IAPSM conference commenced virtually in PGIMER

Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER
The 48th National IAPSM conference is being held at the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER. Prof Arun K Aggarwal, Organizing Secretary welcomed the dignitaries and participants. Dr Sanjay Zodpey, President IAPSM said that leadership development for strengthening health systems in India remains critical for redesigning ‘new health system’ for 21st century. Dr. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER, welcomed all the distinguished guests and delegates in the conference. He said that the theme of conference “Public Health in 21st Century: Current Challenges and Future Opportunities” is very concurrent in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. IAPSM conference will prove to be an effective platform for addressing the public health challenges. Prof JS Thakur briefed the participants about the meticulously planned scientific sessions of the three-day conference. Dr. Chandresh Pandya, Joint Secretary IAPSM, announced the IAPSM fellowship winners that include Dr. Sarit Sharma (Professor, DMC Ludhiana), Dr. Rakesh Kakkar (Professor, AIIMS Manglagiri), Dr. Bhavesh Modi (Associate Professor, GMERS, Gandhinagar), Dr. Pradeep Aggarwal (Associate Professor, AIIMS Rishikesh), Dr. Manish K Singh (Assistant Professor, RMLIMS, Lucknow), Dr. Abhay Saraf (Director & Professor Symbiosis International, Pune) and Dr. Sree Kanunamurthy Kolli (Professor Gayatri medical college, Vizag). Dr. (Lt. Col.) AK Yadav (AFMC Pune), Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal (Associate Professor, PGIMER), Dr. Archisman Mohapatra (GRID Council, Delhi) and Dr. Amit Sachdeva (IGMC, Shimla) received the IAPSM Presidential Appreciation award. The IJCM award winners include Dr. U.C. Smudyatha (GMC Surat), Dr. Kapil Yadav (CCM, AIIMS New Delhi) and Dr. Priyanka Mukhopadhyay (NRSMC, Kolkata).
Dr. AM Kadri, Secretary General, IAPSM released the IAPSM textbook of Community Medicine and expressed that the conference will surely prove to be an effective platform for the participants to chart out the intricacies of public health. Dr. Amarjeet Singh, Prof and Head (Organizing Chairman IAPSM) felicitated Dr. C S Pandav, Ex-Head AIIMS New Delhi and Padam Shri Awardee. Dr Pandav encouraged the participants to move forward on the path of improving public health for all and improvement of health status of India at the global level. Dr. VK Paul, Member, NITI Ayog motivated the young generation of community physicians to develop models for elderly care, palliative care and eye care which can be delivered at primary health care level like Health and Wellness Center. Dr. Amarjeet Singh thanked all the dignitaries. He wished for the success of the conference and appreciated the team effort of faculty, residents, demonstrators, students and workers. Dr. Mohan Doibole delivered the Dhanvantri Oration and Dr. Anmol Gupta delivered the Harcharan Singh Oration. Six plenary sessions were held on first day on various topics e.g., infectious disease and disasters, heath systems, health inequalities, Sustainable development goals, malnutrition, Global Health and Wellness Initiatives. Over 1200 national and international participants and speakers joined the conference on Day 1.