PCOS, Metabolic Disorders overstretch India’s healthcare system: Dr Swaminathan

Srinagar, Nov 25: Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, World Health Organization (WHO) has said the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Metabolic Syndrome and related disorders have started weighing down the healthcare system in India and it needs immediate and focussed attention at the appropriate levels.
“A well-designed and concerted approach is needed to identify the knowledge gaps and launch innovative programmes and policies to tackle PCOS and related disorders,” Dr Swaminathan said while addressing, through virtual mode, the 4th Annual Conference of Metabolic Syndrome, Pre-Diabetes & PCOS (MP-PCOS) Society.
The two-day conference, with the theme – “Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity, Ovarian Dysfunction and Diabetes” – was jointly organized by Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura and MP-PCOS Society.
Dr Swaminathan, who was the Chief Guest at the Conference, called for extensive research on PCOS to explore its aetiology and modifiable & non-modifiable risk factors to debunk the root causes of this disorder and reduce the economic and healthcare burden of cardiovascular diseases and other associated co-morbidities of PCOS.
She hailed the organizers for organizing such an informative and resourceful event on an emerging health challenge.
The conference had brought together renowned clinicians, gynaecologists, endocrinologists, dermatologists, psychiatrists, diet experts, researchers and scientists from all across the country virtually under one roof to deliberate on the growing epidemic of PCOS and related disorders including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity and endocrine disorders during pregnancy, particularly in the Indian context.
The flagship conference was attended by around 300 delegates, six international speakers and more than 70 national experts who shared their views, expertise and latest research, innovation and discoveries in the field of PCOS and related disorders.
Speaking on the occasion, noted Endocrinologist and President, MP-PCOS Society, Dr M Ashraf Ganie, in his presidential address enumerated how over the past few years, the Society has garnered more than 200 memberships to foster the battle against non-communicable diseases.
Prof Ganie, who is one of the founding members of MP-PCOS Society, raised alarm over the fast spread of non-communicable diseases particularly metabolic syndrome, PCOS and diabetes which, he said, are emerging as global health epidemics in the wake of altered lifestyle and dietary habits. “With decreased physical activity and hectic work schedules, the health has gone for a toss, leading to far reaching consequences at every stage of life,” he said and added that the impact of COVID pandemic on the healthcare sector proved to be a double-edged sword particularly among women with PCOS and other metabolic disorders.
Former Director, SKIMS, Dr M S Khuroo lauded the efforts of MP-PCOS Society and Prof M Ashraf Ganie for initiating a national ICMR-PCOS Task Force study to address the growing epidemic of PCOS and create awareness towards better health of women in particular and the community in general.
In her welcome address and the conference overview, Prof Sarita Bajaj, the Organizing Chairperson, opined that PCOS must be seen beyond a mere hormonal disorder of reproductive aged women as it doesn’t terminate with the women attaining the reproductive age.
Dr Rakesh Sahay in his report said that PCOS is a lifestyle disorder with major prominence in current times with myriad manifestations presenting to different specialities in medicine. He said there is a pressing need to pool the resources on how to deal with PCOS and its vast implications in terms of increasing risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers.
Dr Sanjay Kalra said the purpose of the conclave was to discuss the PCOS in light of emerging new knowledge and research for appropriate diagnosis and management.
Second day of the conference also featured an oral and poster presentation session where young researches exchanged their experiences, scientific concepts and research outputs. The conference maintained a high quality peer review process.
The conference concluded with the valedictory function with Prof M S Khuroo as its Chief Guest wherein concluding remarks were presented by Dr R S Sharma, Emeritus Professor, ICMR New Delhi.