Pediatrics

Vision Statement

To become a center of excellence in Pediatrics, dedicated to upholding the highest standards in academic achievement, compassionate care, and innovative research. We aim to develop future leaders in child health through best medical education, provide evidence-based and family-centered care with integrity and empathy, and contribute to scientific advancements that enhance the health and well-being of children.

Mission Statement

To enhance child health in the region through continuous quality improvement, deliver compassionate, evidence-based patient care, uphold excellence in academic training, and advance research that can be implemented in practice and policy.

Faculty

S. No. Photo Name & Qualification Designation Area of Interest Email ID / ResearchGate Page
1 Dr Sriram Pothapregada Dr. Sriram Pothapregada
M.D. Pediatrics
Professor and Head Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Neonatology and Community Pediatrics
Pediatric Cardiology
Dr.sriram.pedia@aiimsbilaspur.edu.in
2 Dr Naveen Kumar Dr. Naveen Kumar
M.D. Pediatrics
Fellowship in Pediatric Neurology
Associate Professor Pediatric Neurology
Nutrition in Children
Neurophysiology
Quality Improvement in Healthcare
Dr.naveen.pedia@aiimsbilaspur.edu.in

ResearchGate Profile 
3 Dr Jasbir Singh Dr. Jasbir Singh
M.D. Pediatrics
Associate Professor Pediatric Endocrinology
Pediatric Pulmonology
Dr.jasbir.pedia@aiimsbilaspur.edu.in
4 Dr Raman Sharma Dr. Raman Sharma
M.D., D.M. (Pediatric Critical Care)
Assistant Professor PICU, Pediatric Emergency Dr.raman.pedia@aiimsbilaspur.edu.in

Services

In-patients Department:

The Pediatric indoor department began providing patient care services in October 2022 with an initial capacity of 12 beds and a 5-bed emergency facility. As patient numbers increased, a dedicated pediatric ward with 30 beds including a 4-bed HDU was established on the 5th floor of the A Block IPD building. The department receives referrals from nearby districts of Himachal Pradesh and the neighbouring state of Punjab.

In 2024, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) was started to provide critical care services for children in the region. The PICU currently has 16 beds equipped with advanced facilities including mechanical ventilation, invasive monitoring, and peritoneal dialysis.

The unit also manages pediatric patients from specialties such as Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics, ENT, and Pediatric Surgery. With the approval of two seats, the D.M. (Pediatric Critical Care) program is scheduled to commence in the July 2025 session. Additionally, one seat for Pediatric Neurology Fellowship has also been approved for the July 2026 session.

Outpatients Department:

Pediatric OPD services were initially launched in May 2021 through the eSanjeevani platform during the COVID-19 pandemic and later expanded to the physical OPD in Ayush Block in December 2021. Following the inauguration of the institute on 5 October 2022, the OPD services were relocated to the B Block hospital building.

At present, the Pediatric OPD is fully operational and provides daily patient care services. It began with general Pediatrics services and has since expanded to include subspecialty services such as Pediatric Neurology and Pediatric Intensive Care follow-up clinics.

In 2025, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Hemato-oncology, and Pediatric Pulmonology clinics were also approved.

In collaboration with the National Health Mission, Himachal Pradesh, the Department of Pediatrics has been running an Adolescent Friendly Health Clinic (Nayi Disha Kendra) within the OPD since 2024.

The Department of Pediatrics actively contributes to community health services through participation in outreach health camps in tribal areas of Kaza, Keylong, Chamba districts, and local health camps for differently abled children in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.

The Department is actively implementing national health programs initiated by the Government of India such as the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program, Anemia Mukt Bharat, Mission Indradhanush, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, Adolescent Health Program, and Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance Program.

Procedures (Diagnostic and/or Therapeutic) Offered by the Department

  • Pediatric immunization in OPD.
  • Sedation for pediatric patients requiring MRI/radio-imaging admitted in the ward.
  • EEG/vEEG for pediatric patients.
  • Pulmonary function tests for pediatric patients.
  • Day-care facilities including blood transfusion for transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients.

Statistics Courses & Short Term Trainings

S. No. Name of Course Curriculum Duration of Course Present Number of Students Objective Description of Course
1 M.B.B.S. UG Curriculum approved by SAC 5.5 Years 100 Competency-based medical education as per UG curriculum.
2 M.D. Pediatrics PG Curriculum approved by SAC, AIIMS Bilaspur 3 Years 10 Postgraduate training as per the approved curriculum.

Research

S. No. Title Principal Investigator Co-investigator Collaboration if any Funding Agency Project Status
01 Investigative Centre of Advanced Research in Endotypes of T1D (i-CARE-T1D): A National Referral Centre for Research in T1D. Multicenter Study
Dr. Sriram P.
Dr. Naveen Kumar Multicenter Study ICMR Ongoing
02 To study the pattern of JUNCS consumption in children aged 6 months – 5 years in a rural setting and its association with overweight and obesity. Chief supervisor for UG student. Dr. Naveen Kumar No Indian Academy of Pediatrics Ongoing
03 Lifestyle behavior patterns and their association with overweight and obesity in children aged 6–10 years: A study on physical activity, sleep, screen time, and dietary habits. Dr. Naveen Kumar No Indian Academy of Pediatrics Ongoing
04 Combination of pulse oximetry screening and femoral pulse palpation to detect critical congenital heart diseases in newborns of Bilaspur district – A prospective observational study. Dr. Nalini A Dr. Jasbir Singh State Health Agencies, Himachal Pradesh ICMR Ongoing
05 Multicentric syndromic surveillance of acute febrile illness in North-west India. Dr. Mini P. Singh Dr. Jasbir Singh
(Dr. Puneet Gupta – Site PI at AIIMS Bilaspur)
Multicenter Study ICMR Ongoing

Expansion Plan

S. No. Expansion Plan
1 To start subspecialty courses in Pediatrics.
2 To establish a Child Development Unit and Early Intervention Center.
3 To establish a Pediatric Pulmonology Laboratory.
4 To start renal replacement therapy services.
5 To establish a Pediatric Skill Laboratory for UG, PG, and DM students.
6 To start a Pediatric Infectious Disease and Diarrhea Treatment Unit.
7 To participate in community outreach health activities.