
Pukhraj Bafna
Chhattisgarh Dental College & Research Institute, IndiaPresentation Title:
Role of spirituality in adolescent wellbeing
Abstract
WHO defines
health as a state of physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Adolescence, a period of life when physio-psychic changes have far-reaching impact, warrants
serious attention on spiritual aspects, which is generally overlooked. Questions while dealing with adolescents and
spirituality as what is spirituality? How spirituality relate to
Adolescent world? Possible health benefits to Adolescents, scientific
evidence the existence of a spiritual dimension in human health. As the children
grow to adulthood, they start thinking regarding the creation of the world, the existence of God or superpower, the purpose of life and meaning of death etc. -
this is how the spirituality enters the world of adolescence. If they are
allowed an open discussion regarding these fundamental questions and are
provided scientific facts, they are more likely to grow into spirituality which
can be a very strong protective factor preventing them from going into various
risk behaviours. To raise
spirituality fit teens, parents have to be congruent, primary teachers of
things spiritual, and positive, to keep their spiritual beliefs and faith. To get teens in
spiritual disciplines, meaning of spiritual disciplines, habits of reverence by
reading together, and creating family mission statements, have to be taught and
shown by loving, confident, available, and open parents. The power of
spirituality has enormous potential for lowering the risk of substance abuse
among teenagers. Adolescents with spiritual beliefs are less likely to initiate
sexual intercourse too early, experience depression abuse substances. A spiritually oriented society can make the best use of this observation in
empowering adolescents. The spiritual dimension of health while planning
preventive, promotive health care services for adolescents in the world should be
considered.
Biography
Dr. Pukhraj Bafna (Padmashri) is a distinguished pediatrician and adolescent health consultant with an unparalleled legacy in child and adolescent healthcare. As the Head of the Department of Medicine at CDCRI, Rajnandgaon, he has directly interacted with over 500,000 adolescents, shaping the future of adolescent health. His academic contributions include authoring chapters in esteemed publications such as the IAP Textbook of Pediatrics, IAP Textbook on Adolescent Health, Bhave’s Textbook on Adolescence, Textbook of Medico-Legal Sciences, and the Book on International Training for Adolescents.
His remarkable contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious accolades, including the Padma Shri Award (2011), Dr. B.C. Roy National Award (2017), National IMA C.T. Thakkar Award (1979), Lifetime Achievement Award by Times of India (2017), Lifetime Achievement International Award by GAPIO (2018), Lifetime Achievement Award by Udayachal (2024), and the National Dhanwantri Award by Chikitsa Sansaar (2013). His academic excellence has been honored by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), and he has delivered esteemed orations such as the World Congress Oration (2011), Dr. Swati Bhave & MKC Nair Oration Award (2016), Dr. D.S. Dave Oration Award (2016), and the Dr. D.B. Shirole Oration Award (2021).
Beyond his clinical and academic contributions, Dr. Bafna serves as the Chairman of Ethics Committees at Government Medical College, Chhattisgarh Dental College, Government Digvijay P.G. College, and Shahid Hospital & Research Centre, Dalli Rajhara.