Sri Vijaya Puram, May 22: The Department of Community Medicine, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS) formally launched two major community-based research projects in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research – Regional Medical Research Centre, Sri Vijaya Puram (ICMR–RMRCSVP) at CHC Bambooflat.
Dr. Mukesh Tripathi, Director, ANIIMS, graced the occasion as chief guest with Dr. T. Anil Kumar, Dean Academics (I/C), ANIIMS as Special Invitee. The programme commenced with the formal inauguration of the projects by the dignitaries along with a brief overview of the projects and their objectives, after which Participants’ Swasthya Kits were distributed to enrolled participants of both the projects.
The two projects directly confront two of the most pressing public health concerns in the islands today: late detection of breast cancer and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases. The breast self-examination project aims to place a life-saving skill directly into the hands of women in their own homes, transforming early detection from a hospital event into a daily personal practice. The nutritional intervention project, in parallel seeks to slow the quiet advance of Diabetes and Hypertension in the islands — by intervening where prevention truly begins: in one’s food choices and lifestyle. The projects are led by Principal Investigators Dr. Ajay Raj S and Dr. Samar Hossain with Dr. Aanchal Anand and Dr. Mitul Saha serving as Co-Principal Investigators. The findings, once consolidated are expected to serve as a reference point for future public health interventions across the islands and to add a distinctive island voice to the national dialogue on community-based preventive care.