GOGS Assam
Guwahati Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society

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53rd All India Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology − 2010
19th − 22nd January, 2010


A REPORT


The 53rd All India Congress of Obstetrics & Gynaecology was held at Guwahati from 19th to 22nd January, 2010 under the aegis of Guwahati Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society in association with the North Eastern O & G Societies. This is for the second time that this annual event of the Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecological Society (FOGSI) was held in this city of North Eastern India. The motto of this year’s congress was reaching the unreached and the theme subjects were Obstetric Complications, Safe Practices in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Preventive Oncology and Practical Management of Infertility.

The Conference was preceded by a weeklong Bicycle Rally promoting Safe-Motherhood amongst the masses which started from Dibrugarh on 12th January, and passed through Sivasagar, Jorhat, Kaziranga and Nagaon    to reach Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati on 18th January 2010 afternoon.    The rally was participated by members from Pune O & G Society under the leadership of Dr Shirish Patwardhan, Senior Vice-President of FOGSI. The twenty members of the rally held meetings at different places with active cooperation and association of the local branches of O&G Societies spreading the message of eradication of Anaemia (Anaemia Chale Jao) & mandatory testing of blood group and Hb%, which contributes towards safe-motherhood. The team held its last meeting at Jhargaon near Mayong, which was organized by Guwahati O & G Society and the team members were felicitated in the evening at Guwahati.

Workshops: - The Congress was preceded by thirteen pre-congress workshops on different topics related to the different aspects of maternal health, prevention of cancer, infertility and open & endoscopic surgical procedures on 18th January 2010. For the first time in AICOG history, a workshop on life-style Management was organized at Iora Retreat, Kaziranga National Park successfully on 17th January, 2010. Dr. Shirish Patwardhan, Vice President, FOGSI was the convener and resource person at the workshop. The workshop was attended by 32 delegates who had the opportunity to combine it with a memorable visit inside the national park.

The pre-congress workshops on colposcopy and   oncosurgery were held at B. Baruah cancer institute. The urogynaecology and Foetal Medicine workshops at Gauhati Medical College, Ultrasonography at Refinary hospital and the vaginal surgery workshop was held at Nemcare hospital. The Pratiksha hospital hosted the workshops on Fibroid and Ovulation Induction. Workshop on Endoscopy was held at International hospital. IUI workshop was held at Institute of Human reproduction. Workshop on labour was held at Sarusajai Stadium, the venue for the congress. Again for the first time in AICOG history  A Free Workshop On Saving Mother’s lives was organized at the venue for MBBS doctors and nursing tutors from our state and the North East which was attended by Dr. Harshad Sanghvi, Director of JHPIEGO, USA, Dr.  Sonia Barnfield, UK, Dr. Rebecca Simms, UK and host of senior faculty members from our country. Dr V.P.Paily and Dr Sheela Mane, Chairperson Safe Motherhood Committee were faculties in the same workshop.

At different hospitals and venues of the city where the workshops were held, many foreign faculty & stalwarts  in the different field of this specialty participated, interacted and operated in front of the delegates from different part of the world . Among them Dr H.R. Tinneberg &  Dr Lisolette Mettler from Germany, Dr Harshad Sanghvi & Dr Julian Robinson from USA, Dr Issac Manyonda, Dr Amar Bhide, Dr Ramesh Ganapathy , Dr Adam Moors, Dr Madhurima Rajkhowa, Dr Ephia Yasmin, Dr. Karunakar from UK, Prof Roy Homburg from Netherlands, Prof Paul Riss from Austria, Dr George Kaladelfos & Prof Ajay Rane from Australia, Dr R. Sankarnarayanan from France, Prof. Jose Palacios Jaraquemeda from Argentina, Dr. Suresh Katera from Singapore,  Dr.Daniel Franfen and Dr. T. F. Kruger from South Africa and many Indian faculty who are known as authority in their respective fields illuminated the participants with their recent hands on training & newer operative techniques. The Workshop on Saving Mother’s lives was well attended by more than 100 doctors and teachers of different Nursing Colleges of the State and North Eastern Region.

On 19th January, the C.G. Saraiya Contiuing Medical Education session highlighted the different aspects of pregnancy care during the antenatal period to the mother and early detection & prevention of cervical cancer and participated by International and National faculty. In the afternoon, FOGSI Committee Workshops on HIV, Foetal Medicine, Public Awareness, Food & Drugs, Ethics & Medicolegal & International Academic Exchange and PICSEP were held simultaneously in different halls at the venue.

Inauguration: - The congress was formally inaugurated on the evening of 19th January 2010. The Inaugural meeting was preceded by a colourful cultural procession, where participants from different sister states of the North Eastern States in their traditional dress welcomed President Dr Sanjay Gupte to the Indoor Stadium. The Honourable Chief Minister of Assam, Sjt Tarun Gogoi inaugurated the congress and lauded the role of FOGSI in different issues related to women of the country and welcomed the guests from the different parts of the world. After the installation of new President of  FOGSI, the Honourable Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the importance of bringing down the maternal & infant mortality and praised the active participation of local branch of the organization  in offering health care services in the FRU’s and forecasted the reduction in the mortality statistics in a short time.

Cultural evenings: -The Inaugural meeting was followed by a cultural evening, where different dance forms of Assam & North Eastern India, choreographed by local artists drew attention of the delegates. The nationally acclaimed Zubin Garg performed live in front of the faculty & delegates on the second day, while Mr Anirban Das and Joshua Queah & his troupe mesmerized the audience in the banquet on the third day. On 17th January, in a welcome dinner hosted by the Guwahati O & G society,    Mr. Dipak Sarma and his group with their live instrumental fusion music welcomed the invited guests & foreign faculties to Guwahati.

Scientific program: -  The Scientific programs were held in six different theme halls equipped with   latest audio-visual equipments, where different  Orations, Key-note Address, Panel Discussion and Video-Sessions  were held and addressed by distinguished faculty from the country and abroad. All together there were 96 sessions in all the halls where national and invited international speakers delivered their addresses. Dr. Harshad Sanghvi delivered the Amedeyas Shreya oration on 20th January. The FOGSI oration was delivered by Dr. Narendra Malhotra, past president of FOGSI on 21st January. The first MSD oration was delivered by Prof. Johannes Huber on 22nd January.  Another highlight of the Conference was the Presented Papers & Posters competition, participated by Senior & Junior member-delegates of FOGSI.

Accommodation: - Only 191 delegates booked hotels through the committee or through the event manager. The organizing committee had booked lot of rooms in budget hotels and guest houses, the large majority remained vacant. All invited international faculties were accorded local hospitality and tours in the north east.

Registration: - The total registration of delegates was 2870 including spot registration. There were also 704 Accompanying delegates.  A total of 41 delegates cancelled their registrations and were refunded the registration fees.

Transport: - We provided shuttle buses and winger minibuses from all hotels to the venue everyday in the morning and evening. We also provided transport from airport to the hotels and vice versa. Shuttle service was also provided from the venue to the nearest taxi/ auto/ bus stand every half hour all throughout the conference days. Free Guwahati city tour was also provided on two days of the conference. Although shuttle service to the hotels was not availed by most of the delegates, it was kept as per schedule every day.

Public forum: -  A Public Forum meeting on “Bringing healthcare facility to grass-root level “ was organized on 21st January which was moderated by Senior journalist Mr Samudragupta Kashyap and participated by Dr Alaka Goswami, Dr C.R.Hira from NRHM, Dr Indrani Dutta , Mrs Minati Barthakur and Mrs Indrani Rai Medhi and well interacted by public & health professionals.

The Valedictory function of the congress was held at 2pm on 22nd January which heralded the successful ending of a grand conference. The flag of the congress was formally handed over to the organizing secretary of the next AICOG to be held at Hyderabad in 2011.