Healthcare workers capacitated on rare diseases
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 28 2024: Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal on Saturday organised a one-day training programme on "Capacity Building on Rare Diseases" at Sushruta Hall.

The programme aimed to enhance awareness, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for rare diseases, equipping healthcare professionals with necessary skills to address associated challenges effectively.

Inaugurating the programme, RIMS director Prof G Sunil Kumar Sharma emphasised early diagnosis, improved treatment protocols and collaborative efforts to combat rare diseases.

Healthcare workers capacitated on rare diseases

The event featured presentations by distinguished speakers, including additional DDG & director EMR, MoHFW Dr L Swasticharan; AIIMS Jodhpur HoD Paediatrics Dr Kuldeep Singh; Medical Genetics, SGPGI Lucknow associate professor Dr Amita Moirangthem; and technical consultant (Rare Diseases), WHO India Dr Aastha Chugh.

The sessions covered the National Policy for Rare Diseases, care challenges, opportunities, and the hub-and-spokes model for addressing rare diseases in India.

RIMS HoD Paediatrics Prof Ch Shyamsunder Singh discussed regional strategies for tackling rare diseases.

Additionally, RIMS hosted an expert panel from December 27-28, 2024, to evaluate its readiness for designation as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for rare diseases.

The panel conducted compliance verification, facility inspection, and reviewed capacity-building initiatives with discussions focused on prevention, treatment strategies, and replicating successful models from AIIMS Jodhpur and SGPGI Lucknow.

RIMS reaffirmed its commitment to advancing rare disease care infrastructure.

Recommendations from the panel will guide preparations for CoE recognition, strengthening RIMS's role in rare disease management and research.

The program was attended by the nodal officer for Rare Diseases and rare diseases committee members of RIMS; Imphal; the state nodal officer (Rare Diseases), Manipur; nodal officer for Rare Diseases at JNIMS, Imphal; representatives from all concerned departments at RIMS Imphal and JNIMS, Manipur; IBSD Manipur scientist-E Dr B Nanaocha Sharma; Shija Hospitals consultant plastic surgeon Dr H Nabakishor Singh; the president and secretary of Paediatric Association of Manipur; and president and secretary of FOGSI, Manipur State Chapter.