Srinagar hosts 11th international conference on Senior Citizens' Health

Srinagar, Oct 6: Srinagar successfully hosted the 11th International Conference on Senior Citizens' Health, GOSICON-2024, from October 3rd to 5th.

The event took place at the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, and was organised by the Geriatric Orthopedic Society of India (GOSI) in collaboration with the Department of Orthopedics, GMC Srinagar, and the Moul Mouj Foundation (MMF).

The conference, titled "Reconciling Mobility and Functions in the Elderly," brought together a diverse group of national and international experts to discuss cutting-edge strategies for senior care, with a focus on restoring mobility and enhancing the quality of life for the elderly.

The event attracted more than 346 faculty members and delegates from across India. This wide-ranging participation emphasised the importance of addressing the unique healthcare needs of the aging population. Participants included specialists from orthopedics, geriatrics, rheumatology, endocrinology, surgery, anaesthesia and other fields, creating an interdisciplinary platform to discuss issues ranging from ethical and legal concerns to holistic medical care for seniors.

The conference provided an academic feast, featuring workshops, paper presentations, poster presentations and rich discussions, all focused on advancing geriatric healthcare. The first day saw insightful workshops and training sessions conducted by renowned orthopedic surgeons such as Prof. Vijay Goni and Dr. S.S. Amarnath, setting the tone for a conference full of expert knowledge exchange.

In his address, the chief guest Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah, Secretary Health and Medical Education, J&K, expressed his admiration for the interdisciplinary approach of the conference, which brought together experts from various fields to focus on the healthcare needs of seniors. "This is a good initiative where experts from various disciplines converge on a single platform to talk about advancing healthcare. A patient does not belong to any department or doctor; the patient is a responsibility of every healthcare provider present," he said.

He emphasised the importance of empathy and care in treating patients, especially the elderly, noting that a doctor's caring attitude significantly influences treatment outcomes. Dr Shah expressed his gratitude to GOSI and its Founder President, Dr. John Ebnezar, for bringing such a significant conference to Kashmir. He also congratulated Prof Iffat Hassan Shah, Prof. Altaf A. Kawoosa, Dr. Zubair Saleem and Dr. Asif Nazir for their dedicated efforts in advancing academics, research, and promoting holistic healthcare, particularly in relation to senior citizens' well-being. Dr Syed Abid also inaugurated the E-Journal of GOSI during the conference.

Dr. John Ebnezar, an internationally acclaimed orthopedic surgeon and recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri, Dr. B.C. Roy Award, and Rajyotsava Prashasti Award, expressed his happiness at being in the Kashmir Valley for this landmark conference and thanked the doctors at the Bone and Joint Hospital for managing an enormous influx of patients. He praised Dr. Syed Abid for his visionary approach to healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir and lauded Prof. Iffat Hassan Shah, Principal of GMC Srinagar and Patron of the conference, for her leadership in organising the event.

Dr. Ebnezar also extended special thanks to Prof. Altaf A. Kawoosa, the Organising Chairman, and Dr. Asif Nazir Baba, Organising Secretary, for their unwavering commitment to advancing academic research and healthcare for seniors. A special mention was made of Dr. Zubair Saleem, Senior Geriatric Consultant, who was described as a pillar of support for the conference's success. He also praised the efforts of the Moul Mouj Foundation and its Secretary General, Dr. Shakeel ur Rehman, for their work in promoting the dignified and healthy aging of seniors, and expressed GOSI's intent to collaborate further with MMF to enhance senior healthcare.

Prof. Iffat Hassan Shah, in her address, emphasised GMC Srinagar’s commitment to continuous medical education. She highlighted the importance of keeping budding doctors and medical students informed about recent advances in medical sciences, ensuring that future generations of healthcare providers are well-equipped to address evolving challenges in senior healthcare. Prof. Iffat also extended her gratitude to all the delegates, faculty, and organizing members for their individual contributions in making the conference a success.

The scientific sessions were enriched by the participation of both national and international experts. The national faculty included notable specialists such as Dr. Muhammad Ramzan Mir, Dr. Muhammad Hayat, Dr Manzoor Halwai, Dr. Shabir Dhar, Dr Rajesh Gupta and Dr. Suhail Afzal from Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Dr. Dipak Dave, Dr. S.S. Jha, Dr. Sameer Mehta, Dr. P. Sigedar, Dr. L. Prakash, and Dr. N.K. Karne from other parts of India. International faculty members like Dr. Mohammad A. Mazaid from Cairo, Egypt, Dr. Sergio Rowinski from Brazil, and Dr. Rohit Rambani from the United Kingdom contributed through online presentations, adding a global perspective to the discussions.

During the conference, GOSI, as a part of its unique tradition felicitated Ghulam Jeelani Nehvi and Masooda Jalal Rajpuri for their contributions to society and their embodiment of healthy and dignified aging. This act of recognition is an integral part of GOSI's philosophy of honoring seniors and reinforcing the message that senior citizens deserve respect, care, and dignity.

The conference also provided a platform for emerging doctors and researchers to showcase their work. Thirty budding doctors and specialists had the opportunity to present their posters, while many others presented free papers, contributing to the academic richness of the event. The conference was accredited with eight CME (Continuing Medical Education) credit points by the JK Medical Council, further underscoring its academic rigor and relevance.

The three-day event concluded with the emphasis on mobility, functionality and holistic healthcare for seniors that made this conference a transformative experience. The outcomes of this event are expected to resonate not only within India but also internationally, contributing to the global discourse on geriatric healthcare. The organisers expressed hope that future conferences will continue to build on the foundations laid by this successful event, promoting comprehensive healthcare for senior citizens across the world.