242 societies led by FOGSI join hands with IMA to raise awareness on World Population Day

242 societies led by FOGSI join hands with IMA to raise awareness on World Population Day Deliberate on key issues regarding family planning including new-age and effective contraceptives andvoluntary access to safe family planning methods New Delhi, 11th July, 2017: In a momentous occasion, 242 societies led by the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) came together with 3 lakh doctors of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to raise awareness about the paradigm shift in contraception methods available today. In line with the World Population Day theme of 2017, the motto was to empower people with novel ways of family planning for the development of the nation. According to ‘Vision FP 2020’, access to family planning can avert 2.39 crore births and 42,000 maternal deaths by 2020. About 21.3% of eligible couples in India have unmet need for family planning. Although the Indian national family planning programme began in the early 1950s and has seen success over the period, there are still challenges such as those of access, choice, gender, equity, and quality. Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association and President Heart Care Foundation of India and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “People need to be aware about the varied and effective contraception choices that are at their disposal today. These include an irreversible tubectomy, reversible long-acting spacing methods of contraception such as the intrauterine device (effective for 3-10 years) and implants. Recently, many new contraceptive choices have been added such as injectable contraceptives. These are now available under the national family planning programme. We are happy to join hands with FOGSI and together, we shall educate people towards allaying myths and misconceptions about contraceptives as also create awareness on safe family planning methods." Adding to this, Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai – President and Dr Hrishikesh D Pai - Secretary General, Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) in a joint statement said, “In 2015, over 7 lakh abortions were recorded, which resulted from unwanted pregnancies – as an outcome of the unmet need of contraceptives. According to NFHS IV, current use of family planning methods among married women (15 to 49 years) is 47.8%. Therefore, we believe that the impetus for reproductive health services specifically family planning services would come from a more community-based approach which further has a huge potential under Public-Private partnership. We at FOGSI are running a postpartum IUCD programme funded by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) under which we have been successful in the insertion of IUCD among 15,781 patients. With the support of IMA, we aim to expand the programme to all the 242 societies under FOGSI.” Dr SK Sikdar, Deputy Commissioner and HOD, Family planning division of Union Health Ministry said, "According to NFHS IV, about 5.7% of married women (15-49 years) in India have unmet need for spacing. Our aim is to keep the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of the Indian population to 2.1. Out of 36 states and Union territories of India, 24 of them have already achieved the TFR of 2.1 or less. There is only 1 state in India - Bihar - whose TFR is more than 3. The Government is undertaking a lot of initiatives in the field of family planning. In the rural areas we have ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers who visit the women in the villages and educate them about the new age contraceptives, provide them pregnancy kits etc. Today we are proud to announce that we have implemented injectable contraceptives in the country. On World Population Day, we need to raise awareness on the efficacy of new-age contraceptives and voluntary access to safe family planning methods." There are two kinds of family planning options: temporary and permanent. Oral contraceptive pills, male and female condoms, IUCDS, contraceptive injections are some of the temporary methods. Among the permanent methods, both male and female sterilization options are available in India. While male sterilization is not as popular, it is recommended over female sterilisation. Emergency contraception is another important option that young adults should be aware of and the right way to use it to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. It is important that they know about Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), so that if they have unprotected sex and find themselves facing the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy and its health and social consequences, they know that they can still act to prevent it. Instead of the doctor taking a decision on behalf of the couple, the two should together decide on what would be the best method of contraception taking into consideration the personal preferences, and social and cultural factors along with the efficacy, safety, and side effects of different contraceptives.

IMA and FOGSI join hands to create awareness about contraception

IMA and FOGSI join hands to create awareness about contraception Dr KK Aggarwal, National President IMA Dr RN Tandon, Hony Secretary General IMA Dr Rishma Pai, President FOGSI 2017 Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Secretary General FOGSI 2017 Today is World Population Day, a day earmarked by the United Nations to create awareness about population issues worldwide. The importance of family planning is one such very important issue. In a momentous occasion, 3 lakh doctors of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and 37,000 doctors of FOGSI, the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India, have joined hands to create awareness about a paradigm shift in contraception in a bid to empower women with choices available and help them to make the right choice for themselves. There is now a basket of choices available in our country, from the irreversible tubectomy to the reversible long-acting spacing methods of contraception such as the intrauterine device (effectiveness lasting for 3-year duration or 10-year duration) and the implants. Injectable contraceptive has recently been added as a new contraceptive choice. The various methods of contraception can be categorized into three groups based on their effectiveness. • Most effective: These include the long-acting reversible contraception and sterilization, which is a permanent method. The pregnancy rates are the lowest because their effectiveness is minimally influenced by the actions of the user or adherence. • Effective: In this category, the injectable contraceptives have the highest effectiveness. Other options are the oral contraceptive pills, transdermal patch and the vaginal ring. But their effectiveness rests on the user and incorrect or irregular use is associated with higher pregnancy rates. • Least effective: Diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, male and female condoms, spermicides, periodic abstinence and withdrawal are associated with much higher pregnancy rates. Contraceptive counseling also involves informing the woman about the various choices available in the country today along with the associated risks and benefits in addition to educating them about contraception, their present and future contraceptive needs and the risks of unintended pregnancy so that she can balance the advantages of each method against its disadvantages and side effects and decide on a preferred method. Emergency contraception is another important option that young adults should be aware of including the right way to use it to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. For individuals at risk of sexually transmitted infections, the use of condoms is recommended. Instead of the doctor taking a decision alone on behalf the woman, the two should together decide on what would be the best method of contraception taking into consideration the personal preferences, social and cultural factors along with the efficacy, safety and side effects of different contraceptives. A judgment of the UK Supreme Court in 2015 in the case of Montgomery vs Lanarkshire Health Board changed the law on informed consent in the UK. According to the judgement, when counseling the patients about the benefits and risks of various treatment options, doctors are now required to ensure that “the patient is aware of any material risks involved in any recommended treatment, and of any reasonable alternative or variant treatments”. And, to consider whether “a reasonable person in the patient’s position would be likely to attach significance to the risk, or the doctor is or should reasonably be aware that the particular patient would be likely to attach significance to it." Data show that women prefer the long-acting reversible contraception as a first choice of contraception over sterilization. It is a highly efficient method with failure rates equal to or better than the permanent method; moreover, it is non-surgical, cost-effective and reversible. Instead of opting for irreversible tubectomy, there is now an alternate choice of reversible long-term contraception. Women who request a sterilization should also be counseled about the long-acting reversible contraception as a method of choice of contraception marking a paradigm shift from permanent method to the long-acting reversible contraception. Dr KK Aggarwal National President IMA & HCFI

Hard work and dedication have no substitutes

Hard work and dedication have no substitutes Dr KK Aggarwal, Editor in Chief eMedinewS and IMA News in conversation with Dr Prof CN Purandare, renowned Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and President, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). Dr CN Purandare has been honored with Dr BC Roy National Award for the year 2009 under the category of ‘Outstanding services in the field of Socio-Medical Relief’. About Dr Prof CN Purandare Prof CN Purandare was born on 18-12-1950 in Mumbai. He had his medical education in TN Medical College, Mumbai and is the recipient of numerous degrees and Fellowships. Dr. Prof CN Purandare is an educator par excellence with 38 years of teaching experience in Medical Colleges in India and Ireland. Passionate about Medical education, he rose through the ranks to become Unit Head in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, a position that has given him a thorough knowledge of the policy issues and challenges in achieving academic excellence. An astute administrator, he has shaped the growth trajectory of the Mumbai Obs/Gyn Society (the largest Obs/Gyn city based society in India) for 9 marathon years from 1995 onwards, having held several leadership positions including that of President in 2003. From leading a city-based society he moved to the national scene when he was elected Secretary General of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) for the years 2004-2008. He later rose to be President (2009-10). At FOGSI he was instrumental in giving the organisation an academic focus, pioneered various national development projects, created self-sustainable systems, and firmed-up financial policies. An asset to FOGSI Professor Purandare sourced funding and cemented national and international partnerships with the Health Department of the Government of India and State Governments, WHO, UNICEF, MacArthur Foundation, AMDD, IPAS, PSI and JHPIEGO. He has also established FIGO, AOFOG, SAFOG and RCOG sessions at annual conferences of FOGSI for better interactions between sister organizations. During his years at the helm he not only turned around the fortunes of FOGSI from a loss making organization to a profit making one, but he was also instrumental in establishing a large corporate office for FOGSI in Mumbai. Professor Purandare was a member of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Core Committee and AOFOG Uro-gynaecology Committee. He has regularly taken time off to meet fellow doctors and enhance his knowledge through participation as a delegate and as a faculty member in national and international conferences including FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) since 1985. He has represented India on FIGO Executive Board. He has more than 90 publications in peer reviewed Journals, has contributed chapters in 23 books and has authored books as Associate Editor for 3 books and Editor for 4 books. A recipient of “Book of the Year Award” from FOGSI for 3 years, he has to his credit over 500 presentations and 25 orations as a guest faculty member in national and international conferences. He has a special interest in Foetal Medicine and High Risk Pregnancy and was the first to perform foetal surgery in India. He has devised the Purandare's Modified Radical Hysterectomy Operation for Carcinoma of the Cervix and successfully performed over 250 such procedures with improved 5 years survival rate. Owing to his campaign on “Saving Lives” conducted nationwide involving various grassroots programmes to reach out to the under-privileged by adopting villages in India. He provided leadership to the programmes of “maternal death reviews” and “maternal near miss programme” as part of FOGSI - FIGO - LOGIC B&MGF MNH Initiative, he is abreast with the ground realities and challenges faced by families in developing nations. He was elected to the prestigious position of President Elect of FIGO in Rome in October 2012 and he was installed as President of FIGO in October 2015 in Vancouver, Canada. His vast experience will allow him to shape FIGO’s initiatives and strategies on a larger scale. In the immediate future, Professor Purandare as President of FIGO will dedicate his time in prioritizing “Reduction in Maternal Mortality” as an area of continued momentum and plans to build focus on “Family Planning” which he advocates to be called “Conception Planning” in order to include large population of Adolescent who need help. There will be emphasis on “Prevention and early detection of Cancer Cervix” as well. He will use his strengths of leadership and team building, forging partnerships, financial acumen, strong academic knowledge of Obs/Gyn and integrity as the 5 pillars to lead change and make FIGO to be truly recognized as the prime organization for uplifting women’s health globally. How does it feel being conferred one of the most prestigious awards in the medical field? I am indeed honored and humbled by Dr B C Roy Award giving recognition for years of work for women, both nationally and globally. Tell us about your journey so far. I come from the Purandare Family which is unique in having Ob Gyn experts for four generations. I was born in Mumbai and trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in India and Ireland. I am a senior consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at three leading hospitals in Mumbai, and also the honorary consultant for the Mumbai Police. I was conferred the Fellowship (Honoris Causa) by the RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists) of the UK in 2009, Fellowship (Honorary) by the RCPI (Royal College of Physicians of Ireland) in 2013,Fellowship (Hon) by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2014 and Fellowship of the National Academy of Medical Sciences. Currently, I am the Dean of The Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Emeritus Editor for the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of India. What advice would you give to youngsters? My advice to juniors is simple. There is no substitute for hard work and dedication.