Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being at all ages is essential to sustainable development. There is an urgent need to strengthen the health care systems and eradicate the wide range of diseases for healthy population which is vital for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology contributes to the nation and the global for good health and well – being by introducing health related new academic programmes year on year, strengthening collaborations with hospitals and healthcare institutions, and conducting a wide range of community health initiatives for the development of healthier society.
The sanctioned project by The Director General of the Council, Indian Council of Medical Research on “Exploring temperature and salinity tolerant mosquitoes and their influence on mosquito-borne disease dynamics” directly supports SDG 3 by contributing towards surveillance, and prevention of vector-borne diseases. This research strengthens public health preparedness and aids in reducing the spread of communicable diseases.
As an educational institution, Sathyabama has taken major responsibility towards smoke-free campus and implemented policy such as “Policy on Prevention of Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs” thereby promoting a healthy, safe, and supportive environment in alignment with SDG 3.
A.Educational Programmes:
Knowing the requirement of health profession, SIST is increasing the health related disciplines every year.An average of 333 students graduated in health profession during the academic year 2023-2024, directly contributing to the availability of trained healthcare professionals. SIST currently offers a wide range of health programmes, including:
- Dental Sciences
- Allied Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
- Physiotherapy
B. Collaborations:
SIST’s health profession programmes maintain active collaborations with health institutions and health research organizations to improve health and well-being outcomes. The institution has MoUs with primary health centres, district health centres, and several private hospitals for joint research, student internships, and collaborative projects as mentioned below
Incare lab and Cannarma private limited
Gulf Medical University
Medway Hospital, Chennai
Biopol Bioscience Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, India
Ramakrishna Medical Centre LLP, Trichy, Tamil Nadu
AVN Ayurveda Formulations, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
AAARNA Therapeutics and Vaxigen International Research Centre Private Limited
Chengalpattu Medical College Hospital, Chengalpattu
Urban Community Centre, Greater Chennai Corporation
Sathyabama Dental College and Hospital also conducts extensive community outreach programmes in partnership with local NGOs. These initiatives directly contribute to the goals of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
C.COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMMES:
The Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sathyabama Dental College and Hospital, conducted a series of community-oriented dental screening free camps and awareness programmes across various institutions—including Akshaya Trust Pallikaranai, Kidzee Preschool Perumbakkam, ISKCON Temple Injambakkam, Believable Senior Citizen Home, Anbu Karangal Orphanage, Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum and Sri Prathyangira Devi Temple—benefiting 254 participants which includes children, adults, senior citizens, temple workers, and the general public.
The Allied Health Sciences programmes outreach activity educated the school children about the importance of hygiene habits and healthy diets, significance of drinking water and consuming healthy snacks as an initiative to promote health and well-being.
Sathyabama College of Nursing had commemorated International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking ,World suicide prevention day and World population day 2023 .Awareness programme highlighting the importance of suicide prevention among people, access to Diabetes Care, global struggle to end HIV related stigma, pulse polio immunization and child care are also organised.
D.WELL-BEING SUPPORT ON CAMPUS:
SIST has a student Counselling & Psychological Support Centre comprising of both male and female counsellors offering confidential mental health support and organises yoga programs to promote mental well-being. Highly trained therapists are available to provide advice and support to students with learning disabilities and help them to deal with their problems, Students are provided with Directive counselling, Non-Directive counselling and Eclectic Counselling based on their needs. Counsellors are appointed to support and mentor students with learning disabilities. Special care is taken to support students with learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia and autism.
Website link: https://www.sathyabama.ac.in/student/student-counseling-psychological-support-centre
On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, the Departments of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Biotechnology, and Medical Laboratory Technology jointly organized a series of awareness activities on 28th July 2023. The programme began with an awareness rally on hepatitis prevention and liver health, followed by a technical talk and a skit highlighting the importance of early detection and healthy practices. The event concluded with a sapling plantation, symbolizing the promotion of health and well-being. These initiatives directly support SDG 3 by fostering awareness, prevention, and community engagement in combating hepatitis.
A one-day ice breaking workshop, “FUN with FOOD” was conducted for the students of I year Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics on 30th September, 2023, to explore variety of food groups and to understand the art of science behind each ingredient used in cooking. Numerous games and quiz were conducted to apply the chemistry of using the foods to formulate healthy meal for an individual.
