Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Medknow Publications ISSN: 0973-2284 EISSN: 1998-3670 Vol. 9, Num. 1, 2005, pp. 39-41

Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 9, No. 1, January-April, 2005, pp. 39-41

Brief Report

Report of the 55th National Conference of IAOH at Pune - 4 to 6 February 2005

Harshe A.G.

Conference Director, 55th National Conference, IAOH


Code Number: oe05011

55th National Conference of IAOH was held on 4^th, 5^th and 6^th February 2005, at the Le Meridien Pune. More than 310 delegates including USA and Taiwan attended the conference.

On the eve of the Conference 3^rd February 2005, third Council meeting was held at Hotel President. More than 40 council members attended the meeting with fruitful discussion. The meeting was followed by cocktail and dinner hosted by IAOH Pune.

The Conference was inaugurated on the morning of 4^th February 2005 by Mr. B. N. Alias Baba Kalyani Chairman and Managing Director Bharat Forge Ltd. He lighted the sacred lamp to inaugurate the conference.

Beside delegate's eminent industrialists, CEOs, Eminent Medical professionals from Pune, and other distinguished dignitaries attended the Inaugural function.

All the awards and orations were presented at this glittering ceremony.

One of the significant aspects of the conference was the felicitation of Gurus in the field of Occupational Health.

It is only natural for members of the IAOH Pune and students and practitioners of Occupational Health across the country to remember the visionaries and dedicated teachers of Occupational Health.

Their yeoman service to the establishment of the cause of Occupational Health to its awareness and spread at all levels taking firm roots in the medical fraternity and lay public alike. Their Herculean efforts over the years have been commendable.

Dr. P. V. Thacker, Dr. J. C. Kothari, Dr. G. Arjundas, Dr. G. G. Davey, Dr. Ramnik Parekh and Dr. K. B. Grant were felicitated at the hands of Chief Guest by presenting a Silver Plaque.

Mr. B. N. Kalyani during his inaugural address said that there should be structured interaction between different professions. This will provides new insights in to developments in various fields and contributes in broadening perspectives and creating, better understanding about issues of common concern. In the present contest this is truer with the health and Safety at workplace. He was highly impressed and said that he is particularly happy that the focus of this conference is Reactivate Health and Safety at Workplace - a subject that is of direct relevance to industry.

Today Indian industries are operating in highly competitive global market conditions and have become imperative for our industries to meet international customer expectations with regard to cost, product, quality delivery and service. But now these customers also want to study environmental safety and Health practices being followed by potential suppliers in their factories before inducting them in to their supply chain. He said he would like to emphasize this qualitative change and suggest that IAOH as a body of professionals should prepare to respond.

Dr. Rajgopal in his presidential address dwelt on -details of current burden of occupational health diseases in India and its impact on productivity, health and safety and said it is imperative to strengthen occupational health in India. He also suggested ways and means to achieve this.

The IAOH can significantly jump-start the process of activation/reactivation of occupational health at the workplace by

• Raising awareness on the value addition of occupational health to business.
• Spreading the message of benefits accruing out of occupational health services through the media of seminars, symposia, occupational health day celebrations.
• Networking with agencies like the NIOH, ITRC, CLI, WHO and the ILO to augment research and training the discipline of occupational health in the country.
• Disseminating information on elements of a successful workplace occupational health program to all its members.
• Using the medium of the Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine to showcase case studies on successful occupational health programmes in Indian enterprises.

Scientific proceedings started with Sir Ardeshir Dalal Memorial Oration which was delivered by Mr. S. K. Saxena DG FASLI, Mumbai.

Key note address was given by Dr. Stephen Borron of USA and President of Medichem. He spoke on Chemical mass casualty Incidence- Prevention and Preparedness Dr. Jung Der Wang from University of Taiwan talked on Hazard Communication system and prevention of Occupational Diseases.

There were six Guest lectures on the topics of Occupational Health like Emergency Medical services, Problems of women in industries, Hand and Foot injuries etc. Symposia on Aids and asbestos.

Scientific sessions

It was gratifying to see record number of 57 scientific papers were received for presentation. Scientific committee chairman Maj. Gen. V. W. Tilak cleverly managed to accommodate all papers in concurrent sessions.

Accompanying persons were taken to locations of Tourists interest such as Kelkar Museum, which lodges enumerable edifice from the days of Shivaji and of Peshwas.

AGM was held on 5^th February 2005, Official business was transacted. AGM placed on record that the 55th conference organized by IAOH Pune under the leadership of Dr. A. G. Harshe was one of the excellent conferences to be remembered for the years to come and AGM thanked IAOH Pune The delegates were overwhelming in their praise for organizers of the conference.

New team headed by Dr. Swaminathan took over the mantle of IAOH for the next two years.

Cultural programme was held at the sprawling Gharkul lawns and delegates were offered and greeted with Kolhpuri Phetas (Ethnic Turbans). Cultural programme was presented by Lalit Kala Kendra of University of Pune and was enjoyed by delegates.

Delegates enjoyed the cocktails and foods at the locations which were unique as the one at Royal Western Turf club a typical western culture and the other at Gharkul lawns a typical Maharashtrian show.

The concluding session of the conference will be remembered by all the delegates for the years to come as the session was marked by a talk on KARGIL WAR - OPERATION VIJAY by Col. Lalit Rai, VrC.

In June 1999, Col. Lalit Rai led his 1/ 11 Gorkha Rifles into one of the fiercest battles of the Kargil war, on the formidable heights of Khalubar in the Batalik sector, at an altitude of over 18000 feet. Despite grave bullet and splinter injuries on the legs and bleeding profusely, he led his men from the front to success to win the enemy occupied positions.

For his conspicuous bravery of an exceptional order and inspirational leadership, the President of India awarded the VIR CHAKRA to Col. Lalit Rai.

The conference concluded with invitation for the next conference at Jamshedpur the birth place of Indian Industrialization and the Berth place of our Association.
 

Copyright 2005 - Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine