Guwahati: The Department of Statistics at Assam University, Silchar, recently hosted a one-day workshop titled “Detection to Ministration: Multimorbidity among 45 Years and above Population in Tribal and Non-Tribal Areas (MATA)”.
The workshop was conducted as part of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)-funded project on “Effectiveness of Telemedicine on Multimorbidity among 45 Years and Above Population in Tribal & Non-Tribal Areas in the Northeast Region: A Multicenter Pre-Post Prospective Cohort Study.”
Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant inaugurated the event.
Padma Shri awardee and emeritus professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, Professor Dr. Kameshwar Prasad graced the event as the chief guest.
The workshop marks the official launch of the MATA project in the Northeast, funded by ICSSR, New Delhi.
This initiative aims to tackle the healthcare challenges faced by underserved communities through innovative telemedicine solutions.
The primary goal of the workshop was to raise awareness about multimorbidity, which refers to the coexistence of multiple chronic health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, musculoskeletal disease, stroke, and mental health disorders.
With a particular focus on the tribal and non-tribal populations of Northeast India, the workshop explored the potential of telemedicine in managing these conditions.
This study marks the first multimorbidity cohort research in the Northeast, covering Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
The project is being coordinated by Dr. Vivek Verma from Assam University, Silchar, with Dr Kanchan Kanti Brahma (Physiotherapist) from Science College, Kokrajhar, and Prof. Tarun Bikash Sukai (Social Work) from Assam University, Silchar, serving as co-directors for the Assam site.
In the other states of the Northeast, Dr. Ravi Ranjan Kumar (Social Work) from RGU, Arunachal Pradesh; Prof. Banrida T. Langstieh (Anthropology) from NEHU, Shillong; and Dr. Suman Dhar (Spine Surgery) from AGMC, Tripura are acting as co-directors for their respective states.
The workshop also featured presentations by prominent clinical experts, including Prof. Vivek K. Nambiar (Neurology) from Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi; Prof. Manohar KN (Diabetology) and Dr K. Satish Kumar (Psychologist) from Manipal Hospital, Bangalore; Dr Neha Parashar (Psychologist) from Cadabams Hospitals, Bengaluru; Dr Amit Kumar (Lab Medicine) from RIMS, Ranchi; Dr. Puneet Gupta (Cardiology) from Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, among others.
The experts discussed critical issues related to multimorbidity in tribal and non-tribal areas, emphasizing the role of telemedicine in bridging gaps in healthcare access.
Telemedicine, which facilitates remote consultations and monitoring, is expected to help individuals in underserved and hard-to-reach regions by enabling early diagnosis and timely medical intervention for those suffering from chronic conditions.
In addition to the workshop, a health consultation camp was organized at the Roskandy Tea Estate Hospital, where 100 experts treated and diagnosed the patients.
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The project, which spans five years with periodic follow-ups, will focus on multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, musculoskeletal disease, stroke, and mental health disorders.
Additionally, the project will provide valuable opportunities and exposure for scholars, fostering research and development in healthcare solutions for underserved populations.
