Manbhum Ananda Ashram Nityananda Trust (MANT) and the Centre for Public Health Research (CPHR), organized the National Symposium on Resolving Tribal Health Challenges.

In honor of the event, CPHR released its Annual Progress Report, which offers details on the organization’s accomplishments, current projects, and goals for public health research in the future.

Distinguished dignitaries like Padma Shri & Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Mr. Mukund Nayak, Nagpuri Folk Singer, Mr. Marty Otanez, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Chair, Anthropology, University of Colorado, Dr. Jaideep Menon, Head – Preventive Cardiology, Amrita Institute, Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Kerala, Dr. Chandrasekhar Janakiraman, Head Public Health Dentistry, Amrita Institute, Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Kerala, Dr Sayantan Banerjee, Associate Prof. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani, West Bengal, Dr Shekhar Bhojraj, Founder, The Spine Foundation Mumbai, Dr Kaushik Chattapadhyay, Assistant Professor. University of Nottingham, Dr. Omesh Bharti, Principal & State Epidemiologist, State Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Himachal Pradesh, MsSrimanti Hembram, First Tribal Radio Jockey in India & Ms Sarala Saren, Community Radio Producer graced the event.

They provided opinions on the future and addressed a range of health issues that tribal groups were facing. Their combined expertise facilitated a fruitful discussion that sought to mold the direction of tribal health programs going forward.

The presence of a tribal community from Purulia, who offered personal experiences and provided insight into the current state of maternity and newborn health, nutritional status, water cleanliness, and important health issues, was a highlight of the symposium. Their attendance gave the conversations a vitally important real-world context.

The symposium offered a forum for dialogue and solutions while bringing attention to the serious health problems that 8.6% of the population lives in tribal settlements. Tribal groups are among the most underserved when it comes to healthcare access, despite their considerable presence. In an attempt to close this disparity, the National Symposium on Tribal Health 2023 brought together scholars, researchers, and practitioners working in the field of tribal health to promote the sharing of knowledge and exchange of ideas.

Priyanka Dutta