Udaipur: A one-day capacity-building workshop for tribal medical practitioners (Guneejans) was held on Friday at the premises of the Mānikya Lal Verma Tribal Research & Training Institute (T.R.I.), Udaipur, under the joint auspices of T.R.I. and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur. The workshop aimed to strengthen healthcare services in tribal areas.
T.R.I. Director O.P. Jain stated that the workshop represents a historic initiative to formally recognize tribal medical practitioners within the state’s public health system, incorporating them as collaborative partners in improving community healthcare.
The inaugural session was attended by Krishanpal Singh Chauhan, Additional Commissioner, T.A.D.; Sudhir Dave, Director of Statistics; Banwari Lal Bumberia, Assistant Director; Pradeep Dwivedi, Additional Professor, AIIMS Jodhpur; Dr. Rakhi Dwivedi; Dr. Kiran Dwivedi; and 18 tribal medical practitioners. Additionally, a 10-member medical team from the S.T.H.R. Centre, Abu Road, implemented by AIIMS Jodhpur with the support of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, was also present.
Director Jain highlighted that tribal medical practitioners enjoy long-standing trust and social recognition in their communities. In remote tribal areas, villagers typically consult these practitioners first. They play a crucial role in early identification of serious cases and timely referral to nearby health centers, often proving to be lifesaving. He also expressed concern over the persistent prevalence of malaria, tuberculosis, and leprosy in tribal districts and emphasized the need for targeted and sustained efforts for their elimination.
Additional Commissioner Krishanpal Singh Chauhan remarked that the initiative aligns with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ vision of inclusive development and community-led progress in tribal areas. In the second session, Dr. Pradeep Dwivedi urged tribal practitioners to act as bridges in delivering modern healthcare services to the last mile. Meanwhile, Dr. Rakhi Dwivedi provided practical training on e-P Clinic technology, enabling tribal medical practitioners to offer healthcare services remotely through telemedicine.