Bhubaneswar, Oct 10: AIIMS Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), successfully hosted the 2nd National Conclave on Travel Health Clinics (THCs).
The two-day event concluded today and served as a vital national platform to deliberate on strengthening Travel Health infrastructure in India and integrating it into the mainstream public health system.
The conclave brought together representatives from various ministries, including the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Defence, along with experts from 16 AIIMS institutions and State Medical Colleges.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas emphasised on the need to establish Travel Health Clinics (THCs) across the country through coordinated inter-ministerial collaboration. Proposal to adopt a hub-and-spoke model, with AIIMS Bhubaneswar serving as a central hub to provide guidance, training, and operational support to THCs nationwide, added Dr. Biswas.
Dr. S. Senthilnathan addressed the feasibility of in-travel medical care, suggesting that even without doctors on board, trained staff could manage basic health issues effectively.
Dr. Vikas Bhatia highlighted the need for structured courses, training programs, and capacity-building in travel medicine, vaccination, infectious disease prevention, and emergency travel care.
The conclave was inaugurated by Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Bhubaneswar. Distinguished dignitaries included Dr. Madhabananda Kar, Executive Director, AIIMS Darbhanga, Dr. Sachidananda Mohanty, Executive Director, AIIMS Avantipora, Dr. S. Senthilnathan, DDG (PH–IH), DGHS, MoHFW, Dr. Sanjay K. Rai, Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, Commander Kaushik Roy, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ramya P, Director General, Shipping, Dr. Meera Dhuria, Joint Director, NCDC, Dr. Vikas Bhatia, HOD, CM & FM, AIIMS Bhubaneswar (Former ED, AIIMS Bibinagar), Dr. Sonu Hangma Subba, Dr. Swayam Pragyan Parida, Department of CM&FM, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, graced the conclave.
The conclave featured expert sessions, panel discussions, and practical demonstrations, reinforcing the need for a robust, policy-aligned, and research-backed approach to Travel Health in India.
It may be noted here that, the Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Bhubaneswar set up a new ‘Travel Health Clinic’ in the hospital in 2023. This was the first of its kind in Odisha and one among the very few in the country.
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