REPORT OF THE FOURTH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE, IAOH,

PUNE 12TH JUNE 2016

Fourth Biennial conference, Indian Association of

occupational Health, Pune

12th June 2016

Report

Fourth Biennial conference was organised by IAOH, Pune on 12th June 2016 at Hotel Gateway by Taj,

Hinjawadi, Pune. Conference was arranged in association with IMA Talegaon and Lokmanya Hospitals,

Pune. Maharashtra Medical Council has sanctioned 2 credit points for the conference.

Theme for the conference was: “Taking OH to unorganized sector: challenges & Strategies”.

Objective of the conference was to share ideas for spreading the occupational health to the

unorganized sector, debating the issues and come up with the concrete proposals which will be helpful

to us in extending occupational health to unorganised sector. Scientific sessions of various specialities

related to occupational health were arranged.

120 delegates registered for the conference.

Registration Dr Raut welcoming IAOH(I)President DR G V Prabhu

Lamp lightening by chief guest Audience

Felicitation of DR G V Prabhu and Chief guest Dr N V Vaidya by Dr A S Kale, President, IAOH, Pune

Inaugural function held at 11.00 am started with auspicious lamp lightening. Dr Govinda Narke,

Secretary IAOH, Pune presented secretarial report. He highlighted the activities done IAOH Pune for

unorganised sector. In his Presidential address, Dr Kale President IAOH, Pune stressed on the

supporting research in field of occupational health by IAOH branches & necessity to work on IAOH

theme for entire year. Dr Kale also expressed readiness of Pune branch to host the national conference

in 2018. Dr SK Raut Vice President IAOH(I) mentioned about the history of IAOH Pune branch and

future plans of IAOH, Pune.

Secretarial report President, IAOH, Pune addressing the audience

DR Gopalghare IMA Talegaon President DR S K Raut ,VP IAOH (I)

DR R Rajesh VP IAOH (I) DR G V PRABHU PRESIDENT, IAOH (I)

Dr R Rajesh VP, IAOH (I) appealed to increase the memberships at individual branches as member is

the key for future of the organization. He appreciated the efforts of IAOH, Pune for organizing 4th

Biennial conference and offered whole hearted support to Pune branch for organizing national

conference in 2018. Dr Vijay Rao Secretory, IAOH(I) also appreciated the efforts of IAOH, Pune for

various activities.

Dr GV Prabhu, the President of IAOH (I) in his speech congratulated IAOH, Pune for selecting national

IAOH theme for Biennial conference proactively. He also talked about BOHS manual developed by

IAOH and work done by centre for bettering the occupational health in the country.

Dr Narendra Vaidya, CMD Lokmanya Hospitals, Pune was the chief guest for the inauguration. He

mentioned about occupational health activities around Pune city and shown keen interest to work

with IAOH for future endeavours.

Chief Guest DR Narendra Vaidya

Panel discussuion was held on theme of the conference. MR Shah, Prominent city developer

represented construction industry. MR B N Raskar, MD, Professional Agrotech which is one of the

largest floricultural firm in Maharashtra represented agricultural sector. DR Dilip Bhoge represented

IMA and DR R Rajesh represented IAOH.

Panel discussion was moderated by Dr Arun Kale and DR Sanjay Rotithor.

Panellists (from R to L) Mr Raskar, Mr Shah, Dr Bhoge , DR R Rajesh. Moderator-DR A S Kale & DR

Sanjay Rotithor.

Salient features of panel discussion:

Mr Shah from construction industry agreed that contract labour in the construction industry is not

getting occupational health benefits in big way, builders taking care of accident on site but not about

long term health hazards. Mr Shah also said he would like to work with IAOH in this regard and can

connect IAOH with CREDAI, Pune Builders association, Pune.

Mr Raskar mentioned about various health issues applicable to farming. He spoke about export

oriented farming sector like floriculture & informed about health & other facilities being offered to

employees. He expressed that IAOH can be medium for sensitizing the employers for such kind of

unorganised sector.

Dr Bhoge explained in detail about how these poor workers land up in occupational health risk like

snake bite, fall and injuries and lose their hard earned money and burdened by debt. He stressed on

the preventive health check-ups and safety measures for these workers. He also said IMA and IAOH

should work hand in hand for these issues and set an example.

DR R Rajesh commented on the unorganised sector in organised sectors. He mentioned that organised

sector provides basic facilities to unorganized workers. However same to become a norm everywhere

there is long way to go & IAOH should continue to work in this direction. Handholding with other

organization is also a right move to achieve this objective.

Deliberation and discussion during panel discussion

Important takeaways from panel discussion were:

1. Agriculture & Construction are 2 biggest non-organized sectors in India. Around 50% of

working population in India works in these 2 fields. Hence interventions should be focussed

on these 2 sectors mainly.

2. Prominent health issues observed in agriculture are Injuries, pesticide/ chemical poisoning,

reptile bites, Injuries by extreme climate & psychological stress associated with cyclical

nature of business. Similarly, construction sector has it’s own share of morbidities

associated with Injuries, backache, skin diseases etc.

3. It is agreed that, IAOH should work on creating awareness on:

a. Health hazards associated with specific occupation & preventive measures to be

adopted.

b. Facilities offered by employer for health protection & prevention.

c. Government initiatives for non-organized workmen especially for curative services &

health insurance.

4. It is proposed that a booklet could be prepared as a pilot project addressing issues

mentioned in point 3.

5. Health issues associated with migrant workers is also an issue which need to be studied

further to ascertain impact on personal & community health.

6. Induction of PHC doctors as well as general practitioners should be undertaken at all IAOH

branches thereby taking awareness to medical fraternity as well. This could be achieved by

collaborative efforts with other associations like IMA or GPA.

7. IAOH can also formulate health guidelines for recruitment of workers in view of demands

of certain occupations. It is agreed by representatives from sectors that this would make

difference in restricting worksite morbidity & mortality.

IAOH, Pune Oration was awarded to DR Vijay Rao, Secretory IAOH (I). His topic for oration was

“Radiation Health hazards”. He was awarded oration trophy by DR Raut SK on behalf of Pune IAOH.

Feast of scientific sessions was arranged for the conference.

In first scientific session NP Rao (MD Medicine) talked on Stress management in occupational health,

Dr Abhishek Karmalkar (MD Medicine) elaborated on trends in infectious diseases. Session was

chaired by DR Ranade and DR Amit Kulkarni.

Dr Narendra Vaidya (MS Orthopaedics) spoke about “New trends in joint replacement” with videos

which was very informative. Dr Suhas Kanitkar chaired the session.

In Second scientific session, Dr Suhas Hardas (DM Cardiology), spoke on “bypass the bypass), Dr Shona

Nag (DNB Med Oncology), talked on “Occupational Cancer and prevention of the common cancers”.

Dr Jayshree Todkar (MS Gen Surgery), Bariatric surgeon explained about “diabesity in industry”.

Session was chaired by Dr Neha Kulkarni and DR CG Shetty.

Third Scientific session was very informative and interactive. Dr S Prashanth, hand surgeon spoke on

“Hand injury management with recent advances”. Dr Vibhute, Liver transplant surgeon spoke on “you

and your liver”. DR Vivek Bonde (Mch Neurosurgery) talked on “Neurosurgery: Facts and Myths”.

Two papers were presented by Dr Sanjeev Saraf and DR Narke. Sanket eye clinic, Talegaon Dhabhade

have instituted a prize for paper presentation which was awarded to DR Saraf by Dr Rajendra Kulkarni

of Sanket eye clinic.

Very positive and encouraging feedback was received by the participants and speakers.

IAOH, Pune team

Dr Narke Secretary IAOH, Pune thanked all participants and supporters of the conference.

Conference ended with banquet, well enjoyed by the participants.

End of report