AIIMS-R conducts workshop on advanced genetic healthcare

Raipur: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur's Multidisciplinary Genetics Committee organised a national CME and workshop on "Genetic Insights for a Healthier Tomorrow."
The workshop acknowledged AIIMS Raipur's efforts in providing advanced and affordable genetic healthcare to the people of Chhattisgarh and surrounding regions. Rajya Sabha MP and Member of the Institute Body, AIIMS Raipur, Devendra Pratap Singh, commended the institute's dedication to serving underserved populations. He assured continued support in the form of funding, equipment, and favourable policies to enhance its services.
Saurabh Jain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, emphasised the timeliness and importance of focusing on genetics, describing it as the foundation of future medical progress. Lt Gen Ashok Jindal (Retd), Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Raipur, expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic participation of over 100 delegates from across the country. He also reaffirmed the institute's commitment to improving its genetic infrastructure.
The workshop's organising chairperson was Dr Jessy Abraham, In-charge, Department of Genetics, and the Organising Secretary was Dr Vinita Singh, In-charge, Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The Fetal Medicine Unit at AIIMS Raipur, established two years ago, made significant strides. The unit screened and counselled over 2,000 pregnant women with suspected fetal anomalies. High-risk cases were offered free confirmatory diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.
In the past year, the unit successfully performed over 100 invasive prenatal procedures, enabling families to make informed decisions. The unit is now recognised as a state-level referral centre, providing care to patients from Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states including Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.