GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Introduction                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

As per Global estimates, the pandemic has halted or reversed the progress made over the past decade in health especially reproductive, maternal and child health and shortened life expectancy. To achieve the goal of good health and well being for all individuals of all ages by 2030, Targets set aim towards reducing maternal mortality, reducing preventable deaths in new born and under five year old, ending epidemics of AIDS, TB, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, combat hepatitis, water borne diseases, reducing premature mortality.

It also targets non communicable diseases, promotes mental health and wellbeing, strengthens prevention and treatment of substance abuse and harmful use of alcohol, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services, achieve universal health care.

Nitte DU works in collaboration with health institutions of local, national or global importance. It has well designed health outreach programmes focussing on hygiene, nutrition, family planning, sports, exercise and ageing well. The University supports shared sports facility with local community. It offers free sexual health care for students including information and educational services.

Policies adopted by the Nitte DU advocate a smoke free campus that has been declared as Tobacco Free Zone. The campus has a Student Wellness Centre for physical and mental health and well being of the staffs and students of the University. The Univesity supports a healthy enviornment for education, practice and research.

Infrastructure and facilities providing health care and wellbeing:

Good health and well being research projects with extramural funding at Nitte DU: Five ICMR research projects are currently under progress sanctioned during 2019-2020.

• Dr Praveen Kumar Shetty, Director of Research is working on therapeutic implications of nutritional supplement short-chain fatty acid-butyrate in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 39,64,202
• Dr Anirban Chakraborty, Director, NUCSER is awarded a project to Combat cancer through alternative approaches: Investigating the antitumor properties of non- typhoidal Salmonella in transgenic zebrafish cancer models. The sanctioned amount is Rs.44,00,000
• Dr. Deekshit is investigating the antimicrobial efficacy of NANOBIOTICS against multidrug- resistant gut pathogens. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 47,40,248
• Dr. Gunimala Chakraborty is developing novel methods like Liquid Biopsy for Lung Cancer: Development of LAMP assays using cell-free DNA for screening of gene mutations that interfere with response to TKIs in patients. The sanctioned amount is Rs.40,63,000
• Dr. Rathika Shenoy is conducting a comprehensive clinical and genetic evaluation of children with orofacial clefting for associated anomalies. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 40,93,000

Four DST-SERB projects were sanctioned and under progress.

• Dr. Deekshit is decoding the traits of drug resistance and studying the genetic factors contributing to the survivability and adaptability of gut pathogens in antibiotic rich environments. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 34,33,995.
• Dr. Sudarshan Kini is developing a novel rapid sensitive soprinosin resonance energy transfer technique for selective detection and quantification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 3613764
• Dr Anirban Chakraborty is working on RNases and cancer: decoding the role of Poly (A) -Specific ribonuclease (PARN) in tumorigenesis. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 33,46,665
• Dr. Anurag Sharma is deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved in hematopoietic perturbation induced by environmental chemical(s) using Drosophila as an animal model. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 44,29,040

Other extramural funded projects:

• Dr Lekha Pandit is working on a BIRAC sponsored project for the Development of a cost-effective cell-based assay for the diagnosis of Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in India. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 40,93,000
• Dr. Indrani Karunasagar developing lessons for the future: Qualifying and quantifying South Asia’s first widespread ciguatera poisoning outbreak, a project sponsored by NERC.The sanctioned amount is Rs.55,00,000
• Dr. Suchetha Kumari, is awarded K-FIST from GoK for Molecular screening of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Dakshina Kannada. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 40,00,000
• She is also conducting an assessment of the relationship between Glycosylphosphatidylinositol and IgG levels in a repeated malarial infection project sponsored by NIH Penn State. The sanctioned amount is Rs. 60,17,050

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT NITTE DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY

TRAINING PROGRAMS:
A Workshop on “BASIC LIFE SUPPORT” was conducted for participants consisting of Faculty, PGs and UGs of medical, dental and physiotherapy colleges.

Two day workshop in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck surgery was conducted for 65 participants including faculty, staff and post graduates students in mock objective structured clinical examination by National Board in DNB examinations.

Workshop on 3D printing in Dentistry was conducted for 150 students, faculty and staff member of ABSMIDS The Department of Psychiatry, KSHEMA, organized a 3- day Train the Trainers program for the 30 member staff of Akhila Karnataka Jana Jagruthi Vedike, Belthangady.

A 3-day internship orientation program for the newly joined interns was conducted and they were provided hands on skill lab based training on catheterization, prescription writing & IV injections besides training them in patient transfer & airway management.

Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences organized a staff development program on the subject, ‘Building Resilience’, for the non- teaching staff.

WEBINARS/CONFERENCES

Endodontics: Art of Present, a continuing dental education program was conducted by the De- partment of Conservative Dentistry & Endodon- tics

The Department of Pharmacology organized a CME / Symposium, “ONCOPHARMACOLOGY”. The Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology organized a CME on “HIGH RISK OBSTETRICS 2020”

The Department of Forensic Medicine organized a CME, “Curriculum Implementation Support Programme in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology”

Webinar on “Epidemics of Vector Borne Diseases amidst COVID-19 Pandemic in Low and Middle Income Countries and its Burden on Health Sys- tem’’

A three-day National Workshop on “Biodosime- try - Perspectives on Current Trends” in associ- ation with the Karnataka Science & Technology Academy

NGSMIPS organized the International Virtual Conference on “Opportunities and Challenges in Pre-Clinical Drug Discovery”

AWARENESS PROGRAMS:

The Nitte DU in association with the District Administration and KSPCB conducted a one- day awareness program on ‘Bio-Medical Waste Management - Present Status and Future directions’ for over 500 medical, nursing and biomedical professionals

National Chapter Webinar was organized for 1512 participants on ‘Confidence Rebuilding in Sportsmen through Physical Fitness and Stress management during the pandemic’.

A public awareness program for Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) personnel, was held by the Department of Community Medicine, KSHEMA. The topics covered included Health & Hygiene, Sanitation and First Aid.

E-Poster competition on ‘Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use’ by The youth red cross unit, KSHEMA

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY

The Physical Education Department, ABSMIDS conducted an online quiz competition on “General Awareness about Yoga”

Womens forum in association with the art of living, Mangalore conducted “Yoga and meditation workshop” for health and well being Prof. Dr. Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, Vice Chancellor, Nitte (Deemed to be University) released the video “Virtual Yoga for Immunity.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

The Dept of Community Medicine, KSHEMA has celebrated World Health day, Cancer day, Diabetes day, AIDS day, Haert day, Pulse polio immunisation.

It has also conducted weekly health awareness talks regarding environmental sanitation, clean water and hygeine, non communicable diseases, COVID-19 etc

The Dept has also been actively involved in the COVID-19 vaccination drives in the community along with creating awareness and mitigating the myths.

The Dept has also conducted free eye camps along with distribution of free spectacles, face masks and sanitisers. The Dept in collaboration with the district authorities conducted COVID-19 screening camps and door to door survey.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Telemedicine by Nitte & Telemedicine services via Whatsapp launched

Nitte Group Mangaluru, has contributed Rs.1.25 crore to support the efforts towards fighting COVID-19 in India.75 lac have been contributed to the ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund)’ and Rs 50 lac to the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Live webinar on Safe management of COVID-19 Dead body for mangalore public was organized by Nitte University in collaboration with Indian Red cross society, DK

Best video contest conducted by Nitte DU for videos creating awareness on Covid-19

NSS Unit of Nitte DU and NSS Cell, Youth Empowerment & Sports Department, GoK jointly organised an awareness program on COVID-19 through Live Webinar

Online psychosocial support and mental health services during COVID 19 including 46 volunteers in 13 Indian languages. Nitte-Sakura Science Forum, Nitte in association with University of Miyazaki, Japan organised a Virtual Conference on COVID-19 Pandemic: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

A webinar on ‘Physiotherapy in geriatric care during Covid-19’ was organised by Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy in collaboration with the Departments of Community Medicine & Orthopaedics

World Human Rights Day celebrated with the theme of ‘Building awareness towards Covid- safe lifestyle’:

NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP): DOTS centre established. National AIDS Control Organization (NACO): ICTC approved for testing of HIV and distribution of ART. NPCDCS: anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic drugs are distributed free of cost and outreach screening camps conducted. National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP): regular larval surveys conducted for dengue and malaria Universal Immunization programme: all children up to 16 years vaccinated every Thursday at the hospital and all the Rural and Urban Health Training Centres.

SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMME

In the year of 2019 and 2020, Department of Community Medicine from K S Hegde Medical Academy organized and took part in various health education programmes involving school children in activities and health awareness talks pertaining to health.7 schools, over 800 beneficiaries. General health checkup, awareness on tobacco and drugs, HIV, menstrual hygeine, reproductive and adolescent health was conducted.

ANGANWADI HEALTH PROGRAMME

Anganwadi centres are the focal units for the implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services projects in each block. 15 activities involving 85 beneficiaries included general Health Check-up and Nutritional Status Assessment for children under the age of 6 years, immunization Programme, awareness regarding breast feeding practice, menstrual hygiene, sensitisation regarding PCPNDT ACT and family planning practices.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL UNIT

Total number of health education activities account to 29 in number in the year 2019 -2020 with total number of beneficiaries accounting to 580 individuals.

Topics covered for health education and awareness included important health days such as World Mental Health Day, World Cancer Day, World Health Day, Blood Donation Day, World Diabetes Day, World Tuberculosis Day and on various awareness weeks such as Breast Cancer Awareness Week, Breast Feeding Awareness Week etc. In general, importance were given to information and education on Family Planning, Ill Effects of Tobacco and Alcohol, Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Importance of ORS, Worm infestations, Adolescent Health For Parents, Drug Abuse, Menstrual Hygiene and Reproductive Health.