Bhaikaka university hosts an interactive session with Padma Bhushan Dr. Nirmal Kumar Ganguly in collaboration with IRMA

On 23rd May, Verghese Kurien Centre of Excellence, IRMA organized an expert lecture and interactive session with Padma Bhushan Dr. Nirmal Kumar Ganguly at Pramukh Swami Medical College of Bhaikaka University.

 

The Talk Session titled ‘Role of Gut Microbiota and Probiotics in Health and Disease –Special Emphasis on COVID-19 and What is New?’ was opened by the Provost of the Bhaikaka University, Dr. Utpala Kharod. She stressed how the research aspect of medical education needs to be highlighted. Carrying that topic into his talk, Prof. Ganguly said how social science and behavioral science need to be integrated into the medical curriculum for a holistic approach to Public Health. Earlier we had a concept of a family physician, which was taking care of the integrated health of families and villages, but now in this era, most MBBS doctors aim at specialization and super-specialization and forget the concept of holistic health.

 

Prof. Ganguly talked about how microbiota imbalances in our bodies can increase the severity of COVID-19 and other diseases. During the COVID-19 crisis, a lot of stress was given to building individual and public immunity to battle the novel coronavirus. Prof. Ganguly elaborated that as we grow up, our immune system gets more determined by the microbiomes in our intestines. Our intestines host 500-1000 various types of macrobiotic species. These microbes not only help in digestion and metabolism but also conduct multiple protective and structural functions like producing lactic acid and developing the immune system. Immunity-compromising diseases like HIV and COVID-19, particularly attack and imbalance the delicate microflora in our bodies. That is why it is important to include probiotic foods like probiotic fermented milk and Yakult in our diets. The healthy bacteria consumed through such products keep our gut microbiota balanced towards the healthy side. He appreciated the pioneering work done at SMC College of Dairy Science, AAU, Anand in the area of probiotics.

 

The session was attended by the faculty and post-graduate students of PSMC apart from officers from AMUL, Vidya Dairy, Dairy Science College, and IRMA.