World NCD Congress: PGI meet to focus on research to combat non-communicable diseases from Nov 4-6

Doctors address the media in Chandigarh on Wednesday. (Express Photo)

The World NCD Congress will be organised by the World NCD Federation, a professional association working in the field of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, from November 4 to 6. On November 3, a report of 4 population-based cancer registry of Punjab and Chandigarh will be released.

The World NCD Congress 2017, according to PGI doctors, will showcase cutting-edge research in the field as well as offering an educational and scientific experience with the main focus on the latest developments in NCDs namely diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases, cancer, stroke, mental health, road crashes and other important topics. Addressing the media on Wednesday, the PGI doctors said “Preventing Noncommunicable Diseases: Realising Sustainable Development Goals”. It is scheduled from Nov 4-6.

According to PGI doctors there would be 12 Pre Congress workshops four Post Congress Workshops as well. “A highlight of the congress would be special sessions of ministerial forum, parliamentarian forum, policy forum, youth parliament, public forum on obesity and weight management, media and celebrity session as well as art and culture session including art exhibition. Important organisations such as Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases comprising 13 top research agencies in the field of NCDs will be coming to Chandigarh for the first time,” said Dr J S Thakur, organising chairperson of the congress.

Dr Dheeraj Khurana at the conference said besides the scientific programme, it offers special health-promoting-physical-activity sessions that include walkathon (PGI to Sector 17), marathon (PGI to Sukhna Lake) and a yoga session (Capital Complex) on November 4, 5 and 6, respectively. “These health activities which are symbolic of a step towards promoting healthy living away from a sedentary lifestyle are open to the people of Chandigarh and they are encouraged to actively join to create awareness on risk factors of life style diseases and their prevention,” he said. Dr Rakesh Kapoor and Dr Sanjay Bhadada stated the role of lifestyle modifications and Indian system of living in prevention and control of NCDs.

Dr Samir Malhotra then informed about the submission of more than 500 abstracts by researchers from around 100 countries. As per the organisers, the key dignitaries and ministers participating in the conference are Shripad Yasso Naik, Minister of State for Ayush; Anupriya Patel, MoS, health and family welfare; Ashwani Choubey, Minister of State, health ministry.

The health ministers of Maldives and Thailand are participating in the conference, the organisers said. “Nearly 1,200 delegates are expected to participate in the conference,” said Dr Thakur, adding that representative from 100 countries are participating in the congress.