Dr. K.K. Pareek, President, Association of Physicians of India [API],
Dr. Pritam Gupta, Immediate Past President, API,
Dr. Mangesh Tiwaskar, General Secretary, API,
Dr. Sujith Vasudevan, Chairman, Organizing Committee,
Dr. Sreenivasa Kamath, Secretary, Organizing Committee,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A warm Good evening to everyone.
I am very happy to inaugurate the 74th Annual Conference of the Association of Physicians of India (APICON) - 2019, which focuses on the theme, Blending Research and Clinical Practices.
Let me at the outset, compliment the Association of Physicians of India (API) for organizing this conference, which is the largest medical conference of its kind in South & South East Asia.
Formed in 1944 as a professional body of consultant physicians, the Association of Physicians of India (API) has been conducting various educational and professional activities for its members throughout the year. With strength of 16,500 members, all of whom are physicians with postgraduate qualifications in different specialties, the Association is seen as the most elite physicians' fraternity in India.
The significance of the Association of Physicians of India (API)is evident in the day of its formation that is the 23rd of December, being observed nationally as Physicians’ Day. It is good to know that the Association observes the Day through meetings, scientific programmes, honoring of senior doctors and introduction of community projects.
Conferences like APICON play a significant role in ensuring that the latest developments in Medicine are disseminated among medical practitioners. Such knowledge is possible only through active interaction among experts in the field. It is often from such meetings that the ideas for the development of revolutionary technologies also emerge. The planning of this conference is well in tune with the objective to encourage advanced medical knowledge and to promote research in Medicine.
This Conference is being held at a time when Kerala is finalizing a new Health Policy that addresses several issues including regulation of clinical establishments, upgrading of primary health centers into community health centres, utilizing the services of physicians in the private sector so as to bring back the concept of Family doctor etc., While a lot of emphasis is laid on specialties and super specialties, our Policy realizes that the general Physician continues to be an important part of the common man’s health delivery system. Physicians are responsible for primary care and a great responsibility towards the treatment given to the patients would rest on them. This calls for a regular updating of the knowledge and skills of our Physicians.
One of the qualities I have observed in the Association of Physicians of India is that it has fully realized the increasing need for promotion of Continuing Medical Education Programmes and scientific research activities relevant to the Indian conditions. In fact, it was with this in mind that the Indian College of Physicians (ICP) was started by this Association in 1986. It is commendable that the College conducts Continuing Medical Education Programs in different parts of the country, brings out monographs, practice guidelines and other learning resource materials in various disciplines of medicine to upgrade the knowledge and skills of medical professionals.
The importance of research journals and publications has increased these days with many of the emerging issues demanding quick scientific explanations. In India, we are witnessing the re-emergence of many diseases which were believed to be eradicated long ago. Recently, when Kerala had to struggle with the Nipah virus, the scientific explanations at hand did not seem to be comprehensive. However, our physicians and researchers could handle the situation in a commendable manner.
I am aware that professional bodies like the Association of Physicians of India bring out Academic journals and that the monthly Journal of the Association of Physicians of India (JAPI) and the Annual API Textbook of Medicine are greatly depended upon by our doctors. It would be good if interactions based on research findings on emerging health issues could be conducted more often among physicians in such a way that vital information is also shared among the people in general.
These are days when Technology dominates every field. Medicine is no exception. We have come to rely so much on Machines that the old saying, Man Scan is better than CATSCAN is slowly turning obsolete. I hope this Conference would also update the practitioners with the most modern advancements in technology so that they can use the information for improving the treatment. Making the benefits of such technology available to people who cannot afford the financial burden also deserves our attention.
The Physician’s dealings with the patients and people have to be exemplary. For this, doctors must imbibe and practice the necessary skills and above all, a culture of compassion. A perfect understanding of the behaviour and nature of people would be essential for every physician. The human rights of every patient also must be protected, for which the Physician has to take special interest and initiative. A thorough knowledge of the legal provisions in medical treatment also would be helpful to doctors, especially in these times of informed consent and people’s suspicion of being made subjects of medical experiments. As a person hailing from the Judiciary, I hope such matters are also covered in the discussions.
I understand that over 7000 delegates are expected to attend this 4 day conference and that delegates include doctors from SAARC countries and other nations. I greet all the delegates attending this Conference and wish them a fruitful time here.
I also compliment the Association of Physicians of Indiafor conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Thank You
Jai Hind
