Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jun 9: For the very first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, a two days national level conference on neonatology has started in SKICC Srinagar that was inaugurated by RR Bhatnagar, Advisor to LG.
The conference is being organised by NNF- Kashmir, a city/ UT branch of NNF India.
Doctors said that this is an important development related to the academic world in Kashmir, the Department of Paediatrics GMC Anantnag is hosting “North Zone NEOCON-2023” a Zonal National level Conference of National Neonatology Forum of India.
They said that the conference is focused on several important areas related to neonatal health and medical practice. Topics being covered included neonatal resuscitation, neonatal ventilation, Quality improvement, neonatal nursing and other common neonatal health issues and interventions.
“It is also focusing on providing participants with the latest advancements and updates in the field of neonatology,” they added.
“The conference is designed to update healthcare professionals with the latest evidence-based practices and equip them with the necessary skills to improve neonatal care and outcomes,” said Patron and Principal GMC Anantnag, Dr (Prof) Syed Tariq Qureshi.
RR Bhatnagar, Advisor to LG Jammu and Kashmir while welcoming the delegates from all over the country said that the conference will be very successful and is expected to contribute to the improvement of neonatal care in Kashmir and will have a huge impact in decreasing Neonatal mortality further.
He said Govt of India and Govt of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have given the health sector a top priority and to improve overall health of the society at large by holistic approach.
Administrative Secretary Health, Shri Bhupinder Kumar while welcoming the delegates through teleconference said that neonatal care and optimal treatment has a huge impact in decreasing infant mortality rate.
He said that Govt is further strengthening the maternal and child care services through RCH programme under NHM scheme and opening of seven New Medical Colleges and two AIIMs will definitely prove a game changer in overall strengthening the health care delivery system in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
He Congratulated Principal GMC Anantnag and National Neonatology Forum for organising such a crucial conference and said that such conferences are important to keep pace with the rest of the world in capacity building measures and be updated with ever emerging medical practices and management protocols.
Dr Showkat Ahmad Tali, Associate Professor Pediatrics and Neonatologist at GMC Anantnag who is also chief organizational secretary of the conference told KNO that the aim of organizing this conference is to create awareness about neonatology as neonatal care is being taken lightly in J&K but neonatal care is of utmost importance and if we will take care well it will help in decreasing mortality and there won’t be any problems in children in their coming life,” he said.
“We have good neonatal facilities in Srinagar but in peripheral hospitals Kashmir is lacking such facilities and we are involving high government officials in this conference so that such facilities can be availed and improved in peripheral hospitals,” Dr Showkat said.
“This conference will help in starting a new era in neonatal care and bringing revolution in pediatric healthcare in Kashmir,” he added.
He added that almost 150 top neonatologists from different parts of the country and around 600 top delegates are part of the conference.
Prof (Dr). Praveen Kumar, President NNF, India, Prof. (Dr) Parvaiz Ahmad Koul Director SKIMS, Prof (Dr) Tariq Syed Qureshi, Principal GMC Anantang, Dr Irfan Robbani, Principal SKIMS-MC Bemina , Dr. Surender Singh Bisht Secretary General NNF India, Prof (Dr) Sunil Dutt Sharma (President NNF J&K), Dr. Ravi Sachan, Dr (Prof) Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, Co-organising chairman graced the occasion among other dignitaries.
