6th IAPSM Bihar conference report

Theme: Bihar - MDG to SDG.

Organized by Department of Community Medicine, Patna Medical College on 10 September 2016

Keynote Address by: Padmabhushan Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh International

Guest Lectures by:

• Dr Ashok Mishra, National President, IAPSM
• Dr (Prof) Harivansh Chopra, Ex-HOD, CMLLMC Meerut
• Dr Shivani Dar, UNICEF Bihar
• Dr Surendra Kumar, SPO Child Health, Govt. of Bihar
• Ms Irina Sinha, Sr Consultant, Jeevika
• Dr Syed Hubbe Ali, Health Specialist, UNICEF Bihar
• Dr Sundar Lal, National Ex-President, IAPSM
• Dr M Bhattacharya
• Dr Nihar, OSA, WHO
• Dr Siddharth Shekhar Mishra

Report:

The 6th State Conference of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine (IAPSM), Bihar Chapter was held on the 10th of September 2016, under the auspices of the Department of Community Medicine, Patna Medical College, Patna. Conforming to the theme “Bihar-MDGs to SDGs”, opportunities, inputs, progress and Bihar’s achievements were discussed. Emphasis was on to develop & strengthen partnership of Government agencies with WHO and other UN bodies on one hand and on the other with reputed Voluntary Organizations like ‘Sulabh International” and NGO’s like ‘Jeevika’ capable of reaching out to the societal and benefactor level. Child health (SDG 3.2), rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS (SDG 3.3, 3.7), sustainable management of water and sanitation problem (SDG 6) in context of Bihar were discussed. Evolving ways to achieve sustainable development of Bihar was the common thread among all the discussions. Issues of SDGs also echoed in the free paper presentations, as many of these presented works were on Non-communicable diseases (SDG3.4).

Realizing that Development is the key to Health, the theme chosen for the conference was “Bihar-MDGs to SDGs”and focused on Bihar’s status vis a vis the UN Charter for development built around social, economic and environmental parameters. The conferencewas attended by more than 150 delegatesfrom 14 medical colleges of Bihar, officials of WHO, UNICEF, Sulabh International, Jeevika and other NGOs. Distinguished guests included Mr. P.K Jha, IAS, Addl. Secretary, Health, Govt. of Bihar, Padmabhushan Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder Sulabh International, National President IAPSM Dr Ashok Mishra,Ex-National President IAPSM Dr. Sunderlal, Ex National President IAPSM, Dr. Madhulekha Bhattachrarya Ex Dean NIHFW, New Delhi, Dr. Harivansh Chopra from Meerut, and Dr Sidharth Sekhar Mishra, a national level career counselor and reviewer, Google Health.

Dr. Rashmi Singh, Organizing Chairperson welcomed the delegates followed by inauguration and lamp lighting by Chief Guest, Mr. PK Jha, IAS. Flag salutation ceremony and administration of IAPSM pledge was conducted by Dr. Ashok Mishra National President, IAPSM.Other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were Dr. S. Hubbe Ali, Health Specialist UNICEF, & Dr. Shivendra Pandeya, Programme Manager, UNICEF, Bihar. Dr. RR Sinha and Dr. Ranjeet Kr. Sinha from Patna Medical College facilitated the release of souvenir at the inaugural session.

In his keynote address, Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh International said that good sanitation increased productivity and economic growth of human beings which helped them to achieve and sustain health. Health could be achieved only by convergence of key factors such as sanitation, livelihood, poverty elimination and good nutrition – this was highly relevant and in keeping with the theme of the Conference.He touched upon the technologies available for generating availability of water and sanitation and stressed upon need for collaboration and inclusiveness.

The first plenary session was on improving nutrition, and addressing hidden hunger. Dr. Ashok Mishra, from Gwalior elaborated on role of micronutrients and Dr. Harivansh Chopra, from Meerut on ways to prevent Childhood Malnutrition. The experiences of Universal Salt Iodization cell and Vitamin A Supplementation program at PMCH were shared by Dr. Prof .Rashmi Singh and Dr. Madhumita Mukherjee respectively.Dr. Surendra Kumar, SPO Child Health, GOB gave an update on the NRCs of Bihar

The second plenary session focused on the addressing the determinants of heath the agenda of which had been set by the keynote address of Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak in the inaugural session. Ms. Biraj Laxmi Sarangi appraised the audience about the initiatives taken by Jeevika in empowering and providing livelihood to the underprivileged in Bihar. Dr. S. Hubbe Ali, Health Specialist, UNICEF spoke on the role of VHND in providing a platform for convergence of stake holders in providing quality MCH services to the community.

Third plenary focused on the Health Issues. Dr. Sunderlal, from Rohtak spoke on issues related to Maternal and Adolescent Health in India and Dr. Madhulekha Bhattacharya New Delhi, spoke about the strategies and challenges in reducing HIV/AIDS forachieving SDG targets. Dr. Varsha, from IGIMS, Patna gave an appraisal of the ongoing MCH programmes in Bihar and their outcomes.

Post lunch session consisted of a plenary on the Polio End Game. Strategies adopted in achieving polio elimination were shared by Dr. Nihar from WHO. Dr. Pragya from AIIMS, Patna spoke about the Scaling up of RI in Bihar.

In the free paper session, research works of 20 participants were presented. Three of the best papers were also awarded.

The last session of the day was a lively discussion conducted by Dr. Sidharth Sekhar Mishra, a national level career counselor and reviewer, Google Health, from Delhi, on career prospects in Community Medicine. This session was especially liked by the junior members.

All sessions were informative and appreciated by the delegates. Six credit hours had been awarded for academic content of 6th IAPSMCON by Bihar Council of Medical Registration.

Dr. Nivedita Sinha from PMCH was the Master of Ceremonies and was assisted by students Shreyas and Raincy. Dr. Ajay Krishna, PMCH proposed the vote of thanks.

The academic session culminated in a Health Walk led by the IAPSM President with the slogan Swachata Aur Aahaar, Yahi Hai Swasthaya Jeevan Ka Aadhar, which captured the moot points of the conference.

General Body meeting of IAPSM (Bihar) members was held later in the evening. Dr. Rashmi Singh and Dr. Ranjeet Kr. Sinha were unanimously nominated as President and Secretary respectively. The GB invested them the responsibility of forming the team of office bearers communicating it to members and HQ.

The conference concluded with a grand banquet -cum- gala musical night at the Galaxy Hall, Hotel Panache Patna.

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