Department of Community Medicine

About:

The Department came into existence since 1947 as the Department of Hygiene and Public Health. Dr. Hem Chandra Baruah was the first teacher-in-charge of the Department. The growth of the Department in all dimension viz. teaching, research, services, and the culture of functioning with excellence was laid down by the WHO visiting Professor of Public Health from Sweden Dr. Alex J Hogjar. He worked as a consultant to improve Public Health teaching in AMC during 1953-54. Under his initiative family health visits and integrated teaching in infectious diseases were started. Professor Dr. D N Phukan later became the Head of the Department. The Rural Health Training Centre at Chabua situated at a distance of 30 Kms from Dibrugarh town, came into existence during his tenure. Professor Phukan was subsequently succeeded by Prof. Dr. N.M.I Rahman, Prof. Dr. F.U. Ahmed, Prof. Dr. Alak Baruah, Prof. Dr. Ratna Sarma, Prof. Dr. Rupali Baruah and Prof. Dr. Tulika Goswami Mahanta. At present, Prof. Dr. Gourangie Gogoi is the Head of the Department.

Present Status:

The Department has shifted to its present building in the year 2003. The MD course was started in September 1994 with the sanctioning of two numbers of seats for the course, subsequently the Post Graduate seats strength was increased to four numbers from 2010. In the year 2020, the Post Graduate seat strength increased to five in number. All the five seats are recognized by the NMC. Till date 2023, sixty one numbers of students completed Post Graduation from the Department.

The Department is also actively involved in providing health care services to the community through the Rural Health Training Centre at Chabua. ROME complex  Khowang and in the urban areas of Dibrugarh through the Urban Health Centre, and via satellite clinics situated at Baga Baba Mazhar, Desari Club and Subhashpally. There is an ongoing training programme for Lady Health Visitors and Health Assistants in the Rural Health Training Centre at Chabua. The staffs of the Department also attend to the public health emergencies and coordinate with the district health authorities from time to time. Field level monitoring and evaluation of different health and nutrition program in different district of Assam by all faculties as and when required. Public Health Emergency management by investigation of outbreak, giving recommendation and preparing protocol for managing any outbreak as and when required by faculties and interns. Recently, a Well baby Clinic was set up in the department premises with fully functioning immunization Centre to address the service delivery for children and pregnant women. Cold chain equipment for storage and distribution of routine immunization vaccines is maintained in the department.

Heads of the Department since inception :

1. Hem Chandra Baruah
2. D N Phukan
3. N. M. I Rahman
4. F. U. Ahmed
5. Alak Baruah, February, 2003 to 28^th Feb, 2012 and 1^st March, 2015 to 31^st January, 2016.
6. Ratna Sarma, 1^st March, 2012 to 28^th Feb, 2015 and 1^st February, 2016 to July, 2017
7. Rupali Baruah, 2017 to 2020
8. Tulika Goswami Mahanta, 2020 to 2023
9. Gourangie Gogoi (Present HOD), 2024 to till date

The first North East Zonal IAPSM Conference was organized by the department from 25th to 27th September, 2014. In addition, the department has successfully organized many workshops, CME, training programme and health camp from time to time focusing on public health issues relevant to the region.

Family Adoption Program was initiated for the UG student in 3 areas of Dibrugarh District – Hiloidhari Gaon, Barman Nagar and Padum Nagar

Workshop on Scientific manuscript writing was conducted on 11th and 12th January, 2024 in collaboration with Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit, AMCH.

The Department conducted a CME on Hypertension on 11th October, 2023 which was sponsored by National Academy of Medical Sciences, India (NAMS India).

Qualitative research methodology workshop was conducted on 12th, October 2023 facilitated by IAPSM, National Resource.

6th NEZCON of IAPSM was organized from 13th Oct to 15th Oct, 2023 attended by delegates and resource person from all over India.

Orientation cum Doctors training programme on IDSP/IHIP on 24th March, 2025 in collaboration with District Health Society, Dibrugarh.

100 days TB elimination campaign (7th December, 2024 to 17th March, 2025)- active screening was conducted in Central Jail, Dibrugarh, among the prison inmates. It was also followed with IGRA test to detect TB infection and all detected TB patients were given treatment.

21st Batch of Health Assistant training course started at RHTC, Chabua from 20th March, 2025

World Health Day 2025 was organized on 7th, April 2025. Our Institute participated in the IAPSM National Level Quiz.

Photo Gallery

 

Faculty :

SL. No.	Faculty Name	Designation	Qualification & Reg. No.	Email	Image
1	Dr. Gourangie Gogoi	Professor & Head	MBBS, MD
2	Dr. Tulika Goswami Mahanta	Professor	MBBS, MD
3	Dr. Sultana Jesmin Ahmed	Associate Professor	MBBS, MD
4	Dr. Pranjal Sonowal	Associate Professor	MBBS, MD
5	Dr. Nabanita Nirmolia	Associate Professor	MBBS, MD
6	Dr. Raj Kumar Dutta	Associate Professor	MBBS, MD
7	Dr. Manas Jyoti Kotoky	Associate Professor	MBBS, MD
8	Dr. Dakshadhwari Upadhyay	Associate Professor	MBBS, MD
9	Dr. Angchuman Chetia	Associate Professor	MBBS, MD
10	Dr. Ishan Phukan	Associate Professor	MBBS, MD
11	Dr. Farhana Shaheen Hussain, Demonstrator	Demonstrator	MBBS, MD
12	Dr. Hiranya Saikia	Lecturer (Non-Medical)	-

3. Non-Faculty/Non Teaching Staff :

4. Activities

Family Adoption program was initiated for the UG student in 3 areas of Dibrugarh District – Hiloidhari Gaon, Barman Nagar, Padum Nagar, Seujpur and Pothartoli

Workshop on Scientific manuscript writing was conducted on 11th and 12th January, 2024 in collaboration with Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit, AMCH.

The Department conducted a CME on Hypertension on 11th October, 2023 which was sponsored by National Academy of Medical Sciences, India (NAMS India).

Qualitative research methodology workshop was conducted on 12th, October 2023 facilitated by IAPSM, National Resource.

MoU with BCPL for the “Health cum Awareness camp with Flood relief distribution” for the flood affected areas.

MoU with OIL for the project titled “Bridging the gap: A collaborative initiative of Oil

India Limited with Community Medicine and Psychiatry Department AMCH,

Dibrugarh”

MoU signed with ECHO India and Dept. of Community Medicine regarding -

‘Capacity building of Health Care Workers of Dibrugarh District’ under which

capacity building sessions been conducted on regular basis.

MoU with Brahmaputra Radio as a Knowledge Partner for Community Awareness

Sessions on “TB mukt Bagisa – Kaha ki rokom”

5. Publications:

Dr Gourangie Gogoi

1. Bora K, Kalita B, Gogoi G. Adherence to infection control measures and the psychological effects of quarantine during COVID 19 pandemic in Dibrugarh district of Assam, India: a cross sectional study. J Clin Diagn Res Jun 2023; 17(6): VC14-VC19

2. Gogoi G, Dutta M, Choudhury G. Prevalence of antimicrobial resistant infection among patients attending Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh. Assam J Intern Med July-Sep 2021; 11(2): 24-29

3. Doungel N, Gogoi G, Kataki M. Uric acid level and its relationship with the dietary habits of people in greater Kamrup of Assam. Int J Health Res Medico Legal Prae January 2020; 6(1): 45-48

4. Gogoi G. The Chikungunya re-emergence. Assam J Intern Med July 2018; 8(2): 5-7

5. Paul D, Gogoi G, Baruah R. Assessment of availability of infrastructure, manpower, materials and knowledge of health care providers regarding child health care services in the sub centres of a block of Dibrugarh district, Assam. Int J Community Med Public Health May 2019; 6(5): 2264-2269

Dr. Tulika Goswami Mahanta

1. Mahanta TG, Saikia M, Baruah S, Ronghangpi P. Supportive supervision of Village health, sanitation and nutrition day during post pandemic period in Assam.Indian J Community Health. 2024;36(2):248-255.https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2024

2. Goswami Mahanta Tulika, Ranghanpi Padmashree, Baruah Manjit, Baruah Swarnali Devi. Determinants of severe acute malnutrition in under five children in Dibrugarh district of Assam.Indian J Comm Health.2023; 35(4):471-480

3. Mahanta Baidurjya, Mahanta Tulika Goswami, Boruah Manjit. Knowledge and practice pattern of ICDS supervisors following capacity building and remote supportive supervision. Indian J of public health.2022;66:300-6

4. Pathak Jyotismita, Goswami Mahanta Tulika, Arora Priya, Kalita Dibyajyoti, Kar Gurmeet. Malnutrition and household food security in children attending AWCs in a dist of NE India.Indian J of Community Medicine.2020.45(4):405-9

5. Tushar M Rane, Tulika Goswami Mahanta, Sridhar Sridhar Prahlad Ryavanki, Bivash Gogoi, Manjit Baruah. Home based newborn care (HBNC) voucher initiative in Assam.2020. Indian J of Public Health. 64(1):66

Dr. Sultana Jesmin Ahmed

1. Dimpymoni Saikia, Sultana J. Ahmed, Hiranya Saikia, Ratna Sarma. Overweight and obesity in early adolescents and its relation to dietary habit and physical activity: A study in Dibrugarh town. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health. 2016; 4(1):22-28

2. Gogoi J, Ahmed SJ, Saikia H, Sarma R. A study on knowledge, attitude, practice and prevalence of needle stick injuries among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital of Assam. Int J Community Med Public Health 2017;4:2031-5.

3. Phukan I, Baruah R, Ahmed SJ, Mahanta TG, Mahanta B, Hussain FS. Sociodemographic and environmental factors influencing acute respiratory infections among under-five children of chars (riverine islands) of Tinsukia District, Assam: A community-based cross-sectional study. Indian J Public Health. 2022 JulSep;66(3):344-347. doi: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1691_21. PMID: 36149119.

4. Saikia D, Ahmed SJ, Saikia H, Sarma R. Body mass index and body fat percentage in assessing obesity: An analytical study among the adolescents of Dibrugarh, Assam. Indian J Public Health. 2018 Oct-Dec;62(4):277-281

5. Deka H, Mahanta P, Ahmed SJ, Rajbangshi MC, Konwar R, Basumatari B. Risk Factors of Childhood Asthma Among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre in North-East India. J Asthma Allergy. 2022 Sep 14;15:1293-1303. doi: 10.2147/JAA.S374007. PMID: 36132976; PMCID: PMC9482963

Dr. Nabanita Nirmolia

1. Nabanita Nirmolia, Alak Barua. UNDERSTANDING FAMILY PLANNING PRACTICES AMONG RURAL TRIBALS OF DIBRUGARH DISTRICT. ASSAM. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences , February 2013

2. Dr Tulika Goswami Mahanta, Dr Ajay Trakroo, Mr Pranab Gogoi, Dr Pranabjyoti Bhuyan, Dr Nabanita Nirmolia, Dr Ranjan Baruah, Comparison of Integrated Management of Neonatal And Childhood Illness (IMNCI) Activities Amongst Frontline Workers of Health And ICDS Sectors In Dibrugarh District of Assam And Effect of Monitoring And Supervision - A Process Evaluation Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences/ Volume 1/ Issue 1/ Jan- March 2012.

3. Nabanita Nirmolia, Tulika G. Mahanta, Manjit Boruah, Reeta Rasaily, Rita P. Kotoky, Rituparna Bora, “Prevalence and risk factors of pneumonia in under five children living in slums of Dibrugarh town”. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 2017.

4. Nabanita Nirmolia, Tulika Goswami Mahanta, Pranab Gogoi. “Childhood Pneumonia: a Community Based Interventional Study in Slums of Dibrugarh, Assam” . Journal of Comprehensive Health. Volume 8, No 2 (2020)

5. Nirmolia N, Mahanta TG, Roy S. Effect of community-based intervention on childhood pneumonia and its risk factors in slums of Dibrugarh, Assam. Indian J Community Health [Internet]. 2024 Feb. 29 [cited 2024 Apr. 18];36(1):40-6. availablefrom: https://www.iapsmupuk.org/journal/index.php/IJCH/article/view/2654

Dr. Angchuman Chetia

1. Tobacco and risk of oral cancer: a case control study in a tertiary care centre of Dibrugarh district May 2020International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health

2. Phukan, I., Chetia, A. and Mahanta, B. (2022) ‘Smartphone addiction and associated risk factors amongst undergraduate medical students in a Medical College of Assam: A cross-sectional study’, International Journal of Community Medicine And Public Health, 9(5), p. 2085. doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20221027.

Dr. Ishan Phukan

1. Phukan I, Baruah R, Ahmed SJ, Mahanta TG, Mahanta B, Hussain FS. Sociodemographic and environmental factors influencing acute respiratory infections among under-five children of chars (riverine islands) of Tinsukia District, Assam: A community-based cross-sectional study. Indian J Public Health. 2022 Jul-Sep;66(3):344-347. doi: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1691_21. PMID: 36149119.

2. Phukan, I., Chetia, A. and Mahanta, B. (2022) ‘Smartphone addiction and associated risk factors amongst undergraduate medical students in a Medical College of Assam: A cross-sectional study’, International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 9(5), p. 2085. doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20221027.

3. Hanse Chinthong, K., Baruah, J. and Phukan, I. (2023) ‘Road traffic injuries and their associated risk factors in Dibrugarh district, assam: A cross-sectional study’, International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 10(8), pp. 2839–2844. doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20232374.

Dr. Hiranya Saikia

1. Sonowal P, Talukdar K, Saikia H. Socio Demographic Factors and their Association with Menstrual Hygiene Practices amongst Adolescent Girls in Urban Slums of Dibrugarh town, Assam. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. December 2021;10(12):4446-51. DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_703_21.

2. Baruah C, Saikia H, Gupta K, Ohri P. Prevalence and Correlates of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Nursing Students. Indian Journal of Community Health. June, 2022;34(2):259-264.

3. Saikia H, Medhi AH. Association between socio-demographic factors and acceptance of family planning methods among scheduled caste women of Jorhat district, Assam. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. June, 2023;10(6):2144-2150.

4. Doley A, Saikia H. Health-Related Quality of Life of Hypertensive Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. Nursing Journal of India. January-February 2024; CXV(1):06-11.

5. Rajkonwar A, Sharma UK, Sonowal S, Nath A, Saikia H, Hazarika G. Clinicopathological features and risk stratification by the sokal score of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia at a tertiary care hospital in North-East India: A prospective study. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences. June 2024;15(6):101-106

6. Facilities

a. RURAL HEALTH TRAINING CENTRE, CHABUA

Establishment in January – 1957

• Area Covered – 42 sq. Miles.

• Village/Municipality ward covered – 40 Village & 4 Municipality ward.

• Total Population Covered – 47,748, (Rural – 41,465) & (Urban – 6,283).

• Distance from AMCH – 30km.

• Sub- Centre 1 no. Chetia Gaon S/C.

Working Arrangement

a) Training.

b) Service.

c) Research.

These works are done in the clinic & the field.

1.Training Programme.

6. Facilities

a. RURAL HEALTH TRAINING CENTRE, CHABUA

Establishment in January – 1957

• Area Covered – 42 sq. Miles.

• Village/Municipality ward covered – 40 Village & 4 Municipality ward.

• Total Population Covered – 47,748, (Rural – 41,465) & (Urban – 6,283).

• Distance from AMCH – 30km.

• Sub- Centre 1 no. Chetia Gaon S/C.

Working Arrangement

a) Training.

b) Service.

c) Research.

These works are done in the clinic & the field.

1.Training Programme.

• Lady Health Visitors Certificate Course.

• Internee Doctors, Field Training.

• Proposed B. Sc. Nursing Course 2ND & 4th year student for field training.

• Student Nurses Training.

• ANM Supervisors Course.

• Health Assistant (Tea Garden) Course.

• Multi-Purpose Worker Certificate Course.

2.Service Programme – Both in the clinics & in the Field.

3. Other Services Rendered by RHTC Chabua.

* Out Patient Department (OPD) daily.

* Weekly Twice Sub – Centre Visit (Tue.& Friday).

* Weekly Immunization Programme (Wednesday)

* Weekly Ante – Natal Programme (Tuesday).

*Maternal & Child Health (MCH)

* Family Welfare Programme.

* Laboratory.

* DOTS Centre.

* Environmental Sanitation.

* Control of Communicable Disease.

* School Health Services.

* Health Education.

* Collection of Vital Statistics.

* Referral Services etc.

4. Research –

* Field Study.

* Collection.

* Compilation.

* Study of Data.

COURSES HELD AT RURAL HEALTH TRAINING CENTRE, CHABUA

• Sanitarian Course.

1st Batch 16/08/1977 to 31/07/1978. Total Student – 10 nos.

• M PW ( Male) Course

1st Batch 01/01/1988 to 19/12/1988. Total Student – 60 nos.

2nd Batch 01/03/1989 to 20/02/1990. Total Student – 60 nos.

• Health Assistant Course (Tea Garden)

1st Batch Oct/1979 to Mar/1980. Total Student – 45 nos.

2nd Batch 16/06/1980 to Dec/1980. Total Student – 53 nos.

3rd Batch 02/02/1981 to 31/07/1981. Total Student – 52 nos.

4th Batch 17/01/1981 to 17/02/1982. Total Student – 52 nos.

5th Batch April/1982 to Oct/1982. Total Student – 49 nos.

6th Batch 01/02/1984 to July/1984. Total Student – 52 nos.

7th Batch 20/03/1985 to 19/09/1985. Total Student – 38 nos.

8th Batch 08/12/1992 to 07/06/1993. Total Student – 53 nos.

9th Batch 17/04/2001 to 16/10/2001. Total Student – 23 nos.

10th Batch 01/11/2002 to 11/06/2003. Total Student – 27 nos.

11th Batch 13/09/2004 to 02/04/2005. Total Student – 20 nos.

12th Batch 21/08/2006 to 20/03/2007. Total Student – 19 nos.

13th Batch 14/07/2008 to 12/01/2009. Total Student – 20 nos.

14th Batch 30/11/2009 to 31/05/2010. Total Student – 19 nos.

15th Batch 02/05/2011 to 11/11/2011. Total Student – 26 nos.

16th Batch 05/11/2016 to 14/02/2017. Total Student – 48 nos.

17th Batch 18/02/2019 to 17/05/2019. Total Student – 57 nos.

18th Batch 20/01/2020 to 18/03/2020. Total Student – 56 nos.

19th Batch 20/12/2021 to 20/03/2022. Total Student – 58 nos.

20th Batch 21/03/2023 to 19/06/2023. Total Student – 60 nos.

21st Batch 20/03/2025 to 18/06/2025 Total Student – 50 nos.

MPW (Male) Course

1st Batch (1st Semester) – 06/05/2010 to 02/08/2010 Total Student – 46.

2st Batch (1st Semester) – 09/08/2010 to 20/11/2010 Total Student – 49.

1st Batch (2nd Semester) – 22/11/2010 to 19/02/2011 Total Student – 42.

(1 Expired, 3 nos transferred)

2nd Batch (2nd Semester) – 22/02/2011 to 31/05/2011 Total Student – 47.

(2 nos transferred)

LHV (Female) 2 year 6 month Course .

1st Batch December/1972 to May /1973 Total Student – 15.

2nd Batch December/1974 to May /1975 Total Student – 10.

3rd Batch November/1975 to March /1977 Total Student – 12.

4th Batch January/1977 to March /1979 Total Student – 13.

L.H.S. (Female) 6 Months Course.

1st Batch – March/1977 to August/1977 Total Student 17

2nd Batch – September/1978 to April/1979 Total Student 18

3rd Batch – April/1980 to October/1981 Total Student 14

4th Batch – June/1981 to December/1981 Total Student 23

5th Batch – April/1982 to October/1982 Total Student 23

6th Batch –April/1983 to October/1983 Total Student 26

7th Batch –February/1985 to July/ 1981 Total Student 30

8th Batch – April/1985 to October/1985 Total Student 35

9th Batch – April/1986 to November/1986 Total Student 13

10th Batch – March/1987 to September/1987 Total Student 29

11th Batch –July/1988 to December/1988 Total Student 34

12th Batch – December/1989 to June/1990 Total Student 28

13th Batch – January/1991 to June/1991 Total Student 35

14th Batch – December/1991 to May/1992 Total Student 62

15th Batch – February /1993 to July/1993 Total Student 16

16th Batch – July/1994 to December/1994 Total Student 52

17th Batch –July/1995 to January/1997 Total Student 32

18th Batch – August/1999 to January/2000 Total Student 38

19th Batch –March/2000 to August/2000 Total Student 51

20th Batch – October/2000 to March/2001 Total Student 51

21st Batch – September/2001 to February/2002 Total Student 47

22nd Batch –March/2008 to August/2008 Total Student 71

23rd Batch –August/2010 to February/2011 Total Student 60

24th Batch –September/2011to March/2012 Total Student 60

25th Batch – February/2016 to July/2016 Total Student40

26th Batch –October/2017 to May/2018 Total Student 39

27th Batch –February/2021 to Covid-19 Total Student 50

28th Batch –February/2022 to July/2022 Total Student 60

29th Batch - Ongoing

Total number of LHS trainee = 842 (upto 2022)

G.N.M. Course.

Total 89 Batch from AMCH, Dibrugarh.: Total 12 Batch from St. Gerose Institute V.G. Hospital, Dibrugarh. Total 17 Batch St. Lukes Hospital, Tinsukia. Total 4 Batch from Oil India Hospital, Duliajan & 2 Batch from Oil India Hospital, Digboi.

Total Number of GNM student =3758 (upto 2011)

A.N.M. Course.

Total Number of A.N.M. Student =572 (upto 2003) & all are belonging to AMCH, Dibrugarh.
b. Urban Health Centre

 Staff: -

1. Medical & Health Officer I – 1
2. ANM – 5
3. Daily Wage Earner – 1 
       c. ROME, Khowang 

Postgraduate and intern posted for regular OPD Services

Staffs name & Designation (Khowang Rome Centre)

1. Total number of staffs: 2
2. Name & Designation of the staffs:
   • Mr. Sibananda Gogoi (Grade 4 Cowkidar)
   • Mrs. Jahnabi Changmai (Grade 4 Aya)