KIMS docs invited to WHO-ICMR-NIIH-NIV workshop

Bhubaneswar, October 27: The World Health Organization (WHO) along with the
ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) institutes NIIH (National Institute of
Immunohematology, Mumbai) and NIV (National Institute of Virology), Pune had
organized a three-day national-level workshop on research capacity building.
This first of its kind workshop for which attendance was on by invitation, got top
experts from across the country. The Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS)
was invited to be a part at the event along with doctors from PGI Chandigarh,
SGPGI Lucknow, and AIIMS Rishikesh, among others.

Dr Sakir Ahmed Associate Professor Department of Clinical Immunology and
Rheumatology and Dr Sibabrata Patnaik Professor Department of Paediatrics,
KIMS, who are already working on a WHO-ICMR project on primary
immunodeficiency (PID), were invited from the city-based health-care major and
they took an active part in the programme.

The workshop was held at Lonavla, Pune from October 19 -21. It included updates
on Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEIs), hemoglobinopathies, and virology including
newer techniques and hands-on sessions. The gathering was addressed by Dr
Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO-Representative to India and Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director
General, ICMR.

Various collaborative and funding opportunities were also discussed by Dr
Ahmed and Dr Patnaik with Dr Muhammad Ahmad (Head of WHO-NPO), Dr
Manisha R. Madkaikar (Director, NIIH), and Dr Madhu Mohanty (Scientist F and
Deputy Director, NIV).