Patna: AIIMS Patna on Tuesday launched the NUtrition Research Course to Translate and Utilize REsearch (NURTURE) – Regional Training Capsule, Bihar, a regional training initiative aimed at strengthening India’s nutrition research ecosystem. The programme seeks to equip healthcare professionals, academicians and researchers with the skills required to generate evidence that supports nutrition policy and public health interventions.
The three-day training programme, being held from July 21 to 23, is organised by the Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Patna, in collaboration with the College of Community Science at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU), Pusa, St. John’s Research Institute (SJRI), Bengaluru, and UNICEF.
Programme Inaugurated by AIIMS Patna Leadership
The programme was inaugurated by Prof. (Brig.) Dr. Raju Agarwal, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Patna, in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Punam Prasad Bhadani, Dean (Academics); Prof. (Dr.) Prashant Kumar Singh, Medical Superintendent; Prof. (Dr.) Usha Singh, Dean of the College of Community Science at RPCAU; Prof. (Dr.) Rebecca Kuriyan Raj, Professor and Head of the Division of Nutrition at SJRI; Dr. Antaryami Dash, Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF Bihar; and Dr. Ruchika Chugh Sachdeva, Nutrition Lead at Gates Foundation India.
Faculty members, clinicians, researchers and public health professionals from across the country also attended the inaugural session.
Focus on Evidence-Based Nutrition Research
Addressing participants, Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Pandey, Head of the Department of Community and Family Medicine and Dean (Research) at AIIMS Patna, said that although the recently released NFHS-6 shows improvements in several child nutrition indicators, malnutrition continues to be a major public health challenge in India.
He said the next phase of the country’s nutrition mission should be supported by locally relevant research capable of identifying region-specific challenges, evaluating interventions and informing evidence-based policymaking.
In his inaugural address, Prof. (Brig.) Dr. Raju Agarwal said that eliminating malnutrition requires collaboration among healthcare institutions, researchers, academic organisations, policymakers and development partners.
Collaborative Approach to Capacity Building
Speaking at the event, Dr. Antaryami Dash, Nutrition Specialist at UNICEF Bihar, reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to strengthening nutrition programmes through technical support, research collaboration and capacity building.
According to AIIMS Patna, the training capsule has been designed as an intensive, hands-on programme covering nutrition research methodology, study design, data analysis, scientific writing and evidence translation. The initiative brings together clinicians, nutrition scientists, academicians, programme managers and public health professionals to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and research excellence.
Strengthening Public Health Research
AIIMS Patna said the launch of the NURTURE Regional Training Capsule reflects its broader efforts to strengthen medical education, research and public health. The institute said the initiative aims to enhance research capacity and support the development of evidence-driven nutrition policies that contribute to improved health outcomes across the country.
