Latest news with #PostgraduateInstituteofMedicalEducationandResearch
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Karnal woman dies after setting herself ablaze due to in-laws' abuse
A 36-year-old woman from Karnal, Haryana, who had set herself on fire after allegedly enduring prolonged abuse by her husband and his family, died of her injuries on Sunday evening at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. Her death coincided with her younger daughter's second birthday. According to police, a case has been registered at Assandh police station under Sections 85 (cruelty by husband or his relatives) and 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the woman's husband and brother-in-law. However, no arrests have been made yet. In a statement recorded on May 24, the victim told police that she had been subjected to ongoing physical and emotional abuse, especially after giving birth to daughters. 'They tortured me a lot. I set myself on fire. I did this out of sorrow,' she said, referring to the incident on May 21, when she poured oil on herself and set herself ablaze. She suffered third-degree burns over 70% of her body and had injury marks on her head, her sister stated. The woman also revealed that her husband tried to coerce her into lying about the cause of the fire. 'My husband told me to say there was fire in the curtains,' she said in her statement. Married for 11 years, the victim was a postgraduate in English (MA) but said her husband dismissed her education and forced her into a life of hardship in their village. She alleged being forced into strenuous labour, face constant verbal abuse, and financial neglect, especially after the birth of her second daughter. After the birth of their first daughter, she was reportedly sent back to her parents' home within six months. Following the birth of their second child two years ago, a similar situation occurred. Her sister recalled that although they had attempted reconciliation and sent her back, the victim never disclosed the full extent of the abuse at the time. In her final days, while admitted to the burn unit ICU at PGIMER, the woman confided in her family. She revealed that her husband would often keep her phone on recording, which made her fearful of speaking out. Her family believes this intimidation prevented her from seeking help earlier. The victim's parents have accused her husband and his family of playing a direct role in her death. They are currently awaiting the postmortem report.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
40-year-old Covid patient from UP dies in Chandigarh hospital
A 40-year-old patient from Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, who was referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh's Sector 32 from Ludhiana after he tested positive for Covid-19, died early on Wednesday. This is the first reported case of Covid-19 in Chandigarh amid the latest surge of the infection, even as one case was recently reported in Mohali. At present, the authorities have not released any information on the Covid variant that affected the Firozabad resident or whether he had any comorbidities. He was in isolation in the hospital's Covid-19 ward. Earlier this week, Dr P V M Lakshmi, professor at the School of Public Health at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, had stated that the recent rise in infections in various states does not indicate a completely new variant, adding that mutations are a normal process. This virus is from the JN.1 lineage, as per the doctor, and it is difficult to say how severe it is at this stage. Dr Lakshmi advised that vulnerable groups like young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals must be cautious. People experiencing symptoms like difficulty in breathing, persistent cough, cold with fever, or high fever lasting more than four to five days should seek immediate medical attention. Precautions can also be taken, like washing hands and wearing a mask in crowded places. The Delhi Government had recently issued an advisory stating that hospitals should ensure preparedness in case Covid-19 cases increase. This includes checking the availability of beds, oxygen, and essential medicines. Those who test positive should isolate themselves from high-risk groups until symptoms are completely resolved. They must also monitor their health — if the fever doesn't come down or breathing becomes difficult, they should visit a hospital immediately. Currently, mass testing for Covid-19 is not being carried out, but experts say there is no need to panic. The administration of the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh inspected isolation wards and ensured preparedness on Tuesday. The administration of the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16 stated that all necessary supplies are already in stock. Dr Suman Singh, director, Health Services, confirmed that all essential resources are available. 'There is no need to panic. We are closely monitoring the situation and will plan further action if needed,' she added.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PGIMER's Ravindra Khaiwal named among world's top researchers
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Ravindra Khaiwal , a distinguished faculty member from the department of community medicine and School of Public Health at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research ( PGIMER ), Chandigarh, has been recognised as a 2024 highly ranked scholar by ScholarGPS, a globally respected platform for evaluating academic coveted recognition places Prof Khaiwal among the top 0.05% of scholars worldwide, reflecting his exceptional contributions to public health, environmental monitoring , climate change, and air pollution to the ScholarGPS 2024 global rankings, Khaiwal ranks 1st in North India, 21st worldwide in environmental monitoring, 16th in air pollution, 36th in pollution, 40th in general public health and 174th in public pioneering research has significantly influenced environmental and health policy, addressing some of the most pressing global challenges. His work has helped shape national strategies to combat air pollution and climate-related health risks, fostering collaboration between scientific, environmental, and public health over 170 peer-reviewed publications, more than 17,000 citations, and an impressive h-index of 61, Khaiwal is widely regarded as one of India's leading environmental health scientists. His earlier recognition by Stanford University as being among the top 1% of global environmental scientists — with a #1 rank in India and #130 globally in meteorology and atmospheric science — further underscores his academic his career, Khaiwal has received numerous national and international accolades, including finalist, Elsevier NASI-SCOPUS Young Scientist Award (2014); International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) fellowship by the US Department of State (2018); PN Raju Oration Award, ICMR (2019) and Presidential Award, Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine (IAPSM) (2021).ScholarGPS evaluates more than 30 million scholars globally, ranking them across 14 fields, 177 disciplines, and over 350,000 specialties based on objective, quantitative indicators such as publication volume, citation impact, and latest recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to PGIMER's commitment to promoting impactful, world-class research in public health and environmental congratulated Khaiwal on this prestigious honour and reaffirmed its dedication to advancing research that drives positive change in public health and environmental sustainability.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
How PGI's chronic back pain module of yoga and physiotherapy got 26-year-old out of bed: His recovery plan is now an app
This is the story of a doctor-patient relationship that evolved from pain—a lot of it. Sahil Dev, 26, a visual effects professional, had been struggling with debilitating pain after a football injury, which left him only able to walk sideways. 'I had a curved spine, couldn't comb my hair, dropped a year of college, and took painkillers just to sit through a two-hour exam. I was bedridden for a year,' he recalls. Dr Babita Ghai, head of the pain clinic at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, helped straighten Sahil's spine through a combination of yoga and physiotherapy. Given that Sahil was a visual artist and Dr Ghai had researched chronic back pain in Indians, both decided to develop an app for back pain prevention and care. 'This app by PGI will be the first in India to provide comprehensive resources for patients with back pain,' says Dr Ghai. She believes chronic back pain isn't just about medications and injections. 'It's about self-management and patient agency,' she adds. Dr. Ghai is also the lead investigator of the study The Yoga Brain Connection: A Neuroscientific Approach to Chronic Back Pain Management. Chronic back pain refers to pain lasting more than three months after tissue healing. Dr Ghai explains, 'Acute pain acts as a warning sign, while chronic pain is a condition. Sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, lack of exercise, and poor eating habits are primary causes of various chronic pains.' Once considered a condition linked to aging, chronic back pain is increasingly seen in young adults and adolescents. 'It may soon become an epidemic among the younger population. Our eight-city survey shows that 13% of people suffer from chronic back pain, a significant number,' she adds. At PGI's pain clinic, 70% of patients report chronic back pain. 'Early intervention is crucial to prevent a severe impact on functional ability and mental health,' says Dr Ghai. Sahil's MRI after his football injury revealed a disc bulge. His previous doctor suggested surgery, but Sahil wasn't willing to consider it. 'My body tilted to the left, and I couldn't walk. Everyday activities like using the washroom, eating, or sitting became a challenge. I had to stop attending college classes. I had to sleep in one position and often woke up at 3 am., playing games or reading to pass the sleepless hours,' says Sahil. Despite medication, physiotherapy, laser therapy, acupressure, and dry needling, the pain kept worsening. 'It was difficult to reconcile with my condition as I was into sports like skating and gymming,' he adds. When Dr Ghai saw Sahil, she realized that in addition to the disc bulge, Sahil had scoliosis—a condition where the spine curves abnormally, often resembling an 'S' or 'C' shape. 'The centre of gravity shifts behind the bones rather than over them, causing minimal weight-bearing on the legs and increasing pressure on the lumbar discs, stretching the ligaments and muscles supporting the spine,' Dr Ghai explains. Along with medical treatments, Sahil needed to change his lifestyle. He avoided long sitting hours, improved his posture while working on his laptop, and became mindful of not slouching. He also took breaks every hour and adjusted how he carried his computer bag to ensure an equal weight distribution. However, it was low-impact exercises and yoga that helped the most. He was guided through gentle postures, including knee-to-chest stretches, upper spinal extensions, and cat-camel exercises. Slow diaphragmatic breathing accompanied these movements. 'After about two weeks, I could feel my body straightening. I began swimming and walking in the water. The bounce of the water helped me move my limbs. Despite the pain, I didn't give up and returned to the pool every morning,' says Sahil. He also set up a studio at home, where he could follow the stretching and breathing routines recommended by his doctors. His dietician sister put him on a diet high in calcium and Vitamin D, with protein in every meal and limited sweets. 'I had sprouts, salads, sattu and bajra rotis. I had roasted chickpeas and seed mixes for snacks, moved my fruit as dessert and kept to a per meal calorie plan. I would monitor my weight weekly and walk after every meal. All of this also improved my mental health profile, completely eliminating my anxiety,' says Sahil. Dr Ghai's app will provide detailed guidance on maintaining a healthy spine. The app will feature 2D animation videos illustrating common activities, showing both correct and incorrect ways of sitting, standing, eating, washing dishes, and watching TV. There will be practical tips, like keeping the laptop screen at a 90-degree angle with your line of sight and placing the mouse at a 90-degree angle. The app will also provide instructions on exercises to strengthen lower abdominals, obliques, and quadratus muscles. Initially, the app will be available for PGIMER patients and can be run on Android phones. 'The key to pain management is awareness. The rehabilitation plan in the app has been created with the help of psychologists, and the exercises have been approved by 20 national and international experts,' Dr Ghai explains.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PGI's dermatology department ranked 1st in Asia, 19th globally by EduRank
Chandigarh: Bringing global recognition to Indian medical research and education, the department of dermatology, venereology & leprology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has ranked first in Asia and 19th globally among the world's best universities for dermatology in 2025 by Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The ranking, released on March 2, is based on rigorous academic metrics, including research performance, publications, and citations. EduRank, an independent organisation, evaluated 1,885 institutions for their dermatology research output out of a pool of 14,131 universities worldwide. The dermatology department, led by Prof Sanjeev Handa, is the only Asian institute among the top 20 globally — a list otherwise dominated by elite American and European institutions. Of the 18 institutions placed above PGIMER, 14 are from the US, including Harvard University, University of California, Johns Hopkins University, Mayo Clinic, and Mount Sinai. The remaining four are based in Europe, featuring prestigious names such as University College London and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Prof Handa expressed pride in the department's consistent performance, stating, "We are honoured to be ranked first in Asia again this year. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and excellence of our entire team." He credited the success to his group of eight consultants — Drs Davinder Parsad, Sunil Dogra, Dipankar De, Sendhil Kumaran, Tarun Narang, Rahul Mahajan, Vinay Keshavmurthy, and Vinod Sharma — as well as a committed team of senior residents. "They are the backbone of the department," he said. Despite an ever-increasing patient load, with an average of 450 outpatients daily, the department has maintained its academic and research excellence. Prof Handa emphasised that the ranking reflects not just scholarly output but also the team's ability to balance world-class research with high-volume clinical care.
