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Community Medicine Department

Department of Community Medicine

The Department of Community Medicine is dedicated to enhancing public health through education, research, and services. Our mission is to address health issues at the community level, focusing on preventive care and promoting well-being. The Department offers comprehensive training for future healthcare professionals to address broad health issues, engage with communities, and implement effective interventions, fostering a holistic approach to patient care and public health. Faculty and staff are committed to delving into health disparities, conducting impactful research, and collaborating with local government and organizations to improve health outcomes. The Department provide consultation in research design, research methods and statistical methods during various stages of research projects. The commitment is to build healthier, resilient communities through impactful collaboration and action.

The Department of Community Medicine at ANIIMS stands at the intersection of clinical excellence and public health leadership. We are dedicated to shaping future physicians who understand health not just within the walls of a hospital but within the broader context of community and environment

Our comprehensive program merges rigorous academic teaching with extensive field-based training, fostering a practical understanding of epidemiology, preventive healthcare and health system management. Through our network of Rural and Urban Health Training Centres, students gain invaluable hands-on experience, engaging directly with diverse communities to address real-world health challenges

Beyond teaching, the department is a hub of active service and research. We drive community health initiatives, manage specialized clinics for non-communicable diseases and partner with local health authorities to conduct impactful outreach. Our work is committed to improving healthcare services and serving as a vital public health resource for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Department of Community Medicine

S.no Name Designation
1 Dr. Ajay Raj S Professor and Head
2 Dr. Samar Raesa Hossain Associate Professor
3 Dr. Amrita Burma Assistant Professor
4 Dr. Aanchal Anand Assistant Professor
5 Dr. Ezhilarasan Selvaraju Assistant Professor
6 Dr. Amol Ramkrushna Patil Statistician cum Assistant Professor
7 Dr. Mitul Saha Senior Resident
8 Dr. Saran Raj Junior Resident

Infrastructure

The Department of Community Medicine is supported by a robust and purpose-built infrastructure designed to facilitate a comprehensive learning experience. Our facilities include a dedicated seminar room for small-group teaching, a well-equipped demonstration hall, a practical laboratory, a specialized museum and a resource-rich library

Demonstration Room

The Demonstration Room serves as a primary space for interactive learning and detailed discussions. This environment enables personalized instruction and active student engagement. To enhance the educational experience, the room is provisioned with contemporary visual aids, specialized educational models, and integrated multimedia systems

Practical Laboratory

Our Practical Laboratory supports hands-on learning in community medicine. Students use this space to develop skills in key areas like entomology for vector identification, water quality analysis, and environmental health assessment. The facility provides direct experience with public health tools and methods, preparing students for fieldwork and community health practice

Library

Department Library maintains a comprehensive collection of learning resources fully aligned with NMC guidelines. The facility houses an updated collection of standard textbooks, reference materials, and national and international journals relevant to community medicine. Students and faculty have access to both physical and digital resources that support the curriculum and research needs

Museum

The Department's Museum features a collection of public health specimens and educational displays. Our exhibits include informative IEC materials on health topics and preventive measures, nutrition-focused specimens demonstrating dietary impacts on health, and detailed displays on vaccine administration and cold chain management. The museum also houses interactive models and visual charts, providing students with practical insights into key public health concepts through hands-on learning experiences.

Seminar Room

The Seminar Room serves as a functional academic space for departmental activities. Equipped with a projector and visual aids, it supports lectures, student presentations and group discussions. The seminar room supports everything from interactive lectures and student presentations to workshops and guest talks

Activities

The Department of Community Medicine maintains a structured portfolio of field-based learning and community health initiatives aimed at improving public health outcomes.

  • The department regularly conducts community awareness programs focusing on preventive healthcare, disease management, and health promotion in collaboration with the District Health Services (DHS).
  • Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions are organized to keep healthcare professionals updated with current public health practices and advancements.
  • Skill-building training workshops are conducted for healthcare and community health workers to strengthen service delivery at the grassroots level.
  • In accordance with NMC guidelines, the Family Adoption Program has been implemented for MBBS students since 2022. This program provides students with firsthand exposure to community living conditions while delivering health guidance and screening services to adopted families.

These initiatives collectively strengthen healthcare delivery, promote experiential learning, and contribute to the development of a health-aware community.

Community Medicine Units & Activities

Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Chouldari

RHTC Chouldari has been serving as ANIIMS dedicated rural health center since 2017, providing essential healthcare services to approximately 5,312 community members while serving as a crucial training ground for medical students. The center oversees two health sub-centers and nine Anganwadi centers, forming an integrated healthcare network in the region.The facility offers comprehensive medical services including routine patient care, specialized clinics for non-communicable diseases and adolescent health, and complete laboratory services. Alongside clinical care, the center conducts regular training programs for community health workers and serves as a practical learning site for medical students, connecting academic knowledge with real-world public health practice.

The centre provides routine patient care, specialized clinics for non-communicable diseases and adolescent health, complete laboratory services, and regular training programs for ASHA and ANM workers. It also serves as a vital field training site for undergraduate medical students.

Urban Health and Wellness Centre (UHWC), Haddo

Urban Health and Wellness Centre (UHTC) Haddo stands as ANIIMS specialized urban training facility, delivering comprehensive healthcare to a population of 13,800 while providing medical students with essential urban public health exposure. The centre offers a complete spectrum of urban health services, from primary care and preventive screenings to chronic disease management and health promotion activities.

Operating through a network of 29 Anganwadi centres, UHTC Haddo maintains active collaborations with local schools, NGOs, and community organizations to address the distinct health challenges of urban populations. The centre's health awareness programs and community events serve dual purposes: providing residents with vital health information and preventive strategies, while offering medical students practical experience in urban community engagement.

Community Health Center (CHC), Bambooflat

Community Health Centre, Bambooflat is a secondary-level healthcare facility under the aegis of Department of Community Medicine, providing comprehensive medical services to a population of 17,243. The centre supervises four Health and Wellness Centres - Tsunami Pahad, Shore Point, Hope Town, and Stewart Gunj - while providing technical guidance to 28 Anganwadi centres in its operational area.The centre delivers essential healthcare through outpatient and inpatient services, diagnostic facilities, referral systems, and follow-up care. Its operational framework includes routine health camps, community outreach programs, and preventive healthcare initiatives that address local health priorities.As part of its academic integration, the centre facilitates community postings for medical students, offering them exposure to the organization and delivery of healthcare at the community level. This posting enables students to understand the functioning of a Community Health Centre and its role in the public health system, while observing common health conditions prevalent in the community.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Clinic

The NCD clinic plays a crucial role in managing chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through comprehensive care strategies. At the clinic, patients receive opportunistic screening for various NCDs, allowing for early detection and intervention. The clinic also provides personalized lifestyle modification advice aimed at mitigating risk factors and promoting healthier living. In addition to these preventive measures, the clinic offers thorough screening for complications associated with NCDs, ensuring that patients receive timely management and support for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. This holistic approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also fosters long-term well-being and disease management.

Community Awareness Activities

The Community Medicine Department regularly conducts community awareness activities, including health talks, role plays, screening camps, and informational campaigns. These activities are especially prominent on Health Days, when they focus on specific health issues through targeted sessions and events. Collaborating with the District Health Services (DHS) and local community networks, the department organizes outreach programs, health fairs, and preventive care initiatives to engage communities and address pressing health concerns.

Academic & Field Training

Community Medicine teaching encompasses a multifaceted approach to equip students with a thorough understanding of public health. The curriculum includes lectures that provide foundational knowledge on community health principles and practices. Small group discussions encourage interactive learning and critical thinking, while demonstrations offer practical insights. Clinico-social case work-ups allow students to analyze real-life cases, integrating clinical and social factors. Community visits and visit to institutions of public health importance, provide experiential learning and a broader perspective on health systems.

Dr. Ajay Raj Sethuraman

Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine

About

Dr. Ajay Raj S. is a medical academician and public health professional with 13 years of experience in medical education, teaching, research, academic administration, and institutional coordination. He is currently serving as Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS). He holds an MBBS degree from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and MD in Community Medicine from Annamalai University and his professional interests include community medicine, epidemiology, health education, research methodology, curriculum development, student mentoring, and public health research. Dr. Ajay Raj has contributed to several research projects and publications, with research interests spanning communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental health, tobacco use, breast cancer awareness and other public health concerns in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he has undertaken several institutional and administrative roles, including responsibilities related to academics, recruitment, procurement, public grievance redressal, accommodation, NMC-related matters, accreditation, and various public health programmes. His profile reflects a combination of academic leadership, research capability, administrative experience, and commitment to improving health and medical education in geographically challenging settings

Additional Roles & Responsibilities

  • Single Pont of Contact for NBEMS
  • Public Grievance Officer
  • Chairman, Campus Development Committee
  • Accommodation In-charge
  • Member, Conference Committee
  • Member, Advisory Committee, ANIIMS
  • Link for Procurement Officer
  • Nodal Officer, NMC

Membership of Academic Institutions

  • Life Member of Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine: L3980
  • Life Member of Indian Association of Indian Public Health Association: L/2015/A&N/7084
  • Life Member of Epidemiology Foundation of India: L.M. No. 00255

Publications

S. No. Publication Details Journal / Year
1 Raj SA, Sivakumar K, Sujatha K. Prevalence of dyslipidemia in South Indian adults: an urban-rural comparison. Int J Community Med Public Health, 2016
2 Sethuraman AR, Rao S, Charlette L, Thatkar PV, Vincent V. Smartphone addiction among medical college students in ANI. Int J Community Med Public Health, 2018
3 Rao S, Sethuraman AR*, Thatkar P. Comparative study of Smartphone Addiction among Arts and Medical College Students. Natl J Community Med, 2019
4 Stephen LC, Jahnavi G, Thatkar PV, Rao S, Gaur BPS, Sethuraman AR*. Vector Control Methods Adopted in A&N Islands. Natl J Community Med, 2018
5 Rao S, Sethuraman AR*, Thatkar PV. Multidrug resistant tuberculosis in the isles. Int J Advanced Community Med, 2019
6 Rao S, Raj SA, Ramanathan V, Sharma A, Dhar M, Thatkar PV, et al. Prevalence of dyslexia among school children in Mysore. Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2017
7 Rao S, Raj SA, Thatkar PV, Burma SP. Trends of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Sri Vijaya Puram. NJRCM, 2017
8 Sivakumar K, Raj SA, Sujatha K. Comparative interventional study on leucorrhea regimens. Int J Community Med Public Health, 2017
9 Jahnavi G, Rao S, Thatkar PV, Sethuraman AR, Julius LCS, Gaur BPS. Community Perception on Leprosy in the Islands. Natl J Community Med, 2019
10 Roy A, Rao S, Thatkar PV, Sethuraman AR. Hansen’s disease in the archipelago. Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2018
11 Shakthivel N, Amarnath AM, Ahamed F, Rath RS, Sethuraman AR. Stress and coping among 1st year medical students. Int J Med Public Health, 2017
12 Singh SS, Rao S, Thatkar PV, Raj AS. Scenario of malaria in A&N Islands. Int J Community Med Public Health, 2017
13 Singh R, Rao S, Charlette L, Thatkar PV, Rajaram N, Sethuraman AR. Correlates of stunting among children in Sri Vijaya Puram. Int J Community Med Public Health, 2018
14 Rao S, Sethuraman AR*, Thatkar PV. Incidence of dengue in the Islands. Int J Community Med Public Health, 2020
15 Sethuraman AR, Agrawal RK, et al. Tobacco use among adults in Sri Vijaya Puram. Indian J Prev Soc Med, 2021
16 Rao S, Budh N, Abdul Salam A, Mohammed C, Jain A, Sethuraman AR* et al. Training on Breast Self-Examination. Indian J Public Health Res Dev, 2021
17 Sethuraman AR, Boovaragaswamy C, Prabhakaran K, Ganansabai G, Kumar M. Electrical and Electronic waste management-Knowledge, attitude and practice among medical students from South India. Lat. Am. J. Pharm. 2023; 42(3). Lat Am J Pharm, 2023
18 Rao S, Jain A, Budh N, Sethuraman AR* et al. Knowledge and practice about breast cancer. GJMEDPH, 2022
19 Anand A, Sharma P, Sethuraman AR*. Awareness and Practices Regarding Leptospirosis in ANI. Cureus, DOI:10.7759/cureus
20 Anand A, Sharma P, Sethuraman AR, Begum S, Anand V. Awareness and Practices Regarding Leptospirosis in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Union Territory of India. Cureus. 15(8):e44305. Cureus,2024
21 Sridhar Y, Anand A, Sethuraman A, Hossain S. Understanding antimicrobial self-medication practices in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. Cureus. 2025 Mar 12;17(3):e80473. doi:10.7759/cureus.80473 Cureus,2025
22 Anand A, Hossain S, Sethuraman AR, Tomar A, Yashika D. The Association of Body Mass Index With Dietary Habits, Screen Time, and Physical Activity Among School Children in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Cureus. 2025 Sep 18;17(9):e92599 Cureus,2025

Dr Samar Hossain

Associate Professor

About

Dr. Samar Hossain is an Associate Professor at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), with over 13 years of experience spanning clinical medicine, epidemiology, medical education, public health, and healthcare administration. She holds an MBBS from UCMS, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, an MD from the National Institute of Medical Science University, India, an MBA in Hospital Administration from the Academy of Hospital Administration, and a PG Diploma in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine from the University of South Wales, UK. At ANIIMS, she currently serves as PG Incharge and has held key responsibilities including Nodal Officer for the One Health Program at the Andaman & Nicobar site and Nodal Officer for the ART Centre for HIV/AIDS care. She has also served as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on multiple national research grants. Her professional and research interests include epidemiology, biostatistics, healthcare policy, medical education, and community-focused health research, with research work addressing HIV-related stigma and discrimination, mental health, childhood malnutrition, and psychological resilience following the tsunami. Through her multidisciplinary experience in clinical care, academic medicine, research, and healthcare administration, Dr. Hossain contributes to strengthening healthcare delivery, advancing medical education, and addressing complex public-health challenges.

Achievements

  • Guinness World Record (2020)
  • Eminent Medical & Health Education Teacher Award, Delhi (2022)
  • 100 Inspirational Women Index — Indian Star Community Award (2022)
  • 44 peer-reviewed publications
  • 12 research projects funded by NACO, ICMR, NIMHANS, and RMRC

Publications

S. No. Publication Details Journal / Year
1Mathur SM, Kumar B, Hossain S, Rekha M. An epidemiological study of nutritional status of rural children in Jaipur district, Rajasthan.Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2016;5(1):105–109.
2Samdarshi N, Kumar B, Singh S, Hossain S. A cross-sectional study on breastfeeding practices among infants aged up to six months in a rural population of Jaipur, Rajasthan.Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2016;5(1):120–124.
3Mathur SM, Hossain S, Rekha M, et al. Prevalence of low birth weight children in a rural area of Jaipur district of Rajasthan.Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2016;5(2):265–268.
4Hossain S, Singh S, Samdarshi N, Khatri V. Prevalence of obesity and overweight among adolescent school children in Jaipur, India.Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2016;5(5):945–949.
5Hossain S, Hossain Q, Singh S, Samdarshi N. Perceived stress and self-reported morbidity among call handlers working in call centers in Gurgaon, Haryana.Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2016;5(5):930–934.
6Hossain S, Sharma P, Hossain T, Mathur SM. Relationship of weight pattern with socioeconomic status among adolescent school-going children in an Indian metropolitan city.Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2017;6(5):823–827.
7Khatri V, Sharma P, Hossain S, Sen V. Disability level of daily activity among geriatric population living in a rural area of an Indian city.Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2017;6(6):1045–1049.
8Yadav S, Jhakar A, Hossain S, Sen V. Characteristics of street children in Jaipur city, Rajasthan: a cross-sectional study.Int J Med Sci Public Health, 2017;6(8):1322–1326.
9Jhakar A, Sharma P, Hossain S, Yadav S, Sen V. Study of substance abuse by street children in Jaipur city, Rajasthan.J Pharm Pract Community Med, 2017;3(3):176–179.
10Hossain S, Sharma P, Sen V. Knowledge and practice regarding menstrual hygiene among rural adolescent school-going girls in an Indian cosmopolitan city.J Pharm Pract Community Med, 2017;3(3):185–187.
11Hossain S, Sen V. Sociocultural taboos and restrictions during menstruation followed by school-going adolescent girls in a semi-urban area of Jaipur, Rajasthan.J Pharm Pract Community Med, 2017;3(4):285–287.
12Hossain S, Gulia M. Burden of menstrual problems and factors affecting adolescent school-going girls in Jaipur.Int J Community Med Public Health, 2017;4(11):4122–4126.
13Hossain S, Singh P, Sen V. Awareness and practices of menstruation among unmarried female adolescents in a semi-urban area of Jaipur, Rajasthan.Int J Community Med Public Health, 2018;5(1):236–240.
14Budh N, Hossain S, Garg S. Zika virus: an emerging threat.Int J Community Med Public Health, 2019;6(1):25–27.
15Garg S, Hossain S. Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA): launch of a milestone.Indian J Public Health, 2019;63(2):162–164.
16Garg S, Hossain S. Health and social implications of gender-based violence.Indian J Public Health, 2019;63(3):243–245.
17Garg S, Hossain S. Launch of the malaria vaccine.Indian J Med Res, 2019;149(5):567–569.
18Garg S, Hossain S. Curbing air pollution in India.Indian J Community Med, 2019;44(2):103–105.
19Hossain S. Cancer – I am and I will.Indian J Med Ethics, 2019;4(2):150–151.
20Garg S, Hossain S. Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN): assuring respectful maternity care.Indian J Community Med, 2020;45(1):6–8.
21Hossain S. COVID-19: an emerging pandemic.Indian J Public Health, 2020;64(Suppl):S11–S13.
22Singh N, Hossain S, Bage RN, Chauhan H, Singh SK. Testing strategies and key measures in surveillance and response against COVID-19 in selected Indian states.Glob J Res Anal, 2022;11(2):58–62.
23Basu S, Garg S, Hossain S, Gupta D, Duggal K. Readiness of frontline health workers in enhancing diabetes and hypertension self-management education and practice in Delhi.Int J Noncommunicable Dis, 2022;7(1):42–45.
24Basu S, Rajeev A, Anand A, Hossain S, Singh MM. Calorie- and protein-deficient diets despite adequate dietary diversity among pregnant women in a low-income urban area of Delhi.Indian J Community Med, 2022;47(4):609–612.
25Anand A, Shah U, Hossain S. Variants of the COVID virus before the onset of Omicron.Indian J Forensic Community Med, 2022;9(4):197–200.
26Sharma AD, Hossain S, Garg S, Anand A. A new variant of COVID-19: but is it less deadly?Indian J Community Health, 2022;34(1):91–94.
27Singh DN, Hossain DS, Anand DA. An extensive study on monkeypox: an emerging global crisis.Int J Health Sci Res, 2022;12(7):214–219.
28Hossain S, Sharma AD, Garg S, Anand A. How to protect the children from the third wave of COVID-19.J Community Health Manag, 2023;9(1):3–7.
29Hossain SR, Budh N, Arora P. Perception of WhatsApp-based learning among medical students in Delhi, India.J Med Acad, 2023;5(1-2):3–5.
30Arora P, Budh N, Hossain SR. First-year medical undergraduate students’ perceptions and experiences regarding family adoption program: challenges and lessons.J Med Acad, 2023;6(2):49–52.
31Hossain S, Goswami S, Arora H, Mishra A, Arora E. Assessment of knowledge, perception and intent among health professional students on breastfeeding: a cross-sectional study.Indian J Forensic Community Med, 2023;10(4):166–169.
32Mishra A, Hossain S, Goswami S, et al. Assessment of knowledge, perception and intent among health professional students on breastfeeding: a cross-sectional study.Indian J Community Med, 2024;49(1):112–116.
33Mahajan P, Anand A, Hossain S, Vishwakarma M. Exploring patient satisfaction and determinants in outpatient services: a cross-sectional study.Cureus, 2025;17(1):e56432.
34Anand A, Mandal I, Hossain S. BG Prasad scale 2025: an updated framework for socioeconomic assessment in India.Health, 2025;3(4):5–8.
35Mandal I, Hossain S. Modified Kuppuswamy scale updated for the year 2025.Int J Community Med Public Health, 2025;12(5):2423–2427.
36Sridhar Y, Anand A, Sethuraman A, Hossain S. Antimicrobial self-medication practices in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.J Family Med Prim Care, 2025;14(2):615–620.
37Hossain S, Borle AL, Mandal I, Baghel S, et al. Energy drink consumption practices among medical students in New Delhi.J Educ Health Promot, 2025;14:112.
38Hossain S, Anand A, Raj A, Begum S, Kassim S. Healthcare access and rehabilitation challenges two decades after the tsunami: a qualitative study from South Andaman, India.BMC Public Health, 2025;25:418.
39Saha M, Anand A, Hossain S, Raj A. Dietary Imbalance and Nutritional Gaps Among Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in South Andaman: A Cross-Sectional Study.Ann Med Med Sci, 2026;5:608–615.
40Hossain S, Anand A, Sethuraman AR, Mandal I, Kassim S. Long-term psychological impact and post-tsunami resilience factors among the residents of South Andaman, India: a qualitative study.Prev Med Res Rev, 2026;3. doi:10.4103/PMRR.PMRR_197_25.
41Sukumaran GP, Anand A, Hossain S, Sethuraman AR. Diagnosis Does Not Differentiate Adherence: Sociodemographic Factors Take Precedence as the Primary Determinants of Medication Adherence in Diabetes, Hypertension and Comorbidity in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India.Ann Med Med Sci, 2026;5:372–378.
42Anand A, Hossain S, Sethuraman AR, Sukumaran GP. Association between dietary profile and socio demographic characteristics among adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension in South Andaman.Glob J Med Public Health, 2026;15(2):1–14.
43Anand A, Saha M, Hossain S, Raj A. Effectiveness of Health Education Intervention on Knowledge and Home Management Practices Regarding Childhood Diarrhoea Among Primary Caregivers of Under-Five Children in South Andaman: A Community-Based Interventional Study.Ann Med Med Sci, 2026;5(9):2062–2070.

Dr Amrita Burma

Assistant Professor

About

Dr Amrita Burma is a highly qualified medical professional with a solid foundation in Community Medicine. She completed her MBBS from HMCH, Utkal University, Odisha and MD in Community Medicine from Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Odisha. Throughout her academic journey, she has earned several prestigious honours, including an Honour in Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, and the Vice Chancellor’s Silver Medal for securing the highest percentage of marks in the MD/MS programme for the year 2020.

With over three years of experience as an Assistant Professor, she has developed a robust expertise in teaching, mentoring, and academic contributions, making her a well-rounded professional in the field.

Achievements

  • Best Poster Presentation award among MD trainees at the IAPSMCON Odisha State Branch in 2018.
  • Honoured to be invited as a judge for the National Conference of the Indian Association of Preventive Medicine (IAPSMCON) 2024, where she adjudicated a session on Mental Health at the TMA Pai Convention Centre, Mangalore, from February 8-10, 2024.

Publications

S. No. Publication Details Journal / Year
1Burma A, Kumar D, Mandal AK. Seroprevalence of COVID-19 Antibody among Health Care Workers in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.Rec Adv Path Lab Med, 2020
2Kumar D, Burma A, Mandal AK. A seroprevalence study of COVID-19 antibody after 1st wave in South Andaman.Clin Epidemiol & Global Health, 2021
3Kumar D, Burma A, Mandal AK, Joshy V. Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 IgG Antibody level in symptomatic vs asymptomatic population.Cureus, 2022
4Kumar D, Burma A, Peter S, Ansari MA, Patankar A. Diabetes self-management practice & glycemic control among T2DM patients.J Family Med Prim Care, 2024
5Kar S, Samantaray PC, Thakur B, Das BC, Burma A. Domestic violence in women of reproductive age group in rural Odisha.Women’s Health & Complications, 2018
6Kar S, Singh AP, Samantaray PC, Patro S, Thakur B, Esther A, Burma A, Das BC. Safety and tolerability of tetanus vaccine in healthy adults.J Evid Based Med Healthc, 2019
7Mishra A, Mohapatra I, Burma A, Sarkar B. Attitudinal change toward yoga in medical curriculum.D Y Patil J Health Sci, 2022
8Choudhury S, Dubey S, Zumu M, Mustafa PP, Burma A, Kumar S. Platelet parameters in predicting COVID-19 severity.Cureus, 2024
97. Burma A, Panigrahi OP, Panigrahi A, Kumar D, Patankar A. A cross sectional study regarding the self medication practices and its associated factors among residents of Bhubaneswar city, Odisha. Clin Epidemiol Glob Health [Internet]. 2025;33(102013):102013. Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2025.102013 Cureus, 2025

Dr Aanchal Anand

Assistant Professor

About

Dr. Aanchal Anand is presently engaged as Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences. A distinguished alumna of Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, she holds both an MBBS and an MD in Community Medicine from this prestigious institution along with DNB degree in same discipline. With profound expertise in Epidemiology, Nutrition and Environment, Dr. Anand is well-versed in healthcare data analytics and orchestration of comprehensive research studies. Her scholarly contributions include numerous publications in prominent indexed national and international journals, complemented by active participation in over 20 conferences. An adept in biostatistics, she possesses a stellar record in project management and interdisciplinary collaborations. Beyond academia, Dr. Anand is a passionate advocate for public health, spearheading NGO-driven educational and healthcare initiatives. Additionally, she moderates a global Community Medicine forum with nearly 10,000 members. Her technical acumen spans SPSS, EpiCollect, MS Office, Mendeley and NVivo .

Achievements

  • Nodal Officer for drafting the State Action Plan for "National Climate Change and Human Health'' Programme for the UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
  • Successfully organized Multi-disciplinary Health camps for the Agriculture and Fisheries communities of Sri Vijaya Puram addressing the specific health needs of more than 600 beneficiaries.
  • District Nodal Officer for Sub-National Certification Survey for TB elimination across South Andaman and Nicobar district.
  • Organized GB Pant Hospital’s first AV Fistula Camp.
  • Member of the Health and Nutrition Survey Team for the Jarawa Tribe, one of the six indigenous tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for their Nutritional Assessment.
  • Assigned as the Nodal Officer from Health Sector for drafting data, presentation and address queries related to Tribal Health in Andaman & Nicobar Islands with a focus on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) during the Parliamentary Committee visit to Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
  • Drafted question papers for various professional exams
  • Reviewer for NCERT chapters on crucial health topics including Vaccination, Breast Cancer, Snake Bites, Balanced Diet and Family Planning.
  • Authored book chapter on “Formulation of Parental Support Group for DSD” published by Springer Nature in the book Children with Differences in Sex Development.
  • Drafted the Annual report of ANIIMS for the year 2022-2023.
  • Drafted the Mentor- Mentee Logbook for Student Mentorship Program in ANIIMS
  • Member of the Institutional Scientific Research Committee (ISRC), ANIIMS
  • Member of the Student Mentorship Committee, ANIIMS

Publications

S. No. Publication Details Journal / Year
1 Mahajan P, Anand A, Hossain S, Vishwakarma M. Exploring Patient Satisfaction and Determinants in Outpatient Services: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus, 2025
2 Anand A, Mandal I, Hossain S. BG Prasad Scale 2025: An Updated Framework for Socioeconomic Assessment in India. Health, 2025
3 Hossain S, Anand A, Raj A, Begum S, Kassim S. Healthcare Access and Rehabilitation Challenges Two Decades Post-Tsunami: A Qualitative Study from South Andaman, India. Submitted
4 Anand A, Sharma P. Prevalence and Determinants of Malnutrition Among Adolescents in Delhi: A Rural-Urban Comparison Study. Cureus, 2023
5 Anand A, Hossain S, Sethuraman AR, Tomar A, Yashika D. The Association of Body Mass Index With Dietary Habits, Screen Time, and Physical Activity Among School Children in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Cureus, 2025
6 Yashwant S, Aanchal A, Ajay S, Samar H. Understanding Antimicrobial Self-Medication Practices in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. Cureus, 2025
7 Anand A, Sharma P, Sethuraman AR, Begum S, Anand V. Awareness and Practices Regarding Leptospirosis in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Union Territory of India. Cureus, 2023
8 Sravani T, Palaniappan P, Shaju V, Anand A. The Prevalence and Pattern of Congenital Anomalies Among Neonates Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Retrospective Study. Cureus, 2023
9 Basu S, Rajeev A, Anand A, Hossain S, Singh MM. Calorie- and Protein-Deficient Diets Despite Adequate Dietary Diversity Among Pregnant Women in a Low-Income Urban Area in Delhi, India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 2022
10 Anand A, Luthra M, Ratan R. Formulation of Parent Support Group for DSD. Springer Nature, 2024
11 Anand A, Shah U, Hossain S. Variants of the COVID Virus Before the Onset of Omicron. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 2022
12 Hossain S, Sharma AD, Garg S, Anand A. How to Protect the Children from the Third Wave of COVID. Journal of Community Health Management, 2023
13 Hossain S, Anand A, Sukumaran GP, Raj A. A Comparative Analysis of Nomophobia and Social Media Addiction Among Medical and Non-Medical Undergraduates in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2025

Dr. Ezhilarasan Selvaraju

Assistant Professor

About

Dr. Ezhilarasan Selvaraju is a public health physician, epidemiologist, and medical educator with over a decade of experience in clinical medicine, epidemiology, and implementation research. He completed his MBBS from Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, followed by an MD in Community Medicine from SHKM Government Medical College, Haryana, and a Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in Community Medicine, for which he was awarded the Gold Medal. Prior to joining ANIIMS, he served as Zonal Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases with the World Health Organization (WHO), leading initiatives on lymphatic filariasis, leprosy, and other vector-borne disease elimination programmes, and later worked as Consultant Epidemiologist at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), contributing to disease surveillance and the national COVID-19 response. He has extensive academic experience teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical students across several medical colleges in India. His research interests encompass epidemiology, implementation research, infectious disease control, neglected tropical diseases, vector-borne diseases, operational research, health systems strengthening, and public health policy. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in PubMed- and Scopus-indexed journals and actively mentors undergraduate and postgraduate research.

Achievements

  • Gold Medal in Diplomate of National Board (DNB), Community Medicine.
  • More than 10 years of experience in public health, medical education, epidemiology, and implementation research.
  • Successfully conducted the Research Methodology Workshop 2026 for MD/MS/DNB postgraduate residents.
  • Nodal Officer, Red Ribbon Club, coordinating youth-focused HIV/AIDS awareness and health promotion activities.
  • Organized a Marathon as part of community health promotion and awareness activities in 2026.
  • Organized a Short Film Competition on International Youth Day, promoting youth engagement and health awareness.
  • Nodal Officer, National One Health Programme – Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases.
  • Nodal Officer, Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU).
  • Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI), ICMR research proposal moved to the next stage: HOPE Study (Home-based Outreach for Palliative Care Model Evaluation) during tenure at the previous institute.
  • Successfully secured two ICMR Short-Term Studentship (STS) research projects during tenure at the previous institute, demonstrating experience in undergraduate research mentorship, project development, and implementation.
  • Former Zonal Coordinator, World Health Organization (WHO), Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme.
  • Former Consultant Epidemiologist, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Government of India.
  • Extensive experience in implementation research and monitoring of National Health Programmes, including Malaria, Lymphatic Filariasis, Leprosy, and Integrated Disease Surveillance.
  • Trained more than 2,000 healthcare professionals through capacity-building programmes under WHO-supported initiatives.
  • Experience in research methodology training, postgraduate research mentorship, community-based research, programme evaluation, and public health programme implementation.

Publications

S. No. Publication Details Journal / Year
1 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan, Goel PK, Kumar A, Gour N, Singh A. Insecticide treated bed net ownership and utilization in households of under-five children in malaria endemic areas in Nuh, Haryana. Global Journal of Research Analysis. 2022;11(6):107–110. Global Journal of Research Analysis , 2022
2 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan, Goel PK, Kumar A, Gour N. Capacity of ASHA in the prevention and control of malaria in a high-burden endemic block of rural Haryana, India. Health and Population: Perspectives and Issues. 2023;46(1):9–14. Health and Population: Perspectives and Issues , 2023
3 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan, Goel PK, Gour N, Kumar A. Implementation fidelity of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in malaria case management in a high-burden district of North India. Cureus. 2025;17(11):e96103. Cureus, 2025
4 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan, Goel PK, Kumar A, Gour N. Malaria prevention knowledge and practices among mothers of under 5 children in rural Southern Haryana, India. Glob J Med Public Health. 2025;14(6):1–8. Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health , 2025
5 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan. Grade 2 disability in leprosy in the post-elimination era: a case report highlighting stigma and programmatic blind spots. Cureus. 2026;18(2):e104011. doi:10.7759/cureus.104011. Cureus, 2026
6 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan. The Persistent Gap in Mass Drug Administration Uptake Among Known Microfilaria-Positive Individuals in India's Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program: A Call for Strengthened Follow-Up Strategies. Cureus. 2026;18(3):e104607. doi:10.7759/cureus.104607. Cureus, 2026
7 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan. From Elimination to Inclusion: Re-imagining Leprosy Research Through Participatory Action Research in India. Indian J Lepr. 2026;98(2):207–209. Indian Journal of Leprosy / 2026 Indian Journal of Leprosy , 2026
8 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan. Child index cases of leprosy: clarifying the pathway for contact investigation. Lepr Rev. 2026;97(2):e2026023. doi:10.47276/lr.97.2.2026023. Leprosy Review , 2026
9 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan, Goel PK, Gour N, Kumar A. Acceptance and determinants of indoor residual spraying among households with under-five children in a malaria-endemic district of Haryana, India. Indian J Forensic Community Med. 2026;13(2):287–292. Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine , 2026
10 Selvaraju Ezhilarasan. The rise of food delivery apps among medical college students in India: Stress, dietary behavior, and public health policy implications. Int J Noncommun Dis. 2026;11(2):192–193. doi:10.4103/jncd.jncd_56_26. International Journal of Noncommunicable Diseases, 2026

Dr. Amol Ramkrushna Patil

Statistician-cum-Assistant Professor

About

Dr. Amol Ramkrushna Patil is a Statistician-cum-Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Sri Vijaya Puram. He earned his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Statistics and has established expertise in biostatistics, medical research, and research methodology. With more than six years of experience in medical research, biostatistics, and teaching, Dr. Patil has extensive expertise in statistical analysis, clinical research methodology, epidemiology, machine learning applications in healthcare, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis. He has provided statistical consultation and research support for numerous postgraduate dissertations, faculty research projects, and hospital-based clinical studies across multiple medical specialties. Dr Patil has published 18 research articles in indexed national and international journals, including original research, systematic reviews, and machine-learning-based studies on cardiovascular diseases, sepsis, public health, and medical education. His research interests include biostatistics, clinical trials, predictive modelling using machine learning, epidemiology, research methodology, evidence synthesis, and public health analytics. He has actively contributed to multidisciplinary research as a Co-Investigator in an IIT Bhilai-funded clinical trial on transdermal iron supplementation. He is proficient in R programming, statistical modelling, clinical trial randomisation, data management, and advanced statistical techniques for biomedical research.

Achievements

  • Published an Indian Patent titled “SHREE MATA: A Nanoparticle-Loaded Transdermal Bindi Patch for Sustained Iron Supplementation in Women,” introducing an innovative transdermal drug delivery system for sustained iron supplementation in women.
  • Co-holder of the Government of India Copyright for “Bridging Tradition and Science: A Cooling Patch with Ayurvedic Botanicals for Hot Flash Relief in Menopausal Women,” integrating traditional herbal medicine with modern transdermal therapeutic technology.
  • Co-author of the Government of India Copyright for “AI Model for Diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anaemia,” an artificial intelligence-based diagnostic tool for the early detection of iron deficiency anaemia.
  • Co-Investigator in an IIT Bhilai (PRAYAS)-funded clinical trial on the development and clinical evaluation of transdermal iron supplementation in women.
  • Published 18 research articles in indexed national and international journals, with research contributions in biostatistics, machine learning in healthcare, cardiovascular diseases, sepsis, medical education, epidemiology, and public health.
  • Invited Speaker at the State-level Conference SSIMSCON-2023, where he delivered a lecture on Biostatistics and Research Methodology for medical students and healthcare professionals.
  •  Qualified the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)-2019 in Statistics.

Publications

S. No. Publication Details Journal / Year
1 Shinkar S, Junaid M, Patil S, Patil AR, Sope K. Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Vital Statistics: An Investigation of the Difficulty of Courses Undertaken by Medical Students in Raipur, India. Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2021
2 Junaid M, Shinkar S, Patil A. Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards COVID-19 Among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Durg District of Chhattisgarh. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2021
3 Dixit R, Gupta VK, Yadav R, Prajapati R, Patil A. Assessment of Factors Causing Stress Among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 2022
4 Agrawal A, Anand AK, Chacko BS, Chandrakar CK, Dixit R, Patil AR, Nair B. A Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Related to Hand Hygiene Among First Year Students of Nursing and Pharmaceutical College in Central India: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Advanced Research, 2022
5 Patil AR, Bharate PB, Junaid M. Machine Learning-Based Severity and Prognostic Prediction in Myocardial Infarction Patients. Stochastic Modelling and Computational Sciences, 2022
6 Aftab A, Thakur D, Jha HK, Alam K, Patil A. Perceptions of Dental Students Towards Online Teaching During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Journal of Dental Sciences, 2023
7 Dewangan KK, Junaid M, Dixit R, Kamble N, Patil AR. Association of Modifiable Risk Factors Among Stroke Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital at Durg District of Chhattisgarh: A Case-Control Study. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2023
8 Patil AR, Bharate PB, Junaid M. Machine Learning Based Myocardial Infarction Risk Stratification as a Diagnostic Aid for Remote Areas with Limited Medical Resources. Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research, 2023
9 Patil AR, Bharate PB, Junaid M. Enhancing Myocardial Infarction Diagnosis with Efficient Machine Learning Techniques Through Combination of Correlation and Variance Threshold Feature Selection. International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research, 2023
10 Sharma D, Manaswini DB, Singh N, James SS, Dixit R, Patil AR. A Study of Burnout Among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Global Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2023
11 Chandravanshi A, Choudhary A, Dixit R, Patil AR. Effect of Dietary Habits on Academic Performance of Medical Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research, 2024
12 Tripathi A, Varshney A, Mishra N, Singh NR, Dixit R, Patil AR. "Early Clinical Exposure: Boon or Bane" Perception of Medical Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research, 2024
13 Shinde G, Salphale Y, Saodekar H, Kothari P, Patil AR, Rai Y. Enhancing Psychomotor Skills in Medical Interns: An Evaluation of Training Methods. Progress in Orthopedic Science, 2025
14 Mendiratta S, Goswami SP, Patel H, Dixit R, Patil A. Beyond the Scrubs: Threats and Challenges Faced by Modern Nursing Professionals. SEEJPH (South Eastern European Journal of Public Health), 2025
15 Sarva J, Gupta K, Aggarwal K, Dixit R, Patil AR. Engineering Dreams, Enduring Stress: The Heavy Toll of Stress on Engineering Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Pharmacy Research & Technology, 2025
16 Jain K, Bharate PB, Patil A, Bagul D. Clinical Profile and Determinants of In-Hospital Mortality among Sepsis Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Center in India. International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research, 2026
17 Jain K, Bharate PB, Patil A, Wadde S, Kinge A, Bagul D. Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality in Sepsis Using Advanced Predictive Models: Comparison with Traditional Severity Scores. International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology, 2026
18 Patil, A. R., Gosavi, S. V., Gandhi, A. P., Goyal, C., & Deshmukh, K. (2026). A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Salt and Sodium Intake in India. Indian Journal of Public Health https://doi.org/10.4103/ijph.ijph_306_25 Indian Journal of Public Health, 2026

Dr. Mitul Saha

Senior Resident

About

Dr.Mitul Saha is a dedicated healthcare professional with an MBBS from Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal, and an MD in Community Medicine from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Wardha. With expertise in public health, epidemiology, and preventive medicine, she is passionate about promoting health and wellness in communities, currently working as a Senior in Community Medicine. With a strong academic background, she has also shared her knowledge with the next generation of healthcare professionals, having 9 months of teaching experience in a medical college. She is actively involved in multiple projects and has published several papers in international journals, showcasing her research prowess.She has also presented papers and posters at national and international conferences, disseminating valuable insights and learnings. Her community engagement efforts include conducting training programs for ANMs and CHOs on Anemia Mukt Bharat and Adolescent Health, empowering healthcare workers to drive positive change. She has also completed her District Residency Program at SEARCH, Gadchiroli, a renowned institute dedicated to improving healthcare in rural areas, where she worked tirelessly for the upliftment of tribal health in the backward district of Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, making a tangible impact on the lives of marginalized communities.

Publications

S. No. Publication Details Journal / Year
1 Saha M, Choudhari SG, Chakole S, Ahmed S. Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar: The Journey of the Jarawa Doctor. Cureus. 2024 Jul 18;16(7):e64817. doi:10.7759/cureus.64817. PMID: 39156312; PMCID: PMC11330306. Cureus, 2024
2 Saha M, Muneshwar K N, Chakole S. Recovery From the Brink: A Case Report of a 37-Day-Old Severely Malnourished Infant Treated at a Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre. Cureus. 2024 Jul 11;16(7):e64300. doi:10.7759/cureus.64300. Cureus, 2024
3 Saha M, Choudhari S G. Revolutionizing Rehabilitation: The Legacy of Dr. Pramod Karan Sethi and the Jaipur Foot. Cureus. 2024 Sep 15;16(9):e69493. DOI:10.7759/cureus.69493. Cureus, 2024
4 Saha M, Choudhari SG, Chakole S, Ahmed S. The Legacy of Shanti Teresa Lakra and Its Impact on Public Health in the Andaman Islands. Cureus. 2024 Aug 18;16(8):e67159. doi:10.7759/cureus.67159. PMID: 39295691; PMCID: PMC11410454. Cureus, 2024
5 Saha M, Anand A, Hossain S, Raj A. Dietary imbalance and nutritional gaps among dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients in South Andaman: a cross-sectional study. Ann Med Med Sci, 2026;5:608–615.
6 Anand A, Saha M, Hossain S, Raj A. Effectiveness of health education intervention on knowledge and home management practices regarding childhood diarrhoea among primary caregivers of under-five children in South Andaman: a community-based interventional study. Ann Med Med Sci, 2026;5(9):2062–2070.

Ongoing Projects – Department of Community Medicine

Funded Projects

Sl. No. Project Title Faculty Involved Funding Agency Status
1 NACO Grant Project: Stigma & Discrimination against PLHIV and Key Populations in Andaman & Nicobar Islands Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain NACO Completed
2 National Mental Health Survey Phase-II for all 3 districts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		NIMHANS Ongoing
3 Testing gap in 1st 95 among selected population in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Mixed Method Study Dr. Ajay Raj NACO Completed
4 Acceleration of efforts for mitigation of persistent Undernutrition and Anaemia among Under-five year children in the North and Middle Andamans PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Completed
5 Awareness And Impact of Health Education on Breast Cancer and Self-Breast Examination PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		ICMR Ongoing
6 Effectiveness Of Nutritional Education Intervention for Improving the Non-Communicable Disease Profile Among Residents of South Andaman PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Gayathri P S 		ICMR Completed
7 Social Determinants of Perception and Stigma related to Tuberculosis among the Residents of selected high incidence areas of South Andaman – A Mixed Methods Study PI: Dr. Amrita Burma
Co-PI: Dr. Mukesh Tripathi, Dr. Mitul Saha 		ICMR Ongoing
8 Lived Experiences of Tuberculosis Patients and Mental Health Implications for Early Case Identification and Treatment Adherence in Island Settings: A Qualitative Study in Andaman & Nicobar Islands PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Ongoing
9 Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients’ Lived Experiences and Mental Health–Related Treatment Adherence Challenges in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: A Qualitative Study PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Ongoing
10 Access to Mental Health Care in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Pathways to Care, Delays, and Missed Opportunities — A Qualitative Study PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Ongoing
11 Local Concepts of Mental Health, Help-Seeking Behaviour and Access to Mental Health Care among Indigenous Tribal Communities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: A Qualitative Study PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Ongoing
12 Health Seeking Behavior of Prison Inmates in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: A Qualitative Study PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Ongoing
13 Substance Use, Mental Distress and Access to Care among Indigenous Tribal Communities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Ongoing
14 Mental Health, Loneliness and Dignity among Institutionalized Elderly in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Lived Experiences and Caregiver Perspectives PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Ongoing
15 Post-COVID Mental Health among the Nicobarese in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: A Qualitative Study on Long-Term Anxiety, Sleep Problems and Help-Seeking Pathways PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S
Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		MOHFW Ongoing
16 Reconstruction of the population genetic histories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow Ongoing
17 Gut microbiome composition across lifestyle gradients in tribal communities of Andaman and Nicobar Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow Ongoing
18 Social structure and social networks of hunter-gatherer groups from Andaman and Nicobar Islands Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Aanchal Anand Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow Ongoing
19 Occupational Health Hazards, Safety Practices and Morbidity Patterns Among Sawmill Workers of South Andaman: A Mixed Method Study Co-PI: Dr. Samar Hossain ICMR STS Ongoing

Non-Funded Projects

Sl. No. Project Title Faculty Involved Status
1 Prevalence and Determinants of Malnutrition Among Adolescents in Delhi: A Rural-Urban Comparison Study PI: Dr. Pragya Sharma
Co-PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand 		Completed
2 Awareness and Practices Regarding Leptospirosis in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Union Territory of India PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Pragya Sharma, Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Saba Begum, Dr. Vanni Anand Completed
3 Assessment of Patient’s Satisfaction Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: A Cross-Sectional Approach PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain Completed
4 Community Insights Into Antibiotic Use – Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among Residents of South Andaman PI: Dr. Amrita Burma
Co-PI: Dr. Gayathri P S 		Completed
5 A Facility-Based Study to Assess Etiological Risk Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients Admitted for Dialysis in South Andaman PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Mitul Saha, Dr. Bhavaniprasad S M 		Completed
6 A Qualitative Study on Perspective of Mothers on Exclusive Breast Feeding in First 6 Months PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Gayathri P S 		Completed
7 Impact of Training on Prescription Writing Skills Among Doctors in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Co-I: Dr. Amrita Burma Completed
8 A Cross-Sectional Study on BMI and Lifestyle Among School Children in Andaman & Nicobar Islands PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain 		Completed
9 A Facility-Based Study on Treatment Adherence and Lifestyle Behaviours Among Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes in South Andaman PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Gayathri P S 		Completed
10 Comparative Analysis of Nomophobia and Social Media Addiction in Medical and Non-Medical Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sri Vijaya Puram PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Gayathri P S 		Completed
11 Social Determinants of Perception and Stigma Related to Tuberculosis Among the Residents of Selected Areas of South Andaman PI: Dr. Amrita Burma
Co-PI: Dr. Gayathri P S 		Completed
12 Long-Term Psychological Impact of the Tsunami and Resilience Factors Among General Population of A & N Islands: A Quantitative Study PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand 		Completed
13 Understanding Hand Hygiene Behaviour – A Community Based Assessment in Field Practice Area of Medical College PI: Dr. Amrita Burma Ongoing
14 Occupational Health Hazards Among Marine Dockyard Workers in Andaman & Nicobar Islands PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S Ongoing
15 Prescription Audit to Assess the Pattern and Errors at Tertiary Care Centre of Andaman and Nicobar Islands PI: Dr. Amrita Burma Ongoing
16 Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Individuals Attending Health Centres in South Andaman: A Cross-Sectional Study PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Gayathri P S 		Completed
17 Maternal Knowledge and Practices for Childhood Diarrhoea Management in a Culturally Diverse and Indigenous Mini-India Population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Samar Hossain, Dr. Mitul Saha, Dr. Bhavaniprasad S M 		Ongoing
18 Exploring Suicide Risk Factors and Coping Strategies Among Rural, Urban, and Professional Populations in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Qualitative Study PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Mitul Saha 		Ongoing
19 Qualitative Study of Substance Abuse Among Medical and Non-Medical Students in Sri Vijaya Puram PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj S, Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Mitul Saha 		Ongoing
20 A Mixed Method Study on Nutrition Label Literacy Among Adults in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj, Dr. Ezhilarasan, Dr. Samar Hossain 		Ongoing
21 Prevalence of Online Food Delivery App Usage and Its Influence on Body Mass Index, Dietary Habits, and Lifestyle Behaviors Among College Students in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands: A Cross-Sectional Study PI: Dr. Amrita Burma
Co-PI: Dr. Amol Ramkrushna Patil 		Ongoing
22 Exploring the Physical and Psychological Burdens of App-Based Delivery Personnel in Sri Vijaya Puram: A Qualitative Study PI: Dr. Ezhilarasan
Co-PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Ajay Raj, Dr. Samar Hossain 		Ongoing
23 Nocturnal Sports Viewing and Daytime Impairment: A National Cross-Sectional Study on FIFA World Cup 2026-Related Sleep Deprivation, Presenteeism and Academic Disruption in India PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Aanchal Anand, Dr. Ajay Raj, Dr. Sethuraman, Dr. Prerna Singh 		Completed
24 Associations Between Sleep Hours, Nightly Patterns, and Adverse Health Outcomes: Evidence for Public Health Intervention PI: Dr. Samar Hossain
Co-PI: Dr. Ajay Raj, Dr. Aanchal Anand 		Completed

Programs Offered

Community Medicine teaching adopts a multifaceted approach to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of public health. The curriculum includes lectures, small group discussions, demonstrations, and clinico-social case work-ups that integrate clinical and social perspectives.

Community visits and visits to institutions of public health importance provide experiential learning opportunities, allowing students to gain practical insights into health systems and community-based healthcare delivery.

In addition to undergraduate medical education, the department also functions as a Programme Study Centre under the IGNOU Regional Centre, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It currently offers the Bridge Programme Certificate in Community Health for Nurses and is actively working towards introducing additional academic programmes