REPORT OF PEDICON 2003, THE 40TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE INDIAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS.
The recently concluded XXXX National Conference of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, held at the Renaissance Hotel, Mumbai, was attended by more than 4500 delegates from all over the country,
8 pre-conference workshops were held in various medical institute of Mumbai and about 500 delegates participated in these workshops. There has been a request for the proceedings of the workshops by many members as it was possible to attend only one workshop at a time. IAP has forwarded the request to the convenors of the workshop and would come out with the details of availability of the same very soon.
The 4-day conference, inclusive of the CME on day one, proved to be a conference with a difference it was inaugurated by the then Hon. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Shri Shatrughan Sinha.
The CME was conducted as 2 concurrent CMEs one basic and the other advanced CME and was attended by 3000 members.
Perfect time management, despite the scientific sessions starting as early as 8 am in the morning, was a constant feature all through out the 4 days. Scientific contents were of the highest standards and the sponsored symposia were kept out of the conference hour in the evening. The scientific program of the conference was appreciated by one and all there have been very good suggestions from the delegates like flashing the email id of the speaker as the last slide, minimizing the disturbance of the speaker by the light at the door etc.
UG quiz and PP quiz were a great hit and the auditoria were full to the capacity for these events.
Dr.Bafna in his usual style made a badhiya “simhavlokan” (looking back and summarizing) of the event by the and large praised the organizers for the well organized convention. Almost all the delegates appreciated the arrangements, scientific contents and the time management of the conference.
Mumbai lived upto its reputation of class culture programes, barring the mad rush. The Jagjit Singh Ghazal Nite on day1, Sudesh Bhosale’s cultural nite and the Banquet on the picturesque lawns of the Royal Palms would be remembered by all of us for a long long time to come.
Trade exhibtors and the visitors had their bit and the wonderful view of the Powai Lake and Hiranandani Gardens from the relaxation lounges was captured by many by their cameras.
Cacophony and hallagulla of games at the trade exhibition, disturbing the scientific session, was conspicuously absent.
The Organizers were rewarded by the success of the conference and realized that their good intentions and sincere efforts paid a handsome divided.
The newly introduced swipe card system may registrations very easy and swift for those who brought their cards. However, non receipt of the swipe cards by a significant number of delegated did create some restlessness in the delegates and the organizers. Failure of the swipe card machines at the lunch counters added future to the tensions. Lesson to be learnt is that when the electronic system fails, ageold and the time tested methods like coupons still come to the rescue. Hectic meetings, quick evaluations and trouble shooting and prompt decision of the organizers alleviated all the prompt decision of the organizers alleviated all these problems. We sincerely thank our lion-hearted delegates for their cooperation and patience.
At the end
what remains in our mind is the truly memorable event and of course, handsome
profits of IAP too!
Dr.Rohit C Agarwal Dr.Nitin K Shah
Dr.Vijay Yewale
Org.Secretary, PEDICON 2003
Org.Secretary, PEDICON 2003 Org.Secretary, PEDICON 2003