Kochi: APICON- 2019 concludes

KOCHI: 74th Annual Conference of the Association of Physicians of India (API), APICON 2019 at the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre has come to an end. The four-day event had six parallel tracks with deliberations and interactive sessions on all latest updates on research and developments in the field of medicine.

Occupational health and safety issues among the medical professionals and health care workers received special focus in the closing address by API president Dr K K Pareek. "It needs to be given the highest priority given the work environment and magnitude of occupational hazards," said Pareek.

The lack of a safe work environment which results in the loss of lives and misery to families became a debate point at the event. "These are fundamental issues affecting the fundamental right to life of everyone who works in the health sector. The country’s health sector needs comprehensive occupational health legislation, policies, the enforcement of strict safety standards, surveillance methodologies and safety training programmes to protect health workers. The sector is not insurance covered, risks and hardships are not compensated," he said.

The conference witnessed various scientific sessions held on emerging antidiabetic drugs, diabetes education,  infection management and adult vaccination, hypertension management, technological advancements in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment, osteoarthritis, rheumatology, neurological problems in elderly, sleep disorders, updates on H1N1, prevention of chronic renal failure, hepatitis, tuberculosis,  HIV medicine, critical care medicine, poisoning and toxicology and gastroenterological issues.

Dr A P Mohanty mentioned the health problems in health care workers like handling medical waste, exposure to airborne, waterborne and blood-borne diseases, and lack of safety device. Work-related stress and orthopaedic problems are also the causes which demand serious attention.

On the other hand, Dr K G Sajeeth Kumar spoke about the health concerns caused by the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, steps taken to contain it and its vulnerability on health care workers who attended to the infected patients.   

Commenting on the summit, Dr Sujit Vasudevan, organising chairman said that the conference was successful in giving effect to the theme “Blending Research and Clinical Practices.”

API, as the Professional body of consultant Physicians, established in 1944 has been instrumental in advancing medical knowledge and research and laying down standards of professional conduct and care. Around fifty international faculty and experts from the US, the UK, Australia, Netherland, Middle East, Bangladesh, Nepal and Srilanka led the important scientific sessions. A medical exhibition with 250 stalls was also held as a part of the conference. The mega event, attended by more than 10,000 physicians was hosted by Kochi Branch of API.