CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Ajay Singh, the Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, continuously fosters a culture of academic excellence and knowledge-sharing among faculty and students. Under his guidance, AIIMS Bhopal has achieved remarkable accomplishments across various academic platforms.
The participation of faculty members in various conferences and workshops not only enhances their skills but also keeps them updated with the latest advancements. Recently, Harshita S, an MD student from the Department of Pediatrics at AIIMS Bhopal, along with her mentor, Professor Girish Chandra Bhatt, was awarded the Indian Journal of Pediatrics (IJP) Best MD Thesis in Pediatrics Award.
This honor was presented at IJP’s Annual Scientific Day held at AIIMS, New Delhi. Their research, titled “Unmasking Silent Organ Damage: The Impact of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Abnormalities and Sleep Apnea in Children with Sickle Cell Disease,” was selected as one of the top four studies from various medical institutions across India, including Dr. Harshita S. These finalists were invited to present their research along with their mentors during the 17th K.C. Chaudhary Award ceremony. The selected institutions included JIPMER (Puducherry), PGIMER (Chandigarh), AIIMS Jodhpur, and AIIMS Bhopal.
Commenting on this achievement, Director Singh stated, “This award not only recognizes Harshita’s hard work and dedication but also reflects the excellence of our entire institution. Our goal is to improve children’s health, and through talented researchers like Dr. Harshita, we will continue to innovate in the diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease and other complications.”
The research highlighted the importance of regular monitoring through tests like echocardiography, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and proteinuria to better understand the health conditions of children with sickle cell disease. Since kidney disease often causes issues in adults with sickle cell disease, early identification and timely treatment through various tests are crucial. This can help reduce future complications and improve the quality of life for these children. The American Heart Association also recommends monitoring blood pressure and early signs of kidney failure in these children to address any serious issues before they arise.
Prof. Singh congratulated Harshita, her mentor Girish Chandra Bhatt, and their expert team for their significant contributions to this important research. He remarked that this research is not only commendable but also holds the potential to pave new paths in the treatment of sickle cell disease.
