IPPNW-Students IndiaPeace and Development through Health7th National Conference of Indian Doctors for Peace and Development
The conference passed resolution to demand immediate restoration of democratic rights in Nepal. The conference also passed resolutions on Health Care To All, Female Foeticide, National Missile Defense Programme, Conflict In Middle East, Communal Violence, Population Control, Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol, Iraq, Iran and the impact of new ordinance on patents on the cost of medicines. Commendations for the outstanding work were given to the NDMVPS medical college Nasik for the work done by the students; to IDPD Tamil Nadu chapter for their tsunami relief work and to IDPD AP chapter for successfully organizing the conference.
Students’ Conference The students’ conference was inaugurated by the speeches of Dr Ron McCoy, Dr Gunnar Westberg, Dr Mahesh Maskey, Dr L.S.Chawla, Dr Arun Mitra. Over one hundred students from different medical colleges of the country participated. Several students made presentations on : IDPD in Karachi – Ms Ankita Chaudhary (NSR) Medical consequences of Nuclear Weapons – Mr Amarendra Kumar (A.P) Peace Through Health – Ms Neha Venkatesh (Maharashtra) Health Through Peace – Mr Omendra Kumar (Bihar) Role of Youth – Ms Apurva Gosavi (Maharashtra) Role of Medical Students – Mr Gautam Naik (Maharashtra) People for Action in Health Awareness – Mr Sandeep Sharma & Mr Sunil (Delhi) Disaster Management - Natural & Man Made – Mr Ayush Kumar (Bihar) Disaster and War - Mr Prakash Pandel & Mr Pradeep (Nepal) Women Today – Ms Shweta (Bihar) Effect of Violence on Mental Health – Ms Kavita Zape (Maharashtra) Report of PSR Nepal – Mr Sandip Adhikari (Nepal) Report of Activists of IDPD students wing – Ms Priyanka Sara (Maharashtra) Presentation of students’ wing project 2005-06 : Road to Awareness – Ms Ankita Choudhary (NSR) Skit (Nuclear World) by Ms Mamta Goswami, Ms Suheir Khajuria, Ms Varinder Bal, Ms Shuruti Mahajan and Ms Jasmeet Sidh under the guidance of Dr Gagandeep. Following co-ordination committee was formed to carry forward the affairs of IDPD students group: National Students’ Representatives (NSR) Ms Ankita Choudhary North Zone: Ms Suheir Khajuria (Punjab)
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The 7th National conference of IDPD demanded complete abolition of nuclear weapons, end to arms trade, declare South Asia a Nuclear Free Zone and diversion of funds to provide health care to all. It was presided over by Dr L S Chawla, President of the organisation. Inaugurating the conference, Dr.Ron McCoy Co-President of the International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) called upon the medical personnel to come forward to work for peace, which forms the basis of any developmental process including health and education. Peace is not just a political issue but more so a health issue as health has been found to be most seriously affected in the event of war and violence. ‘We the doctors and the medical students have to come forward to strengthen peace and harmony’ he said. Delivering his talk on how the IPPNW has been working for this, co-president of the IPPNW Dr Gunnar Westberg said that while on one side we have been working to build public opinion against war and violence, we have also been lobbying with the decision makers through a direct dialogue with them in different countries.
Through this we have been able to appraise them of the dangers of nuclear weapons and thus the necessity for their complete elimination. Dr Mahesh Maskey Vice President of the South Asian Region of the IPPNW expressed hope at that improvement in relations between India and Pakistan, even though slow, is a positive development for the whole region. But, he said that the developments in Nepal where all democratic institutions have been suppressed is a matter of serious concern for the whole region as it can lead to further escalation of violence. Dr L S Chawla, president of IDPD in his remarks said that the South Asian region has become insecure after nuclear weapon tests by both India and Pakistan. During the visit to Karachi by the delegation of the IDPD on 12 December 2004 at the invitation of the Pakistan Doctors for Peace and Development (PDPD), both the organisations resolved to work in unison for elimination of these weapons and to declare South Asia a Nuclear Free Zone. Dr C.M.Habeebullah patron of the organizing committee said that the doctors have to work hard to put on end to all types of violence including the communal and caste related violence. Dr V.S.Reddy chairman organizing committee welcomed the delegates. Dr Janardhan Reddy presented vote of thanks.
Prof. Kamal Nayan Kabra, a leading economist of the country, in his address dwelt on how the military industrial complex is forcing wars for profits. The rich few in the world are at the back bone of the war mongering machinery to control the resources of the world. Mr.J.Sri Raman, a renowned journalist from Chennai explained to the audience the dangerous latest US doctrine of the pre-emptive attacks ‘to save the world’. The USA and its allies attacked Iraq on this pretext and further want to teach lesson to several others whom they call as the ‘rogue states’. This has made the world extremely unsafe. Mr.Praful Bidwai, a human rights activist and journalist said that ironically it is the poor and under developed countries who are engaged in wars and conflicts, thus further worsening their already existing deprivation.
In the scientific session on “Health Care in India-Past, Present and Future” Dr Satyajit Kumar Singh and Dr Ajay Krishan gave a detailed account of how the health care system has come to its present state from the ancient times. Dr M.R.Jape Principal NDMVPS Medical College, Nasik who chaired the session said that the biggest problem however is that nearly 80% of our population has no access to the modern health care. Participating in the panel discussion Dr Hayavadana Rao said that a comprehensive health care policy with orientation towards the downtrodden needs to be evolved if we have to provide health care to all. Mr Aziz Pasha pointed out that as a part of its policies the government is undermining the public sector units engaged in the health care. The latest ordinance on patent rights will make medicines beyond the reach of common man. Speaking in the session on “Health Hazards of Nuclear Weapons-From Production to Delivery” Dr M.K.Mahajan explained at length the dangerous consequences of these weapons right from Uranium mining and said that medical profession shall have no remedy to offer in case of a all out nuclear fallout.
Dr N S Bawa, who chaired the session said that public opinion is needed to be further strengthened for abolition of nuclear weapaons. Dr Sajeed said radiation from the nuclear weapons can cause gene mutations and pass the effect from generation to generation. Dr Satya Laxmi told that they have opposed the proposed uranium mines in Nalgonda area. Dr Sangh Mitra Gadekar said that their studies have revealed high level of radiations around the Jaduguda mines in Jharkhand. Speaking on the “Impact of Small Arms Violence on Society” Dr S S Soodan, Principal Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences, Jammu drew attention towards the painful scenario in Jammu and Kashmir where use of small arms has ruined the families, broken harmony and blocked development. Dr S L Shiohare who chaired this session called upon for a concerted effort to put end to all kinds of violence. Dr Sadanandam and Dr Shakti Kumar said that in any violence-ridden area people have to pass through lot of stress besides physical trauma. In the session on (Disaster Management) Dr Shanthi presented paper and demanded a comprehensive disaster management policy involving the society.
Awards were also given for the poster competition on BUILD SCHOOLS HOSPITALS AND A FUTURE - NOT BOMBS MISSILES AND DEATH. Apurva Gosavi from Seth KEM college and Hospital Mumbai won the first prize, Syed Junaid of Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences Jammu got the second prize, Sonali Jadhav from Seth KEM college and Hospital Mumbai bagged 3rd prize. Appreciation award was given to Asha Latha of the Govt. Medical College Ananthpur. Appreciation awards were also given to the students for the outstanding performances during the conference. The students of Govt. Medical College Amritsar were awarded for presenting the skit ‘Nuclear World’ and students from University College of Medical Sciences for their grass root work to create health awareness among the downtrodden people. 50 CDs on “Peace Through Health”, prepared by Neha Venkatesh, a student from NDMVPS medical college Nasik were released on the occasion for distribution among different state units. Dr Bharat Karia spoke on the importance of using cultural for the progress of the IDPD. He also presented some peace songs. Dr Jasvinder Singh recited a poem. 