin, Mr Sanket, Mr Dilip, Mr Durgesh, staff of the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, AIIMS Nagpur.

The MOC for the programme was Ms Geetha Supriya, vote of thanks was given by Dr Devendra Jadav. The PIC's contact number is 7588310288, and it will be available between 8 am to 8 pm.

The Department of Burns, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, in association with the Central India Association of Plastic Surgeons (CIAPS), Association of Surgeons, Nagpur (ASN), and Association of Medical Specialists (AMS), successfully organized a One-Day Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Practical Course on "Diabetic Foot Management – From Basics to Advanced" on 12th July 2026  on occasion of World Plastic Surgery Day at the AIIMS Nagpur. More than 87 plastic surgeons attended the CME at AIIMS Nagpur and 267 Plastic Surgeons attended the programme online.

The CME was conducted under the patronage of Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director, AIIMS Nagpur. Dr. Dhananjay Nakade, HOD, Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, AIIMS Nagpur and President, CIAPS, delivered the welcome address. The academic program brought together eminent national and regional experts who shared their expertise on comprehensive diabetic foot care, including clinical evaluation, biomechanics, Charcot foot, surgical and non-surgical offloading, vascular interventions, wound management, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, reconstruction techniques, and limb salvage strategies. Interactive panel discussions, case-based learning, and operative video demonstrations further enriched the educational experience.

The scientific sessions were coordinated by Dr. Ashutosh Shah, Dr. Girish Ambat, and Dr. Skanda Shyamsundar, providing participants with evidence-based knowledge and practical skills for the multidisciplinary management of diabetic foot disease. The programme was MMC Accredited, making participants eligible for CME credit points.

The CME witnessed enthusiastic participation from surgeons, plastic surgeons, physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, postgraduate students, and healthcare professionals from across the region. The event reaffirmed AIIMS Nagpur's commitment to advancing medical education, promoting multidisciplinary collaboration, and improving patient outcomes through timely diagnosis, prevention, and modern reconstructive approaches in diabetic foot management.

Nagpur, July 10, 2026: The Department of Ophthalmology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, today inaugurated the Comprehensive Integrated Electrophysiology (VEP, EOG & ERG) System, marking a major milestone in advanced ophthalmic diagnostics. The newly installed system is the first of its kind in the Vidarbha region, significantly strengthening diagnostic services for retinal, optic nerve and neuro-ophthalmic disorders.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the chief patronage of Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Nagpur. The programme was graced by Dr. Rasika Gadkari, Dean (Academics); Dr. Nilesh Nagdeve, Medical Superintendent; Shri Vijaykumar Nayak, Deputy Director (Administration); Dr. Nitin Marathe, Joint Medical Superintendent; Prof. Dr. Siddharth Dubhashi, Head, Department of General Surgery, along with faculty members and delegates from various departments of the Institute.

The advanced electrophysiology system provides objective assessment of visual function through Visual Evoked Potential (VEP), Electroretinography (ERG), and Electrooculography (EOG). It will facilitate early and accurate diagnosis of retinal diseases, optic nerve disorders, inherited retinal dystrophies, neuro-ophthalmic conditions, and abnormalities of the visual pathway, thereby improving treatment planning and patient outcomes.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. (Prof.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Nagpur, stated, "The installation of Vidarbha's first Comprehensive Integrated Electrophysiology System reflects AIIMS Nagpur's commitment to excellence in patient care, academics and research. This advanced technology will further strengthen our capability to deliver evidence-based, patient-centric healthcare."

Dr. Puja Hingorani-Bang, Professor & Head, Department of Ophthalmology, highlighted that the system will enable comprehensive evaluation of visual disorders in both children and adults. She noted that the facility will support multiple disciplines to improve diagnostic evaluation, and provide access to advanced investigations at affordable costs for patients from Vidarbha and neighbouring regions.

Dr. Vandana Iyer and Dr. Swapneel Mathurkar, Vitreo-Retina Surgeons, Department of Ophthalmology, emphasized that the new system will play a vital role in diagnosing the full spectrum of retinal and neuro-ophthalmic disorders, enabling timely intervention and improved visual outcomes.

The inauguration was attended by nearly 40–50 faculty members, reflecting AIIMS Nagpur's continued focus on multidisciplinary collaboration and adoption of cutting-edge medical technologies.

With the commissioning of this advanced diagnostic facility, AIIMS Nagpur further strengthens its mission of delivering world-class healthcare, advancing medical education and research, and making state-of-the-art ophthalmic services accessible to the people of Vidarbha and Central India.

Nagpur, 10 July 2026: AIIMS Nagpur held a deliberation meeting on strengthening de-addiction services and community outreach under the chairmanship of Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P. Joshi, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Nagpur.

The meeting was organized by the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF), Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS Nagpur, in collaboration with Pravah Foundation and Nagpur Rural Police as part of ongoing efforts towards a community-based De-Addiction Awareness Program. The initiative aims to bring together healthcare services, police authorities, and community organizations to improve the prevention and treatment of substance use problems.

The meeting was attended by Shri Sagar Yashwant Kharde, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Nagpur Rural, a representative of Pravah Foundation, and faculty members of the Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS Nagpur.

The discussions focused on reducing the stigma associated with addiction, spreading awareness that addiction is a treatable medical condition, and improving public knowledge about available treatment services and the importance of seeking help early.

As part of the initiative, individuals with substance use problems identified in the community by Nagpur Rural Police personnel will be referred to AIIMS Nagpur for further evaluation and treatment. This referral process began on the day of the meeting, marking an important step towards improving access to addiction treatment services in the community.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. (Dr.) Prashant P. Joshi appreciated the collaborative effort and emphasized the importance of partnerships between healthcare institutions, police authorities, and community organizations in addressing the growing problem of substance use disorders. He reiterated AIIMS Nagpur's commitment to strengthening prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and community awareness activities through a multidisciplinary approach.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment among all stakeholders to expand awareness activities, improve access to quality addiction treatment services, and work towards building a healthier, addiction-free community.

NAGPUR: The Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Nagpur has successfully renewed its accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) by meeting the strict ISO 15189:2022 standards. The initial accreditation was conferred to the laboratory in year 2024. Notably, the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory was the first lab amongst all AIIMS to receive the NABL accreditation.

The laboratory has been officially accredited for multiple parameters within Clinical Biochemistry and Immunoassay, reaffirming the facility's commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable, and error-free diagnostic services to patients.

The milestone was achieved under the leadership and vision of Dr. P. P. Joshi, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Nagpur. The effort was aptly supported by Medical Superintendent Dr. Nilesh Nagdeve and Dr. Nitin Marathe, Joint Medical Superintendent.

The rigorous accreditation process was orchestrated by Dr. Yogesh Pawade, Laboratory Head, Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry. Ensuring the lab met all strict compliance and quality benchmarks was a dedicated team comprised of Quality Manager Dr. Niranjan Gopal, Deputy Quality Managers Dr. Dnyanesh Amle, Dr. Apurva Bhoyar, Dr. Ashwin Butle and Dr. Deepa Telgote, Section-in-Charges  Mr. Roshan Takhelmayum and Mrs. Jancy Jose, along with Senior residents, junior residents and support staff of the laboratory, played indivisibly crucial role in the process. The process was supported by HLL HindLab Team having Mr. Amar Singh Salok, Project Manager, Mr. Ankit, Mr. Jatin and other HLL staff throughout the accreditation journey.

This renewed NABL accreditation serves as a formal recognition of the laboratory's technical competence, assuring its users that the test results continue to meet the highest global standards for medical diagnostics.