SER and pain specialists launch mega awareness drive on chronic pain
Pioneer News Service
Jamshedpur
In a major initiative to promote awareness about chronic pain and improve access to specialised treatment, the Department of Pain Medicine at South Eastern Railway Central Hospital, in collaboration with the West Bengal Society for the Study of Pain (WBSSP) and the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP), conducted a week-long public health campaign across Kolkata’s key railway and metro transit hubs.
Held from July 1 to July 9, the campaign commemorated the 42nd Foundation Day of the Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP) under the theme “Relieving Pain, Restoring Life.” The awareness drive concluded with a grand foundation day programme at Garden Reach on July 9.
Under the slogan “Suffering from Chronic Pain? – Visit a Pain Physician,” the campaign sought to bridge the gap between specialist pain management services and the general public. Free pain consultation camps were organised at major transit points, including Santragachi and Kharagpur railway stations under South Eastern Railway, Park Street and Tollygunge Metro stations, and Howrah and Sealdah railway stations, enabling commuters to seek expert medical advice.
A key focus of the campaign was to educate the public about Minimally Invasive Pain and Spine Interventions (MIPSI). Medical experts highlighted that many chronic ailments such as low back pain, sciatica, neck pain and knee pain can often be effectively managed through minimally invasive procedures, reducing the need for major surgery and enabling quicker recovery with improved quality of life.
The campaign also showcased the growing importance of Pain Medicine as a super-speciality in India. Established in 1984, the Indian Society for Study of Pain has played a pivotal role in advancing the discipline. Officials highlighted the success of the FNB Pain Medicine training programme, launched at South Eastern Railway Central Hospital in 2023 and expanded to JagJivan Ram Railway Hospital in 2024, to train future specialists and strengthen pain management services in Eastern India
