Dr KK Aggarwal takes oath as IMA’s National President

Dr KK Aggarwal takes oath as IMA’s National President Promises to represent the best interests of over 2.8 lakh registered IMA doctors from across the country New Delhi December 28, 2016: Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal was today sworn in as the 88th President of Indian Medical Association today. Dr RN Tandon will support him as the association’s Honorary Secretary General. The Indian Medical Association is the largest representative organisation of doctors of modern scientific medicine in the world with over 2.8 lakh-registered members, 1700 local and 30 state branches. The installation of IMA’s new Governing Body took place at its 77th Central Council Meeting – NATCON’16 in the presence of Dr Ketan Desai – President World Medical Association, Dr Jayshree Ben Mehta – President MCI & Mr AR Kohli – Former Governor of Mizoram. Taking his oath as the new IMA National President, Dr K.K Aggarwal said, “It fills me with utmost pride and joy to take on the post of the IMA National President. I vow to take my work forward with dedication, integrity and honesty. I look forward to working with Team Digital IMA. The real strength of IMA lies in its unity and a collective commitment to the betterment of the medical profession, and it is for this reason that the theme for the coming year will be ‘IMA One Voice. The four A’s of universal healthcare- “Available”, “Accessible”, “Affordable”, and “Accountable” will be the guiding determinants of this our policies for the year 2017. Our fight against the unfair nature of the PCPNDT and Clinical Establishment Act, increasing violence against doctors, the undemocratic NMC Act will continue.” Adding to this, Dr Tandon, said that, “IMA has witnessed historic wins over the past two years. I assume this position with the promise to stay committed to the aim of restoring the nobility of the profession and working towards the best interest of the medical fraternity as a whole. This year, IMA will embrace the Digital India initiative by our honorable Prime Minister, and will work paperless from the forthcoming term”. Congratulating the new team, Dr Ketan Desai, President of the World Medical Association added that, “Team IMA 2017’s vision of becoming a digitally superior, cashless and transparent organisation is commendable and heralds a promising future for the medical fraternity. I congratulate the new team and as the World Medical Association’s President, promise my commitment to highlighting the key success and issues faced by the Indian medical fraternity at a global forum.” Mr AR Kohli, Former Governor of Mizoram said, “The medical profession is a noble one, and we must respect those who tirelessly work to help us stay healthy and alive. I congratulate Dr KK Aggarwal and look forward to a more efficient medical fraternity under his able leadership.” In 2017 IMA will continue to fight for its demand of capping the compensation provided in medical negligence cases, undemocratic National Commission Bill and a ban on non-MBBS and non-BDS doctors prescribing modern medicine drugs. Some key initiatives that will be launched this year include a mandatory request for organ donation under the ‘Poochna mat bhoolo’ initiative, auditing of preventable mortality and ‘think before you ink’ campaign in context of encouraging blood donations. Finally, ‘Jiska koi nahi uska IMA’ resonates the ideology that IMA holds above all- the greatest good is in helping those in need. With this vision, IMA plans to make affordable, quality and specialized healthcare available to all. This shift in IMA’s ideology from ‘What IMA can do’ to ‘What IMA should do’ will help foster more holistic and community directed goals and visions as IMA strives to touch new heights this year.

Dr K K Aggarwal National President IMA

Dear Colleague Big Thank You I thank all my mentors and colleagues for the confidence shown in me. I am both happy and tense so the responsibility given to me is huge and the time is only one year. But with the help of you all I am sure Team Digital IMA will be able to deliver. Our mission for the year is IMA 1 Voice. Let us all take IMA to a great height. Dr K K Aggarwal Following are the links 1. Website link : http://kkaggarwal.com/Presidential-speech.php 2. Presidential-speech- https://youtu.be/dxo7_Oi_l0E 3. ebook - http://kkaggarwal.com/28speech/index.html 4. HSG ACTIVITY REPORT IMA: http://module.ima-india.org/Natcon2016/hsgreport/ 5. 'Medico-legal Insights -IMA Legal Success Stories & White Papers’ : http://module.ima-india.org/Natcon2016/success_story/ 6. ‘STOP NMC - AMEND IMC ACT IMA Satyagraha 2016’ : http://module.ima-india.org/Natcon2016/stopnmc/ 7. Dr. KK Aggarwal taking over as National President of IMA: https://www.facebook.com/drkkaggarwal/ 8. IMA Natcon 2016 - Sister Shivani Verma On Self Motivation: https://youtu.be/qoDA0qjg2k0 9. Dr K K Aggarwal takes over as the National President of The Indian Medical Association: https://youtu.be/8gSq5fAgmrg

‘Walk with Doc’: IMA’s new National President launches programme aimed at encouraging doctors to go for morning walks with their patients

‘Walk with Doc’: IMA’s new National President launches programme aimed at encouraging doctors to go for morning walks with their patients
Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal was sworn in as the 88th President of Indian Medical Association yesterday New Delhi, Dec 29, 2016: Indian Medical Association (IMA) represents over 2.7 lakhs doctors practicing modern medicine spread across its 31 State branches and 1700 local Chapters. In an innovative step, the association has launched a campaign urging its doctors to ask their patients to join them in their morning walk routine. The move is a step towards encouraging patients and doctors to indulge in a more active lifestyle. Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and National President Indian Medical Association (IMA), stated that, “Sedentary way of life is slowly but surely killing us. We advise our patients to remain active and exercise everyday but seldom do they heed our advices. By asking them to join their doctors for a morning walk can be an encouraging step in encouragement. I request all doctors to invite their patients for a walk along with them in the park. This will enable the collective benefit of the doctor as well as the patient. Moreover, it will help foster an open and friendly relationship between the doctors and their patients.” According to WHO, approximately 2 million deaths per year are attributed to physical inactivity, making it the leading cause of disease and disability worldwide. It is also the leading cause behind cardiovascular diseases especially, in the younger population. “Earlier the focus was on heavy exercises and intense routines like running or cardio. Now, owing to the increasingly sedentary way of living, especially in the corporate world; the focus has shifted to ‘being on the move’. You should always find opportunities to keep moving, make it a habit to not sit still for more than half hour at a time. While at work take a walk often or get up from your desk now and then. 30 minutes of physical activity is essential everyday”, added Dr R N Tandon Honorary Secretary General IMA. Following are some tips to remain active throughout the day: 1. When there is a choice, always choose stairs over escalators and lifts. 2. Walk to your workplace if it is within a short distance. 3. Get up from your desk every few hours for a quick walk. 4. While at a lunch/dinner buffet, sit far away from the serving table. This way you will have to walk every time you need a refill 5. Do regular chores around your house; it is a good way to keep moving. 6. Move while talking on the phone. 7. Park farther away at the shopping mall and walk the extra distance.

Final Clarification regarding PC&PNDT registration of a person having done MBBS & other PG Degrees

Final Clarification regarding PC&PNDT registration of a person having done MBBS & other PG Degrees Withdrawal of earlier circular with error dated 23rd December and circulation of corrected circular An e-circular dated 23rd December, 2016 was mailed to IMA members on the above said subject. This circular inadvertently carried a factual error. In a line in the e-circular as follows: “This affidavit needs to be submitted with the application for PNDT Registration. However, they may NOT be permitted to carry out ANC Ultrasound”, the word ‘NOT’ had been missed out, which completely altered the meaning of the sentence. The final and corrected version may kindly be noted. This circular was published in All IMA Google Groups and eIMA. The error and confusion caused is sincerely regretted. The corrected notification is as below. Corrected Circular Govt. of NCT of Delhi Office for the Chief District Medical Officer South East District Directorate of Health Services Govt. of NCT of Delhi Delhi govt. Dispensary building PVR Complex, Saket, New Delhi – 110 0017 Email: cdmosoutheast@gmail.com F.No.13(07)CDMO/SED/PNDT/Misc/Part II/2268 Date 19-9-16 To All Medical Directors/Medical Superintendent/Directors/Owners PNDT Registered Centres South East District Govt. of NCT of Delhi Sub: Clarification regarding registration of a person having done MBBS and other PG Degree Sir/Madam, A letter from SPO, PC & PNDT, Directorate Family Welfare, Govt. of NCT of Delhi dated 11/8/16 vide letter no. F9/7/1/PNDT/DFW/o3/Pt. File II/4943-53 has been enclosed for “Clarification regarding registration of a person having done MBBS and other PG Degrees”. Under the PNDT Act, it is hereby clarified that all the specialties other than MD/DNB in Radio/Obstetric should be allowed to undertake ultrasound & can use Ultrasound equipments/Echo Machines in their concerned specialized fields if the Ultrasound equipment / Echocardiology Machine is required in that specialized field. The concerned Doctors are strictly directed to: 1. Do Ultrasound/Echocardiography only in their own field of specialization. 2. Do not conduct any ANC Ultrasound (Submit affidavit) 3. Will be allowed to do USG/Echo cardiology only at the centre for which they have been registered under PNDT Act with PNDT Cell, South East District. They however need to be registered with the PNDT & submit a self explanatory affidavit specifying the use of Ultrasound would be for so & so purposes and not for ANC check-ups. This affidavit needs to be submitted with the application for PNDT Registration. However, they may NOT be permitted to carry out ANC Ultrasound. This is with prior approval of Competent Authority. Copy to: 1. PA to District Magistrate cum District Appropriate Authority SED 2. SPO, PNDT, DFW, Vikas Bhawan II, Civil Lines, Delhi 3. DNO, PNDT, PVR Complex, Saket, ND – 17 4. Office Copy PDF copy of the department circular is also attached herewith

IMA’s new governing body led by Dr KK Aggarwal as the National President & Dr RN Tandon as Hony. Secretary General HO pledges to work towards an affordable and ethical medical practice

IMA’s new governing body led by Dr KK Aggarwal as the National President & Dr RN Tandon as Hony. Secretary General HO pledges to work towards an affordable and ethical medical practice New Delhi, December 30, 2016: The new governing body of the Indian Medical Association – Team Digital IMA 2016-2017 was sworn in recently in Amritsar led by Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, as it’s 88th National President. Dr RN Tandon will support him as the association’s Honorary Secretary General. Together they will represent the best interests of over 2.8 lakh registered IMA doctors from across the country The Indian Medical Association is the largest representative organisation of doctors of modern scientific medicine in the world with over 1700 local and 30 state branches. In 2017 IMA will continue to fight for its demand of capping the compensation provided in medical negligence cases, undemocratic National Commission Bill and a ban on non-MMBS and non-BDS doctors prescribing modern medicine drugs. They also stand united against the increasing violence against doctors and feel that a Central Act to protect doctors is the need of the hour. Awareness campaigns aimed at highlighting the unfair nature of the PCPNDT and Clinical Establishment Act will be launched. The real strength of IMA lies in its unity and a collective commitment to the betterment of the medical profession, and it is for this reason that the theme for the coming year will be ‘IMA One Voice. The four A’s of universal healthcare- “Available”, “Accessible”, “Affordable”, and “Accountable” will be the guiding determinants of the new team’s policies for the year 2017. Discussing the goals and visions of IMA for the forthcoming term, IMA’s National President Dr KK Aggarwal said, “I thank each one of you for entrusting me with this great responsibility and on behalf of the entire team I assure you transparent, efficient and effective governance. The year 2017 will be about embracing our Prime Minister’s vision of a cashless and digital economy. We will launch several training modules for doctors detailing ways in which they can ethically maximize their practice and work in the best interest of the public by going digital. We will ensure open communication between all IMA members and help them move towards a cashless practice. Several important programs aimed at providing affordable and quality healthcare will be launched. The best practices of the Indian Medical Sector will also be highlighted at a global stage through our representation in the World Medical Association and CMAAO.” Adding to this, Dr RN Tandon, the new Honorary Secretary General said, “We are committed to making 2017 a promising year for the medical fraternity and promise to work in the best interest of all IMA members and the general public. The medical profession is a noble one and we must all restore faith in it by being transparent and accountable”. Some new initiatives that will be launched in 2017 include: • Mandatory request for organ donation under the ‘ Poochna mat bhoolo' initiative. • For Vector Control, IMA will be launching the campaigns “Apkeghar me machhar to nahi” and “Katwaiga to nahi”. Community participation is a must for vector control. No house should be left unattended. The IMA campaign against mosquito breeding, especially Aedes, will be called ‘DENGwar’. • Hygiene: A large number of diseases can be controlled by teaching and practicing hygiene. The components will include personal, food, water, sleep, hand, sexual, pet, kitchen, cough, respiratory, and mobile hygiene. The campaign slogan will be “Kahinmeingandagi to nahifelaraha”. • “Aao School Chalen” will be a project dedicated to hygiene, vector control, and cardiac first aid(CPR). Thousands of lectures will be organized in schools at the same time on the same date acrossthe country. • IMA will start a Campaign 950 with the intention of bringing the female-to-male ratio back tonormal. • A Blood Donation Cell will create awareness about 100% voluntary blood donations. 1st July will be IMA Voluntary Blood Donation Day. Every state will have a Blood Donation Cell and chairmen of all states will meet regularly to promote blood donations in the country. • . With regard to the elderly and the oldest, IMA will start campaigns “Abhi to main jawanhoon” and “Forget me not”. • . To control non-communicable diseases, IMA supports high alcohol tax, 85% pictorial warning on tobacco packs and high tobacco taxes and introduction of sugar tax. The campaigns will be “White sugar is a slow poison”, “Move Move and Move” and “Glow Red Campaign”. • To help document and control preventable mortality, every preventable death will be duly audited. • The concept of ALERT- Acknowledge, Listen, explain, Revise and Thanks is being advocated as a routine practice in a clinical setting. Dr Anil Goel, Dr Vinod Khetrapal & Dr Ashwani Dalmia the new Joint Secretary were also present in the press meet

A year gone by: Much more needs to be done

A year gone by: Much more needs to be done

Dr K K Aggarwal
National President IMA
Today is the last day of the year 2016 and as we stand on the threshold of a new year, it’s usual to take stock of the year gone by and reflect upon what we have been able to achieve. It’s also a time when we look ahead to the New Year, full of hope and determination to further achieve our goals. My journey with the IMA has been more than two decades long. And, over these years, I have taken on progressing roles in the Association culminating in my role as the National President. It’s a role that brings with it huge responsibilities and challenges and as I embark on this new journey, I do so with your support and contributions. The strength of IMA lies in our unity and common commitment for the betterment of our profession, regarded perhaps the most noble of all professions. True to the theme ‘IMA 1 Voice’, I am sure that we can all speak as ‘one’ for the best interests of the medical community and also give it a global platform. IMA is the largest and a recognized association of professional doctors and one of the biggest medical NGOs in the world and is therefore a stakeholder in national health related issues and policies. Mattie Stepanek, an American poet and peace activist, who died at a young age of 13, said, “Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” Let’s together take IMA to even greater heights... My best wishes to you for a healthy, happy and successful new year 2017…

Monsoon season is the time to give our child a de–worming tablet

Monsoon season is the time to give our child a de–worming tablet New Delhi, July 30, 2016: During the monsoons, most of the worms in the soil come up to the surface and infect the vegetables. The associated humidity also leads to more breeding of house flies and mosquitoes.
It is thus important to ensure that all fruits and vegetables, are washed thoroughly with clean water and if needed Potassium Permanganate is added to them during the monsoon season to prevent illnesses, said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA.
Round worms are normally present in the soil and good sanitation is required to prevent their fecal contamination, which is often impossible in the monsoon season. Washing hands before meals and drinking boiled water can reduce the risk of round worm infection; but, in the India scenario, the same may not be possible.
The easiest way is to give your child a de–worming tablet 3–4 times in a year.
Treatment of school-going children with single dose of de–worming tablet every 3–4 months has been advocated in many countries. In a study conducted in Zanzibar, a single dose of mebandazole tablet given three times a year reduced round worm infection by 97%.

Bacterial infections linked to occurrence of manic episodes

Bacterial infections linked to occurrence of manic episodes

Dr KK Aggarwal
Individuals who are hospitalized with acute mania have a considerably higher rate of bacterial infections, as evident by the recent prescription of antimicrobial agents, says a new study published 17th July, 2016 in the journal Bipolar Disorders. Researchers analyzed recent prescription of systemic antimicrobial medications and the site of presumed bacterial infection in 234 individuals hospitalized for acute mania in either as inpatient or a day hospital. Patients hospitalized for other psychiatric disorders (n=368) vs controls (n=555) were also evaluated. • Patients hospitalized with acute mania had a substantially increased rate of recent antimicrobial prescription, defined as exposure within 3 days of ascertainment. • Overall, 7.7% individuals hospitalized for acute mania were prescribed antibiotics vs 1.3% controls. • Antibiotic prescription was associated with being on an inpatient unit vs being in the day hospital, and having increased mania symptom severity but not with other clinical ratings, demographic variables, or psychiatric medications. • The recent antibiotic prescription did not have any association with hospitalization for other psychiatric disorders. The urinary tract was the most common site of infection in women, while the respiratory tract and mucosal surfaces were the most common sites in men. Though the results did not show any cause and effect association, the authors suggest that the prevention and effective treatment of bacterial infections may be important interventions for the management of individuals with mania.

Updated HIV guidelines integrate treatment and prevention

Updated HIV guidelines integrate treatment and prevention

Dr K K Aggarwal

The International Antiviral Society-USA panel on antiretroviral (ARV) drug therapy for HIV infection has released updated recommendations, which for the first time, have integrated treatment and prevention. The guidelines say that ARVs remain the cornerstone of HIV treatment and prevention and when used effectively, currently available ARVs can sustain HIV suppression and can prevent new HIV infection. The guidelines “Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection in Adults2016 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society–USA Panel” are published July 12, 2016 in JAMA. Some key recommendations are: • Antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be started in all individuals with HIV infection with detectable viremia regardless of CD4 cell count. • The recommended optimal initial regimens include an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI) + 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Other effective regimens include nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or boosted protease inhibitors with 2 NRTIs. • ART should be started within the first 2 weeks after diagnosis for most acute opportunistic infections, with the possible exception of acute cryptococcal meningitis. • Reasons for switching therapy include convenience, tolerability, simplification, anticipation of potential new drug interactions, pregnancy or plans for pregnancy, elimination of food restrictions, virologic failure, or drug toxicities. • Laboratory assessments are recommended before treatment, and monitoring during treatment is recommended to assess response, adverse effects, and adherence. If ART is being initiated on the first clinic visit, all laboratory specimens should be drawn prior to the first dose of ART; resistance testing results should be used to modify the regimen as necessary. Recommended pre-ART tests include CD4 cell count, plasma HIV-1 RNA, serologies for hepatitis A, B, and C, serum chemistries, estimated creatinine clearance rate, complete blood cell count, urine glucose and protein, sexually transmitted infection screening, and fasting lipid profile. Genotypic testing for reverse transcriptase and protease resistance mutations is also recommended pre-ART. • Systematic monitoring of time to care linkage following initial HIV diagnosis, retention in care, ART adherence, and rates of viral suppression is recommended in all care settings. • Preexposure prophylaxis should be considered as part of an HIV prevention strategy for at-risk individuals. Daily, rather than intermittent, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine is the recommended PrEP regimen. Detailed sexual, substance use, and medical histories are important for deciding whether to provide PrEP. • The guidelines recommend vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B for those who are not immune and human papillomavirus vaccination. • Postexposure prophylaxis is recommended as soon as possible after exposure without waiting for confirmation of HIV serostatus of the source patient or results of HIV RNA or resistance testing. Postexposure prophylaxis regimens should be continued for 28 days, and HIV serostatus should be reassessed at 4 to 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after exposure.

Even cycling can cause erectile dysfunction

Even cycling can cause erectile dysfunction New Delhi, July 13, 2016: Age, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, high lipids, smoking, drugs, heart disease, and upright cycling for more than 3 hours a week can cause erectile dysfunction in men. "Those who cycle for more than 3 hours a week should do so in a reclining position and not upright position," said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA. A man is considered to have erectile dysfunction when he cannot acquire or sustain an erection of sufficient rigidity for sexual intercourse. Any man may, at one time or another during his life, experience periodic or isolated sexual failures. The term "impotent" is reserved for those men who experience erectile failure during attempted intercourse more than 75% of the time. Heart disease increases the risk for later erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction may be an early warning sign of future heart disease. Men with erectile dysfunction without an obvious cause (e.g., pelvic trauma), and who have no symptoms of heart disease, should be screened for heart disease prior to treatment since there are potential cardiac risks associated with sexual activity in patients with heart disease. Eight of the twelve most common prescription medications list erectile dysfunction as a side effect. It is estimated that 25% of the cases of erectile dysfunction are due to drugs. Depression, stress, or the drugs used to treat depression can result in erectile dysfunction as well. Neurological causes of erectile dysfunction include stroke, spinal cord or back injury, multiple sclerosis, and dementia. In addition, pelvic trauma, prostate surgery or priapism may cause erectile dysfunction. Anything that places prolonged pressure on the pudendal and cavernosal nerves or compromises blood flow to the penile artery can result in penile numbness and impotence. Cycling-induced impotence is primarily a problem of serious cyclists and is reported to occur in Norwegian men competing in a 540-km bicycle race. Penile numbness is attributed to the pressure on the perineal nerves whereas erectile dysfunction is thought to be due to a decrease in oxygen pressure in the pudendal arteries. Recreational cyclists, those who cycle for less than three hours per week, and men who cycle in a reclining position avoid the sustained intense pressure on the penile nerve and artery and are less likely to experience sexual side effects. Continued cycling in a seated upright position can reduce the penile oxygen levels lasting 10 minutes.

Service to the society and county is the best way to give back

Service to the society and county is the best way to give back Dr KK Aggarwal, Editor in Chief eMedinewS and IMA News in conversation with Prof Dr C V Harinarayan, Director, Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Thyroid and Osteoporosis Disorders, Sakra World Hospitals, Bangalore, Karnataka. Dr CV Harinarayan has been honored with Dr BC Roy National Award for the year 2009 under the category of ‘Oration’'. How does it feel being conferred one of the most prestigious awards in the medical field? I feel humbled and the society expects more dedicated work from me. Tell us about your journey so far. I was the first to document low vitamin D status in Indian population as a part of my DM (endocrinology) project thesis. Our studies showed that low vitamin D status of Indian population is the cause of bone disease in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. This work on primary hyperparathyroidism is quoted in many textbooks of metabolic bone disease. It is hard to believe that in a sun drenched country like India we have vitamin D deficiency. Later this fact was confirmed by many scientific workers across the country. Our landmark population study from south India is the FIRST and ONLY study till date to document the low dietary calcium intake and low vitamin D status in agricultural laborers residing in villages. Subsequently we documented by in vitro studies on ampoule model of previtamin D synthesis and showed that we as Indians can synthesize enough vitamin D on exposure to sunlight from 11 am to 2 pm, by exposing 10 to 15% of body surface area for 15 to 30 minutes. Our studies documented that correction of vitamin D deficiency and calcium supplementation can improve the pancreatic beta cell secretory function. Our work was the first to show that renal tubular damage is the major cause of metabolic bone diseases in patients with fluorosis (Ranked top 10 publications - year 2006 by Internet). The work with BARC, Mumbai helped to indigenously develop intact IRMA radioimmunoassay for parathyroid hormone in India (make in India concept). With all this background, we were instrumental in developing the “Clinical Practice Guidelines on management of Postmenopausal osteoporosis (2012-13) – Executive summary and Recommendations” for Indian Menopause society. We developed the Department of Endocrinology, SVIMS, Tirupati, (for nearly two decades) with a good dedicated endocrine laboratory infrastructure and now we have MCI recognized seats (two) for DM endocrinology. What were the early challenges faced by you in your career? How did you manage to overcome them? To convince the scientific community about low vitamin D status in Indian population was a major challenge. We conducted population studies in villages in and around Tirupati (Tirupati is nearer the equator and sun drenched most of the year) and showed low dietary calcium intake along with low vitamin D status in agricultural population. It is the first and only study (till date) of dietary calcium intake and vitamin D status from rural India. It would not have been possible but for the dedicated team work of students and staff of the department of Endocrinology, and support of the administration of SVIMS, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Tell us about your family. How important has been the role of your family in your journey? Family has been always supportive and encouraging in my academic work. What would be your message to the community? Service to society and community should be kept in mind of all health care professionals, so that it benefits a larger segment of the society. Given a chance, what changes would you like to bring about in health policies? India being a vast country with diverse cultural habits and limited resources, I would aim to provide adequate dietary calcium and vitamin D to all ages groups and both genders using available resources. What advice would you give to youngsters? Society and our country has given you the opportunity to get knowledge, the best way to return that is service to the society and county.

Treat your profession as a Vocation & not an Industry

Treat your profession as a Vocation & not an Industry Dr KK Aggarwal, Editor in Chief eMedinewS and IMA News in conversation with Dr Mohan Kameswaran, ENT surgeon and Founder-Director, Madras ENT Research Foundation in Chennai. Dr Mohan Kameswaran has been honored with Dr BC Roy National Award for the year 2008 under the category of ‘Best talents in encouraging the development of specialties in different branches in Medicine’. How does it feel being conferred one of the most prestigious awards in the medical field? I am really quite humbled by the award but view it as an encouragement for continuing my work. Tell us about your journey so far. What were the early challenges faced by you in your career? How did you manage to overcome them? My journey has been quite tumultuous and challenging and punctuated with achievements and frustrations. Although I started my career as an Otolaryngologist in 1981, much of my earlier years were spent outside the country. My real journey began in 1996 when I started the first Cochlear implant program in Chennai. Being one of the pioneers in this field meant facing a lot of challenges but also gave me a rare sense of satisfaction in playing a role in changing the life of many children. Seeing the happiness on the face of the parents, many of whom were themselves very young, when they saw their deaf child hear for the first time, was the ultimate reward for me. I sincerely believed that this technology needed to reach every nook and corner of our great country. The greatest challenges were the prohibitive cost, creating awareness and the scientific infrastructure. I put my heart and soul into achieving these goals. My team and I mentored over 50 cochlear implant centers in the country as well as in neighboring countries & the late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam honored me with the Padma Shri award in 2006. Today India has one of the largest Cochlear implant programs in the world with several states going all out to identify and “cure” deafness at the earliest age. My own state of Tamil Nadu has been in the vanguard of this medical and social revolution and it gives me immense pleasure to see my dream getting realized in my life time. The state of Tamil Nadu has accepted in principle a policy to create a “deafness free state” and I believe it is only a matter of time before the whole country joins this vision. I derive great satisfaction in realizing that I have played a small but significant role in achieving this vision. Tell us about your family. How important has been the role of your family in your journey? My family has played a significant role in my career and shaping my vision. Both my parents were also Dr BC Roy awardees and we, as a family, are probably unique in the fact that 3 people from the same family, father, mother and son have been recipients of this prestigious award. My father Padma Shri Prof S Kameswaran, former Director of the Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Madras Medical College received the award in 1981. Two years later in 1983, my mother late Prof Lalitha Kameswaran was honored with the same award. She was a remarkable lady who had many firsts to her credit. She was the First Lady Dean of Madras Medical College, First Lady Director of Medical education & the First Vice Chancellor of The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University. For all her achievements, she was a very simple person with a strong social commitment and saw to it that she transmitted those values to us, her children. My wife Indira has been a pillar of strength, sharing my vision and supporting me during my periods of frustration. I have 2 lovely children, a son and a daughter both of whom are brilliant in their own chosen fields. Both have a PhD from Ivy League universities in the US and are high achievers. God has been kind to me. What would be your message to the community? My message to the community is very simple. “Deafness is curable. The earlier deafness is detected, the better the chance of curing it. If you know any child who is born deaf, take every effort to motivate the parents to seek early intervention.” Given a chance, what changes would you like to bring about in health policies? To our policy makers, my plea is simple. Please involve the private sector in healthcare delivery. The private sector is not a competitor to Govt. programs or Institutions. With more than 70% of health care delivery being provided by the private sector, it is high time the Government partnered with the private sector to achieve optimum health care delivery to everyone in this country. This can be achieved only by introducing health insurance schemes, such as the successful models in states like Tamil Nadu and many other states. What advice would you give to youngsters? My advice to the young doctors is, “treat your profession as a Vocation & not an Industry”. The rewards in this profession are far greater than monetary. To the youngsters in this country, my advice is “follow the vision of our beloved Dr Abdul Kalam”. Cultivate self-discipline, for this is the secret of all great people.