On February 17, 2019, Association of DNB Doctors organized its first National Conference and Annual General Body Meeting (“ADDCON 2019”) with a theme of Affordable Medical Education and Health Care at Hotel Samrat, Chanakyapuri, Delhi.
ADDCON 2019 was attended by dignitaries like Dr. Jateen Ukrani who greeted the attendees with his presidential address, Dr. (Wg Cdr) Arvind Gautam and Dr. Vaibhav Bharat who enlightened about medical education in Pre NEET and Post NEET era. Governing body members of ADD - Dr. Teena Gupta, Dr. Tanay Maiti, Dr. Sudeep Koshy, Dr. Suvinay Saxena, Dr. Sapna Khare, among others were also present for the ADDCON.
In the conference, Air Marshal (Dr) Pawan Kapoor, AVSM, VSM, and BAR (Retd), Former Director General of Medical Services (IAF), Vice Chancellor of Lincoln American University, School of Medicine (LAU) was invited as Guest of Honor. In his address, he spoke about the need for affordable medical education in the country and how it can translate into affordable health care. He apprised the audience about the growing shortage of doctors in the country and the high fees structure of private medical colleges which make medical education beyond the reach of many meritorious students whose parents and families are not economically affluent.
During the conference, panel discussions took place on affordable medical education in the country wherein panelists Adv Amit Kumar, Air Marshal (Dr) Pawan Kapoor and Dr Grover discussed ongoing issues related to sky-high prices of medical education in India and the ways and means to combat them and make medical education affordable to masses.
During the panel discussion, Air Marshal (Dr) Pawan Kapoor stated that India to progress must remove obsolete regulations pertaining to medical education in this country. He felt there was a need to re-look at medical education in a holistic manner.
Air Marshal (Dr) Pawan Kapoor also stressed that clinical research should be an integral part of undergraduate medical education since it lays the foundation for the practice of evidence-based medicine. He emphasized that there should be one common parameter for assessment whether it is percentile basis or percentage basis for NEET(UG), NEET(PG) and FMGE (The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, also known as MCI Screening Test).
The panel discussion was followed by a debate on generic vs. Branded medicines. Dr. A. Prasad and Dr. P. Singh participated in the debate and enlighten the audience about affordability and efficacy of generic medicines.
In the meeting, Air Marshal (Dr) Pawan Kapoor treated the participants with his words of wisdom and experience in the field of medicine and spoke on the present and future of medicine in terms of affordability, the road ahead and where grounds for improvement exists. His inspiring words along with those of all the dignitaries and experts who presented their views and experiences induced and instilled a lot of encouragement and enthusiasm in the younger delegates. Air Marshal (Dr) Pawan Kapoor was honored by the Association in recognition of his contribution as a speaker in the conference.
Well, ADDCON 2019 proved to be a successful event that focused on a contemporary topic of relevance that aimed at making both medical education as well as health care delivery more affordable in the country with the ultimate aim of ensuring a Healthy and Prosperous India.
