Patna: Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna has marked National Nutrition Month with a wide-ranging awareness program designed to encourage healthier eating habits and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.
The event, held on September 24 at the institute, featured poster displays by nursing students covering themes such as balanced diets, malnutrition, exercise, mental health and disease prevention. The colourful illustrations and simple slogans aimed to engage patients, staff and students with practical health messages.
“This year’s theme, ‘Complete nutrition is the foundation of a healthy life,’ underlines the need for balance at every stage of life,” said Manisha Kumari, Chief Dietitian, who presided over the program. “Good nutrition not only boosts immunity but also guards against conditions like diabetes, hypertension, obesity and kidney disease.”
Medical Superintendent Dr Manish Mandal said the activities were part of IGIMS’s contribution to the national campaign that takes place every September. Alongside the poster exhibition, the dietetics department hosted a nutrition exhibition, a poster competition and distributed educational material to patients.
Speakers stressed the importance of consuming local and seasonal foods, cutting down on junk food and maintaining regular physical activity. Dr Om Kumar, Dean (Academic), urged that Nutrition Month should be embraced in daily life, not merely as a symbolic observance. “Only then can we achieve the goal of ‘Nutrition in every home, health in every home,’” he said.
Dr Kalpana Singh, Head of Reproductive Medicine, highlighted women’s health, noting that healthy mothers build stronger families and societies.
The event drew a large gathering, including senior faculty, doctors, nursing staff, students and patients, reflecting broad support for nutrition awareness within the institute community.
