Indian Academy of Paediatrics-Oxford University fellowship MOU signed in Kolkata
Times of India | 5 August 2024
Indian Academy of Paediatrics-Oxford University fellowship MOU signed in Kolkata. KOLKATA: On Sunday, a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between IAP (Indian Academy of Paediatrics) and Oxford University, England, to train doctors in Oxford under a fellowship programme. The agreement was signed in Kolkata by the two parties during a conference at Medical College Hospital Kolkata.
The MOU will facilitate Indian paediatricians to undergo a three-year fellowship programme in NHS hospitals in the UK which are affiliated to Oxford University.This is the first such collaboration between IAP and Oxford University.
“Under this Oxford IAP fellowship programme, doctors from India will get to spend three years to train in paediatrics including a year in a sub-speciality paediatrics subject,” said Dr Amit Gupta, a neonatologist who represented Oxford University and NHS.
The MOU was signed during an Asthma conference (ASTHMACON 2024) where IAP was represented by its president Dr GV Basav Raj, secretary general Dr Yogesh Parikh, and treasurer Dr Atanu Bhadra.
The IAP expressed gratitude to Dr Ranjan Pejavere, convenor of the IAP International Liaison Committee, Dr Vasant Khelkar, and Dr Amit Gupta for facilitating the MOU signing.
According to doctors the rising air pollution in the country is posing an increasing threat to the airway health, especially that of children as their lungs are still developing. Some of the airway disorders that children face include wheezing, upper respiratory allergy and allergic rhinitis often leading to asthma, bronchitis and other chronic respiratory conditions in the long run.
The ASTHMACON 2024 had paediatricians deliberating on childhood asthma, prevention measures, and new treatment modalities. importance of inhaler therapy and SMART (Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy) in severe cases.
Dr Atanu Bhadra highlighted the organization's efforts to raise awareness about asthma in schools, training them in inhaler use and encouraging the presence of First-aid boxes in every school to control asthma attacks.
Organised by IAP and Calcutta Metropolis Academy of Paediatrics experts including senior paediatrician Dr Apurba Ghosh, director of Institute of Child Health Kolkata spoke on the alarming rise in lung issues in children. Dr Dibyendu Raychaudhuri, associate professor of paediatrics at Calcutta Medical College was the organising secretary of the conference.
In addition, IAP also signed an agreement with the Bangladesh Paediatric Association, (BPA) facilitating exchange programs for paediatricians between the two countries to improve treatment outcomes. Dr Taraman Sabura, Dr Jahangir Alam, and Dr Rahul Amin represented the BPA.