SRC India-Canada Pair
India - Canada
Schrier Award
The Schrier Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of graduated ISN Sister Renal Center (SRC) and ISN-TTS Sister Transplant Center (STC) partnerships. The winner of the 2025 Schrier Award is the SRC India-Canada partnership:
Emerging Center: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
Supporting Center: Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
AIIMS, Bhopal has achieved remarkable progress in the field of pediatric nephrology, establishing itself as a pioneering institution in the region. One of the most significant milestones was the establishment of the first dedicated pediatric nephrology unit in Madhya Pradesh. This unit introduced acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) programs, which have been critical in providing life-saving treatments to children with severe kidney conditions. Furthermore, AIIMS, Bhopal inaugurated the state’s first specialized pediatric hemodialysis unit, which marked a new era in the delivery of specialized renal care to young patients. The addition of renal pathology services has been another key advancement, enabling the generation of 20-25 kidney biopsy reports monthly, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
In the realm of education and training, AIIMS, Bhopal introduced a DM Pediatric Nephrology program, which is one of only three such programs in public sector institutions across India. This program has been instrumental in developing highly skilled pediatric nephrologists who can contribute to the field both nationally and internationally. Additionally, the institution has conducted six pediatric nephrology training courses, which have educated and trained 800-900 pediatricians and postgraduate students. These efforts have enhanced the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals and also contributed to the overall improvement of pediatric nephrology services in the region.
On the research front, AIIMS, Bhopal has made significant strides. The establishment of the Indian National Tubular Disorder Registry stands out as a major achievement, creating a comprehensive database for research and clinical practice. Additionally, the institution secured Rs 20 million in research funding, which has been pivotal in supporting various research projects. One notable multicentric project is the initiation of the ABPM normogram project (DISHA), which aims to develop normative data for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in Indian children, AIIMS, Bhopal being the coordinating site.
Collaborative efforts have been central to the success of AIIMS, Bhopal. Over the past five years, the institution has been actively engaged in regular monthly case discussions with experts from the Sister Renal Center (SRC) program, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and problem-solving. These discussions have been crucial in refining clinical practices and improving patient care outcomes. AIIMS, Bhopal has also contributed to collaborative systematic reviews, resulting in publications in esteemed journals such as Cochrane Kidney and Transplant, Archives of Disease in Childhood, BMC Nephrology, Nephron, and Pediatric Nephrology. These publications have added valuable insights to the field of pediatric nephrology and have established AIIMS, Bhopal as a leader in evidence-based medicine.
AIIMS, Bhopal is deeply thankful to the ISN SRC program and their supporting center, Montreal Children’s Hospital, McGill University, for their invaluable support in these endeavors. Their guidance and resources have been instrumental in their achievements and ongoing advancements in pediatric nephrology. The collaborative and shared commitment to improving pediatric kidney care have been the driving forces behind the success of AIIMS, Bhopal in this field.
The Schrier Award will be presented in the WCN Plenary Session 2 on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. India Standard Time, in the Auditorium Brahmkamal Hall.
The SRC pair will also be celebrated in Spotlight Two: “What can be Achieved in the Sister Center Partnerships,” February 7, 2025, from 1:30-2:15 p.m. India Standard Time on Spotlight Stage 2 (Amphitheatre).