Partnership to promote joint clinical research, strengthen healthcare capacity and develop solutions for CKDu and sickle cell disease in Chhattisgarh and Odisha
Raipur: In a significant step towards strengthening public healthcare services and medical research in central India, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, and Sambalpur University, Odisha, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote collaborative research and develop solutions to regional health challenges.
The strategic partnership aims to encourage joint clinical research, expand healthcare capabilities and develop innovative and practical solutions in the fields of public health and medical science across Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
Focus on CKDu and Sickle Cell Disease
A key focus of the collaboration will be Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin (CKDu) and sickle cell disease, along with other serious health challenges affecting communities in the region.
According to Dr. Ishwar Baitharu, Deputy Registrar (Academics), Sambalpur University, several districts in Odisha have reported an unusual increase in kidney disease cases.
He noted that many of the symptoms observed among patients in these areas are similar to those reported among patients from CKDu-affected regions of Chhattisgarh.
Against this backdrop, the two institutions have identified the need for coordinated research across both states to better understand the disease, identify possible causes and develop effective prevention strategies.
Focus on Translating Research into Health Policies
Highlighting the importance of the partnership, AIIMS Raipur Executive Director Lieutenant General Ashok Jindal (Retd.) said the collaboration would go beyond publishing academic research papers.
He emphasised that the objective is to translate research findings into practical healthcare strategies and public policies that can have a direct impact on communities.
He also said that the scope of the collaboration could be expanded in the future to cover sickle cell disease and other regional health challenges.
The partnership is expected to contribute to the development of healthcare solutions that are accessible, affordable and effective for the general population.
Senior Officials and Researchers Attend MoU Ceremony
Senior administrative officials, doctors and researchers from both institutions were present during the MoU signing ceremony.
AIIMS Raipur was represented by Dean (Academics) Dr. Eli Mohapatra, Associate Dean (Research) Dr. Ekta Khandelwal, Dr. Pugazhenthan Thangaraju, Dr. Virat Gehlotara, Dr. Suprava Patel, Dr. Vinay Rathore and Dr. Neelam Devi Maravi.
Representing Sambalpur University were Deputy Registrar Dr. Ishwar Baitharu, research scholars Pralay Biswas and Sawan Kumar Sahu.
Strengthening Regional Healthcare Research
The partnership between AIIMS Raipur and Sambalpur University is expected to provide a stronger platform for addressing shared health challenges in Chhattisgarh and Odisha through scientific research and institutional collaboration.
Joint studies on CKDu, sickle cell disease and other regional health conditions could help improve understanding of disease patterns, support early detection and prevention, and contribute to the development of evidence-based, people-centric healthcare policies.
The collaboration marks an important step towards connecting medical research, public health policy and affordable healthcare delivery for communities across the region.
