Round Table Conferences on Topics of national Public Health Concern

The 29^th Round Table Conference on “Preventive and Promotive Health” was conducted on January 22, 2013 at the Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The conference was conducted under the convenership of Dr. Anoop Misra from Fortis CDOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, New Delhi and Dr. Nikhil Tandon, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. 

The Program of the Conference was divided into several sessions covering issues related to NCD prevention and Health promotion in multiple settings: community, schools and work places, as it is important to re-assess the measures taken so far at multiple settings for preventing and controlling NCDs, and to map out the way forward so as to manage the situation more effectively and efficiently. 

Dr. Jagdish Prasad, Director General Health Services, Government of India inaugurated the Conference. Key speakers for this conference were: Dr. K. Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, Mr. Amarjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi, Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Additional Director General, Health Services, Dr. Prashant Joshi, Professor and Head, Department of Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, and Prof. J.S. Thakur, Professor of Community Medicine, PGI Chandigarh, Dr. Pratima Murthy, NIMHANS, Bangalore.

The Conference received a good response from the scientific/medical community as well as from public. More than one hundred and fifty people participated in the conference.

The 30^th Round Table Conference of the Foundation on the topic “Lifestyle and Cancer with focus on Cancer Prevention” was held on November 30, 2013 at Dr. Ramalingaswami Board Room, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi under the convenership of Dr. Lalit Kumar, Professor & Head of Medical Oncology, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The conference was well organized and experts from various hospitals and research institutes were invited to deliver lectures on their areas of expertise sucha as epidemiology of cancer in India: current status; The role of cancer registries in cancer control;  Lifestyle, environment, genes and cancer; Genes, lifestyle and risk of overian cancer;  Potential role of curcummin in cervical cancer;  Curcumin for head and neck cancer; Preventing the rise of digestive cancers in India; Herbal medication for reduction of side effects of ehemotherapy; Natural dietary compounds for cancer chemo-prevention etc. A total of 225 delegates were attended this conference.

The 28^th Round Table Conference on “Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) : A Hidden Tsunami” was conducted on March 30, 2012 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in association with Department of Nephrology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi under the convenership of Prof. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Professor & Head of Nephrology, AIIMS. The conference addressed various topics on Kidney Disease such as Magnitude of CKD, CKD in Diabetes Mellitus, CKD in Renal Parenchymal Disease, CKD in Hypertension, CKD as Non-communicable Disease and its Prevention etc. Experts from renowned institutes were invited to deliberate on the topics.

The conference received a positive response from the scientific community as well as from the general public. A total of 165 people attended the conference.

27^th Round Table Conference on “Targeted Therapy in Malignancy : Where the Future is !” was conducted on November 12, 2011 at Dr. Ramalingaswami Board Room, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), in association with Prof. Lalit Kumar, Professor of Medical Oncology, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS. The conference was attended by leading experts in the area of cancer, who shared their experiences with the audience and discussed the way forward. The conference was deliberated on various topics like Targeting Angiogenesis, Potential Targets in Cancer Cervix, Targeting CD20 Molecule, Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma : Management – Impact of Novel Molecules, Multiple Myeloma : Management – Impact of Novel Molecules, Targeting Tyrosine Kinase and Signal Transduction Inhibitor, Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor, Rationally Designed Nanomedicines Targeting Malignancies etc.

The conference received a good response and was attended by around 200 participants from all over India. The abstracts of the conference were published and distributed during the conference.

The XXIV Round Table Conference of the Foundation on the topic “Polio Eradication : Challenges and Opportunities” was held on March 19, 2010 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in collaboration with Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Prof. T. Jacob John and Dr. O.P. Sood were the conveners of the Conference. The Keynote address "Polio Eradication: An Update on Progress and Challenges for India"         was delivered by Dr. Hamid Jafari, Project Manager, National Polio Surveillance Project, WHO, New Delhi.

The aim of the conference was to review the core eradication strategies, evaluation of major barriers in the intensified polio eradication effort, assessment of new strategic approaches, development and evaluation of new tools like bivalent OPV and injectable polio vaccine (IPV) including environmental surveillance to limit the international spread of polio virus. Besides these concerns, the experts also deliberated on the issue of development of post eradication policy. A large number of eminent scientists, researchers, clinicians, epidemiologist and public health experts deliberated on various aspects of polio eradication to share the lessons learnt from past experiences in order to facilitate planning of future strategies to achieve and consolidate polio eradication in India. A panel discussion on the topic “Polio eradication in India : Existing Gaps and Emerging Opportunities” was held as the last session in which specific questions about various facets of polio eradication were raised and debated. In the end frontline messages were delivered to give future directions to the policy makers, health professionals and public at large to show a way forward for eradication of this dreaded disease from India. The conference was attended by about 130 delegates from all over India.

Ranbaxy Science Foundation organized its XXV Round Table Conference on “Population, Health and Development” on July 13, 2010 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in partnership with Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (National Population Stabilization Fund), an autonomous body of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It promotes and supports innovative activities aimed at population stabilization by partnering with government and civil society.

Ms K. Sujatha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India was the chief guest at this conference and she delivered the Key-note Address.

The conference was attended by leading experts in the area of health and population who shared their experiences with the audience and discussed the way forward. The conference also has participation of health officials from all the major northern states.

Population growth has long been a concern of the government of India has a lengthy history of explicit population policy. The Government began its efforts in as early as 1950 and India was one of the pioneer nations in the developing world to have government sponsored family planning efforts. As we can see from the literature, all governments in India irrespective of their political affiliation has addressed this problem aggressively and have devoted tremendous efforts and resources for the last 60 years in this area. The government has long back recognized that the stabilization of the population is not a stand alone issue but is an integral part of general human development strategy which takes into account social, health and educational conditions. Despite the numerous resources deployed for health and development, India continued to have one of the most rapidly growing population in the world. We were just 350 million at the time of independence and now increased to 1.15 billion. Our expected population in 2030 will be 1.53 billion, which will be the largest in the world of a single country.

This forum was an excellent opportunity for various government officers and member corporates from the national level and the states of UP, MP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Orissa to join in the deliberations and to understand the issues related to Population Stabilisation in the country. They also have an opportunity to interact with health officers from the states to discuss the way forward in their states and areas of possible collaboration. The issue of Population, Health and Development, is not limited to the health sector alone. It impacts all aspects of development and the economic development of the country at large and therefore would be a cause of concern and interest for all members. The Conference was well attended by 140 delegates from all over India.

The XXVI Round Table Conference of the Foundation on the topic “Sleep Disorders : A Wake-up Call for Physicians” was held on October 9, 2010 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in partnership with Department of Medicine and Sleep Laboratory, All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Sleep disorders are common and may result in significant morbidity. Sleep deprivation when left untreated interfere with one’s work and social activities. It produces negative effects on individual’s physical and mental well being. It is estimated that over a hundred different types of sleep disorder exists. Diagnosis is based upon meticulous inventory of the clinical history, careful examination and the evaluation from sleep laboratory with polysomnography.

Dr. Atul Malhotra, Professor of Medicine, Sleep Disorders Research Program, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA was the Key-note Speaker of the Conference and delivered his key-note address on “Sleep and Human Health”. The Conference addressed the major issues related to sleep disorders like Physiology of Sleep Disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders, Parasomnias, and Narcolepsy.

This conference was attended by approximately 140 scientists, clinicians, public health workers and medical students from all over India.

The First Round Table Conference on "Dengue Outbreak in Delhi : 1996" was organized at the India International Center, New Delhi, on December 3, 1996, just at the time, when unprecedented outbreak of Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) that swept Delhi was on the wane. Fifteen eminent scientists from Academia, Research Institutions and Public Health Administration participated in the discussion to review the collective experiences of this epidemic, take stock of the lessons learnt and to be better prepared for the future in meeting such outbreaks and, if possible, to avoid them altogether. The proceedings of this conference were published and formally released for distribution by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Health Minister, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi at a special function organized at India International Center, New Delhi, on May 14, 1997.

Water-borne diseases poses a major and a continuous health hazard in India and other developing countries. These diseases are avoidable and controllable through the application of certain preventive measures and scientific knowledge. The Second Round Table Conference on "Water Borne Diseases : The Continuing Challenge" was organized at the India International Center, New Delhi, on August 1, 1997, with an aim to unfold the best scientific evidence on the causation, transmission, treatment and control of such diseases. Eight eminent scientists from Academia, Research Institutions and Public Health Administration were invited to participate in the discussion.

Leptospirosis is an environmentally acquired, zoonotic disease, and is emerging as an important public health hazard in India. The laboratory diagnosis, control and prevention of the disease appears difficult. No human vaccine is available. To review the existing state of knowledge about the disease and various approaches to early diagnosis and prevention, and increase the public awareness about the disease, the Foundation organized. Third Round Table Conference on "Leptospirosis" at the India International Center, New Delhi, on February 23, 1998. Thirteen eminent scientists from Academia, Research Institutions and Public Health Administration were invited to participate in the discussion.

The Fourth Round Table Conference on "The Changing Face of Malaria" was organized at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh on September 5, 1998. Thirteen eminent scientists from Academia, Research Institutions and Medical Colleges were invited to deliberate on the subject. The proceedings of this conference were formally released for distribution by Prof N.K.Ganguly, Director General, ICMR, during the fifth round table conference.

The focus of the Fifth Round Table Conference was on "Kala-Azar", a disease transmitted by 'sand fly' from human to human. The disease mainly occurs in humid eastern part of India; lately it has shown signs of appearing in other parts of the country as well. The conference was held on May 22, 1999, in New Delhi. Fifteen eminent scientists from Academia, Research Institutions and Medical Colleges, including Dr F.Moddaber of TDR, WHO, Geneva, were invited to deliberate on the subject. The conference was well attended by over 65 scientists from India. The proceedings of this conference were formally released for distribution by Dr C.P.Thakur, Honourable Minister of Water Resources, during the sixth round table conference.

The Sixth Round Table Conference was on " HIV/AIDS in India" was held on April 5, 2000 in New Delhi. Twenty eminent scientists, including Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont of Communicable Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand were invited to deliberate on the subject. The Conference was well attended by over 124 scientists from various academic research institutions, hospitals and medical colleges. The proceedings of this conference were formally released for distribution by Dr C.P.Thakur, Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare at a special function organized in New Delhi on Dec 1, 2000.

The Seventh Round Table Conference focused on "Tuberculosis" was held on September 28, 2000 in New Delhi. Seventeen eminent scientists actively engaged in this area were invited to deliberate on the subject. The Conference was well attended by over 165 scientists from India. The proceedings of this Round Table Conference were formally released for distribution by Prof. N.K. Ganguly, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi on October 15, 2001

The Eighth Round Table Conference on "Hepatitis C Infection"was held on October 15, 2001 at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi. The aim of the conference was to discuss the most recent advances that have stemmed out of individual's research work and that of others, and to convey clear messages, as to how, Indian scientists plan to address the outstanding issues facing India in the prevention and control of Hepatitis C Infection. Twenty eminent scientists were invited to deliberate on the subject. The conference was well attended by over 120 scientists from all over India.

The Ninth Round Table Conference on "Anthrax" was held on December 11, 2001 at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi. The Conference deliberated on the emergence of Anthrax worldwide as an agent of Bioterrorism and its current scenario with special reference to India. It also discussed the Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, Clinical features as well as Anthrax vaccines. The areas of post exposure Management & Chemo prophylaxis and Control of contaminated Environment were also discussed. Seventeen eminent scientists were invited to deliberate on the subject. The conference was well attended by over 130 scientists from all over India.

TheTenth Round Table Conference on "Leprosy Elimination : Critical Issues"was held on September 28, 2002 at the Jaypee Palace Hotel and Convention Centre, Agra. The Conference addressed various aspects of Leprosy in our country so as to formulate the best possible approach to eliminate and manage this infectious disease. The major issues deliberated during the conference are Global Scenario of Leprosy, Impact of NLEP - Indian Scenario, New Case Detection and Transmission, Clinical Diagnostic Problems in the Changing Scenario, Role of Laboratory Diagnosis in the Changing Scenario with special reference to Pathological diagnosis, Molecular Diagnosis, Evaluation of Standard Regimens of Drug Therapy, Alternative Regimens & Newer Drugs, Immunotherapy, Key Issues in the Management of Reactions & Relapse, Nerve Damage : Assessment and Current Management, Strategies for Prevention and Management of Disabilities, management of Eye Problems, Post Treatment Follow Up, Key Issues Relating to Persistance, Issues Related Rehabilitation in Leprosy, Can Combination of Chemotherapy & Immunotherapy Quicken the March of Eradication. Presentations made by various experts will be brought out in the form of a book in the future.
The aim of the conference was to discuss the most recent advances that have stemmed out of individual's research work and that of others, and to convey clear messages, as to how, Indian scientists plan to address the outstanding issues facing India in the prevention and control of Leprosy.
The conference as a whole was well received, there was an active participation from the audience and all the participants were in full appreciation of Ranbaxy's efforts in addressing national health issues and promoting science in the country. The conference was well attended by 85 scientists from all over India.

The Eleventh Round Table Conference on "Hepatitis B & Co-Infections"was held on December 03, 2002 at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi. The Conference addressed various aspects of Hepatitis B & Co-Infections in our country so as to formulate the best possible approach to eliminate and manage this disease. The moderator of this Round Table Conference was Prof. S.K. Sarin, Professor & Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi. The major issues deliberated during the conference are Recent Advances in Biology of HBV, Recent Advances in Biology of HIV and HCV, Prevalence of HBV and Co-Infections in India, Serological Diagnosis of Co-Infections, Molecular Diagnosis of Co-Infections, Viral Interactions, Clinical Impact and Natural History of Co-Infections, Immunopathogenesis of HBV and Co-Infections, HLA in Viral Infections of the Liver, Pathology of HBV and Co-Infections, Management of HBV Infections, HBV Mutants, Genotypes & their Clinical Relevance, Treatment of HBV and HCV and HIV Co-Infections, Newer Hepatitis B Vaccines, Advances in Vaccine against HIV, National Policy on Safe Blood and How Safe is Blood for Transfusion. Presentations made by various experts will be brought out in the form of a book in the future.
The conference as a whole was well received, there was an active participation from the audience. The conference was well attended by 130 scientists from all over India.

The 12th Round Table Conference on "India and the Global Eradication of Polio" was held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on September 26, 2003. The Conference assumes significance as Polio like Small Pox is at the verge of being eradicated globally. Distinguished speakers from WHO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, National Polio Surveillance Project, Enterovirus Research Centre, reputed medical institutes like AIIMS, New Delhi and Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi and Indian Council of Medical Research collectively reviewed the status of eradication of Polio in India and globally in the light of latest research and scientific developments.
A series of scientific sessions on the main topics of Polio Eradication, Vaccines Viruses and Need for Injectable Polio Vaccine were held. These scientific sessions were followed by a highly interactive one hour panel discussion on the theme of "Future of Polio Eradication in India" under the chairmanship of Prof. T. Jacob John. The panel discussion highlighted the outstanding issues related to polio eradication currently being faced by India like benefits and risks of continuing or discontinuing OPV after eradication of wild polio virus and on the need to introduce injectable polio vaccine for making polio a disease of the past. All the panel members were unanimously in agreement with their views on the future of polio eradication in India and favoured the ideal of continuing the routine polio immunization and the pulse polio immunization programmes till the time the wild polio virus is eliminated and introduction of Injectable Polio Vaccine thereafter in a phased manner. More than 130 delegates which included eminent clinicians, laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, pulse polio immunization programme managers and journalists participated in the conference.

The Foundation organized its 13th Round Table Conference on "Ethics in Animal Experimentation"on January 10, 2004 at India Habitat Center, New Delhi. The aim of this conference was to provide a forum where the research scientists, educationists and the social activists could echo their concerns and collectively review the issues related to animal experimentation in respect of the regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical / medical research & development and education on one side and the need of enforcement of law including the ethical conduct in the care and use of animals as laid down by the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments in Animals (CPCSEA) on the other side. The Foundation invited eminent personalities having rich experience in the subject to the conference to deliberate and deliver a diversity of view points on various topics / issues like historical perspectives, the rationale for animal experimentation, alternatives for animal experimentation, the ethical dimensions, regulations, policies, procedures and the code of practice. The idea is to evolve a balanced view on the subject and to make the law enforcement more friendly, in order to facilitate meaningful research by the scientists with minimal suffering to animals. The conference was well attended by 150 scientists, educationalists, social and animal activists.

Ranbaxy Science Foundation organized its 14th Round Table Conference on "Brain Disorders Across Life Span : Hopes and Challenges"on November 30, 2004 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The aim of this conference was to focus on the latest basic research in neurosciences in the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms underlying various brain disorders and to use the expanding knowledge in this field for discovering rational therapies and cure for these disorders. The conference was jointly moderated by Prof. P.N. Tandon and Prof. Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath, President and Director respectively of the National Brain Research Centre Society, Manesar, Haryana. Distinguished clinicians and neuroscientists from National Brain Research Institute, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, WHO, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Institute for Communicative and Congnitive Neurosciences and Vidya Sagar Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences deliberated on the current clinical scenario and potientials of treatment of various neurological and mental illnesses in the light of latest research and development. A series of scientific sessions on the main topics viz stroke in young, neurodegenerative disorders, Epilepsy and autism which are pertinent to the Indian scenario were held. The conference was well attended by more than 120 delegates from various reputed research institutes and medical colleges including the journalists.

The 15th Round Table Conference of the Foundation was held on January 8, 2005 at the India International Centre, New Delhi. The theme of the Conference was "HIV and Tuberculosis : Co-Infection". The conference was jointly moderated by Prof. N.K. Mehra, Professor and Head of the Department of Transplant Immunology and Immunogenetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and Prof. S.K. Sharma, Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine, All India Institute of medical Sciences, New Delhi. The aim of the conference was to focus on the latest research in the management of HIV and Tuberculosis and their epidemiological pathogenesis aspects in respect to the treatment and management and of the development of vaccines for these infectious diseases. Renowned research scientists and clinicians from abroad such as Robert Bollinger from John Hopkins Medical Institute, USA, John Fahey from University of California Los Angels, Renu Lal from CDC Atlanta and Sudhir Gupta from University of California Irvine, USA participated in the conference. The conference addressed the topics such as global and Indian scenario of epidemiology of HIV and Tuberculosis, determining seroincidence of HIV, natural history of HIV & TB Co-infection, reactivation as evidenced by DNA fingerprinting, immunoregulatory genes and HIV-TB infection etc. The frontline messages drawn out of the day long deliberations mentioned about the need to develop simple diagnostic procedures for HIV and also recommended integration of HIV/AIDS program with DOTS under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program.

Foundation’s 16th Round Table Conference on "Improving Access to Health Care : Reaching the Unreached" was held at India International, Centre, New Delhi on November 11, 2005. The theme of the conference is a great national importance. Over seventy percent of the country’s population resides in the rural areas. Unfortunately medical infrastructure, facilities, resources and specialist doctors are available in big towns and big cities. Women and children residing in the rural areas have the most difficult access to healthcare and at the same time the greatest need for it. These areas face high infant and maternal mortality rates. Awareness levels about antenatal care, diarrhoea, pneumonia, TB, STDs, HIV/AIDS are very low. People very often fall prey to the unsafe medical practices by the unqualified quacks and birth attendants. The aim of this Round Table Conference was to consider restructuring of the present health delivery system, eliminate financial barriers and explore the possibility of new technologies like telemedicine to reach out to the rural India to provide quality health care to the masses. A number of eminent speakers from various reputed medical institutes like AIIMS, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, PGI, Chandigarh, USAID, Tata and other prominent NGOs deliberated on various topics related to the health delivery system. In the end of the conference, frontline messages were delivered to give directions to the policy makers in the government so as to consider new ideas for making the health care system cost effective, convenient and accessible to all. The conference was well attended by 150 participants from all over India.

The 17th Round Table Conference on "Herbal Drugs Perspectives in the New Millennium" was held on March 25, 2006 at the R&D Centre of Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, Gurgaon. The program was jointly moderated by Prof. S.S. Handa, Former Director of Regional Research Laboratories, Jammu and Dr. C.K. Katiyar, Director, Herbal Drug Research, Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, Gurgaon.

Dr. Nityanand, Chairman, Ranbaxy Science Foundation delivered the key-note address on Herbal Drugs and its Perspectives in the New Millennium. Eminent scientists invited from across the country presented 15 scientific papers on various topics related to Standardization & Quality Control, Regulatory Aspects, Research & Development, Clinical Development of ASU Drugs and Doctrinaire Based Ayurveda. As many as 350 delegates including about 150 students from various pharmacy institutes viz. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Council of Medical Research, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Tibbia College of Ayurveda and Unani, Jamia Hamdard College of Pharmacy & Unani Division and media persons participated in the conference and showed their keen interest in Herbals which have become a popular way of holistic healer worldwide. A joint press interview with Dr. Nityanand, Chairman, Ranbaxy Science Foundation, Dr. Pradip Kumar Bhatnagar, Vice President, (NDDR Division), Ranbaxy Research Laboratories and Dr. C.K. Katiyar, Director, Herbal Drug Research, Ranbaxy Research Laboratories was also held by PTI correspondent.

The 18th Round Table Conference of the Foundation on "Diabetic Retinopathy" was held on September 17, 2006 at the Venu Eye Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi in collaboration with Venu Eye Institute & Research Centre. Diabetes is fast assuming epidemic proportions in our country. According to the recently released figures by the National Program for Control of Blindness, there are nearly 20 million diabetics currently in India. In addition, WHO has predicted that India will have the greatest number of diabetic individuals in the world by the year 2025 almost 57 million. Such a scenario will place a real burden on the country’s scarce resources, for as everyone knows, diabetes has far-reaching effects on almost all essential organs of the body. The conference covered not only the general aspects of Diabetes but also focused on the epidemiology and diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy. The delegates also looked at issues related to both the clinical as well as the newer techniques of surgical management of retinopathy. The conference was attended by about 100 delegates from all over India.

The 19th Round Table Conference of the Foundation on "Diabetic Retinopathy" (Part-II) was organized on December 2, 2007 at the Venu Eye Institute, Ramnagar, Uttrakhand, Nainital in collaboration with Venu Eye Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi. The conference was moderated by Dr. S.C. Gupta, Medical Director of Venu Eye Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi

The main objective of the symposium were:

Eleven scientists/doctors from various reputed institutes across the country participated in the conference. A total of four scientific sessions were held in which topics like Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes mellitus, Diagnosis and Management of Diabetic Retinopathy, Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy, Government initiatives in Diabetic Retinopathy etc. were discussed. The conference was attended by over 100 delegates which included local ophthalmologists, physicians, NGO’s, CMO, Nanital and other health officials of the district and officials of DGHS, New Delhi

The Foundation organized its 20th Round Table Conference on "Improving Access of Healthcare to the Urban Poor in India" on April 11, 2008 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in collaboration with Urban Health Resource Centre, New Delhi

The main objective of the conference was to facilitate discussion with the key officials of the Ministry on issues of urban health before the launch of National Urban Health Mission by the govt. and sharing of experiences of various health care providers in improving access of health care to the urban poor and to give recommendations to the govt.

The key note address was delivered by Mr. Pravir Krishn, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi and the topic of his key note address was. "Gearing up for a National Urban Health Mission". The inaugural session of the conference was addressed by key officials from the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, National Rural Health Mission, Urban Health Resource Centre and USAID. A large number of experts drawn from the govt., NGO sector, Civic bodies and the private sector participated in the discussions during the course of the main scientific session on the topic "Strengthening Access of Primary Healthcare to the Urban Poor" which was followed by a panel discussion on "Inter and Intra Sectoral Coordination and Convergence for ensuring Access to Primary Health care for the Urban Poor". A total of about 160 delegates participated actively in the conference

The XXI Round Table Conference on “Lifestyle and Cancer” was held at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi on November 28, 2008. The Moderator of the Round Table Conference was Prof. Lalit Kumar, Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi . Prof. K.S. Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India was the key-note speaker. Prof. Reddy delivered his key-note address on “Cancer and Living Habits: From Science To Policy and Public Health Action”

The Program for the conference was designed by an expert committee under the leadership of Prof. Lalit Kumar. The conference was mainly divided into three sessions like Lifestyle and Common Cancers in India, Risk Factor Determinants, Modification of Lifestyle for Prevention of Cancers. This conference helped to create public awareness by unraveling the evidence based relationship between diet, lifestyle and common cancers. Eminent scientists and clinicians from Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, New Delhi, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, Adyar Cancer Institute Chennai, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Apollo Hospital, Delhi, Fortis Hospital, New Delhi Indian Council of Medical Research New Delhi, SRM Medical University, Chennai were deliberated on various topics like Gastro-intestinal Tract Cancers, Breast and Ovarian Cancers, Cervical and Uterus Cancers, Head and Neck Cancers, Lung and Cancers of Uro-genital systems, Hematological Malignancies, Bio-chemical Risk Factor Determinants, Immunological Risk Factor determinants, Molecular Risk Factor Determinants, Life style Modification in Childhood : Key Success for Prevention of Adult Cancers, Dietary Modification for Prevention of Cancer, Weight Management & Exercise for Prevention of Cancer, Modern Gadgets, Art of Living for Cancer Prevention. This conference was well attended by over 150 clinicians, scientists and medical students from all over India.

The Foundation organized its XXII Round Table Conference on “Challenges of MDR/XDR Tuberculosis in India” at the India Habitat Centre on December 13, 2008. Prof. T. Jacob John, former Professor of Virology, Christian Medical College, Vellore and Prof. S. K. Sharma, Professor & Head, Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi were the conveners of this Round Table Conference. Prof. Paul Nunn, Coordinator, TB/HIV and Drug Resistance Unit, Stop TB Deptt., WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, was the key-note speaker. The title of Prof. Paul Nunn’s Key-note Address was “Global Scenario of MDR/XDR Tuberculosis”.

The program of this conference was designed by an expert committee headed by Prof. T. Jacob John and Prof. S.K. Sharma. The aim of the conference was to bring together national experts on MDR and XDR – TB so as to assess the seriousness of the situation, define the problems and identify solutions. The conference mainly dealt with three sessions - Indian Scenario of MDR/XDR Tuberculosis, Diagnosis and Management of MDR/XDR Tuberculosis, and Programmatic Challenges of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis with sub topics Epidemiology Data from NCR and Neighboring States, Uttar Pradesh and Eastern States, XDR TB data from a Referral Tertiary Care Hospital in Mumbai, Southern States, Therapeutic Challenges in the Management of MDR and XDR Tuberculosis, Diagnosis of Tuberculosis – Conventional Methods, Molecular Diagnosis of Tuberculosis, Current Status of New Drugs for MDR and XDR Tuberculosis, Role of Vaccines and Immunomodulation in Tuberculosis, Current Problems Perceived by RNTCP in Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, Potentials for Public Private Partnership in Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.

At the end of the conference, there was a Panel discussion where the issues like Pediatric Tuberculosis, Annual Risk of Infection, Activation/Re-infection, Airborne Infection: Control Measures for Health Care Workers were discussed at length and deep. Experts from Speciality Ranbaxy Ltd.; King George Medical University, Lucknow, P.D. Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, Christian Medical College, Vellore, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, University of Hyderabad, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, University of Delhi, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, Tuberculosis Research Centre, Chennai, National Tuberculosis Institute, Bangalore, LRS TB Hospital, Delhi were deliberated during the conference. Following recommendations were emerged from this Round Table Conference.

-          Highest priority to sustained high quality DOTS implementation in the country for preventing emergence of MDR& XDR – TB in the community

-           -  Combine primary health care with TB control by linking all health care providers to the Revised National Tuberculosis control Program.

-           -  Improve laboratory capacity to diagnose MDR-XDR, explore new diagnostic technologies

-           -  Provide effective treatment of MDR- TB through DOTS PLUS for prevention of XDR- TB

-           -  Ensure supply and availability of second line anti TB drugs in India

Ranbaxy Science Foundation organized its XXIII Round Table Conference on “Pandemic Influenza Update” at the India Habitat Centre on September 19, 2009 in collaboration with Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences,New Delhi. Prof. T. Jacob John, former Professor of Virology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Prof. Shobha Broor, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Virology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and Dr. O.P. Sood from Ranbaxy Science Foundation were the conveners of this Round Table Conference.

Dr. Jai P. Narain, Director, Department of Communicable Diseases, WHO-SEARO, New Delhi, was the key-note speaker. The title of Dr. Narain’s Key-note Address was “Global Scenario of H1 N1 Pandemic Influenza”.

It is for the first time in history that the world was able to watch an influenza pandemic approach, evolve and spread globally. India had developed a pandemic preparedness and response plan in 2004 and had revised it soon after the WHO declaration of the pandemic. The main objective of this Round Table Conference was to review the progression of the pandemic as it affects the world in general and India in particular, successes and failures, the lessons learnt so far and to redefine our preparedness plan for such pandemics in future.

This was the first open forum of scientists and public health experts on the pandemic in India organized by Ranbaxy Science Foundation. The first two sessions of the conference embraced all important aspects of the pandemic like the global scenario, pandemic epidemiology, clinical features and potential of vaccines. The last session, a panel discussion on national perspectives brought out various aspects of India’s response to the pandemic. As many as 150 delegates comprising of epidemiologists, clinicians, laboratory scientists, policy makers, public health experts and media personalities participated in the conference. At the end of the conference frontline messages were brought out to give directions to the government, policy makers and public at large.

The XXIV Round Table Conference of the Foundation on the topic “Polio Eradication : Challenges and Opportunities” was held on March 19, 2010 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in collaboration with Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Prof. T. Jacob John and Dr. O.P. Sood were the conveners of the Conference. The Keynote address "Polio Eradication: An Update on Progress and Challenges for India"         was delivered by Dr. Hamid Jafari, Project Manager, National Polio Surveillance Project, WHO, New Delhi.

The aim of the conference was to review the core eradication strategies, evaluation of major barriers in the intensified polio eradication effort, assessment of new strategic approaches, development and evaluation of new tools like bivalent OPV and injectable polio vaccine (IPV) including environmental surveillance to limit the international spread of polio virus. Besides these concerns, the experts also deliberated on the issue of development of post eradication policy. A large number of eminent scientists, researchers, clinicians, epidemiologist and public health experts deliberated on various aspects of polio eradication to share the lessons learnt from past experiences in order to facilitate planning of future strategies to achieve and consolidate polio eradication in India. A panel discussion on the topic “Polio eradication in India : Existing Gaps and Emerging Opportunities” was held as the last session in which specific questions about various facets of polio eradication were raised and debated. In the end frontline messages were delivered to give future directions to the policy makers, health professionals and public at large to show a way forward for eradication of this dreaded disease from India. The conference was attended by about 130 delegates from all over India.

Ranbaxy Science Foundation organized its XXV Round Table Conference on “Population, Health and Development” on July 13, 2010 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in partnership with Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (National Population Stabilization Fund), an autonomous body of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It promotes and supports innovative activities aimed at population stabilization by partnering with government and civil society.

Ms K. Sujatha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India was the chief guest at this conference and she delivered the Key-note Address.

The conference was attended by leading experts in the area of health and population who shared their experiences with the audience and discussed the way forward. The conference also has participation of health officials from all the major northern states.

Population growth has long been a concern of the government of India has a lengthy history of explicit population policy. The Government began its efforts in as early as 1950 and India was one of the pioneer nations in the developing world to have government sponsored family planning efforts. As we can see from the literature, all governments in India irrespective of their political affiliation has addressed this problem aggressively and have devoted tremendous efforts and resources for the last 60 years in this area. The government has long back recognized that the stabilization of the population is not a stand alone issue but is an integral part of general human development strategy which takes into account social, health and educational conditions. Despite the numerous resources deployed for health and development, India continued to have one of the most rapidly growing population in the world. We were just 350 million at the time of independence and now increased to 1.15 billion. Our expected population in 2030 will be 1.53 billion, which will be the largest in the world of a single country.

This forum was an excellent opportunity for various government officers and member corporates from the national level and the states of UP, MP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Orissa to join in the deliberations and to understand the issues related to Population Stabilisation in the country. They also have an opportunity to interact with health officers from the states to discuss the way forward in their states and areas of possible collaboration. The issue of Population, Health and Development, is not limited to the health sector alone. It impacts all aspects of development and the economic development of the country at large and therefore would be a cause of concern and interest for all members. The Conference was well attended by 140 delegates from all over India.

The XXVI Round Table Conference of the Foundation on the topic “Sleep Disorders : A Wake-up Call for Physicians” was held on October 9, 2010 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in partnership with Department of Medicine and Sleep Laboratory, All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Sleep disorders are common and may result in significant morbidity. Sleep deprivation when left untreated interfere with one’s work and social activities. It produces negative effects on individual’s physical and mental well being. It is estimated that over a hundred different types of sleep disorder exists. Diagnosis is based upon meticulous inventory of the clinical history, careful examination and the evaluation from sleep laboratory with polysomnography.

Dr. Atul Malhotra, Professor of Medicine, Sleep Disorders Research Program, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, USA was the Key-note Speaker of the Conference and delivered his key-note address on “Sleep and Human Health”. The Conference addressed the major issues related to sleep disorders like Physiology of Sleep Disorder, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders, Parasomnias, and Narcolepsy.

This conference was attended by approximately 140 scientists, clinicians, public health workers and medical students from all over India.

27^th Round Table Conference on “Targeted Therapy in Malignancy : Where the Future is !” was conducted on November 12, 2011 at Dr. Ramalingaswami Board Room, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), in association with Prof. Lalit Kumar, Professor of Medical Oncology, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS. The conference was attended by leading experts in the area of cancer, who shared their experiences with the audience and discussed the way forward. The conference was deliberated on various topics like Targeting Angiogenesis, Potential Targets in Cancer Cervix, Targeting CD20 Molecule, Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma : Management – Impact of Novel Molecules, Multiple Myeloma : Management – Impact of Novel Molecules, Targeting Tyrosine Kinase and Signal Transduction Inhibitor, Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor, Rationally Designed Nanomedicines Targeting Malignancies etc.

The conference received a good response and was attended by around 200 participants from all over India. The abstracts of the conference were published and distributed during the conference.

The 28^th Round Table Conference on “Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) : A Hidden Tsunami” was conducted on March 30, 2012 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in association with Department of Nephrology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi under the convenership of Prof. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Professor & Head of Nephrology, AIIMS. The conference addressed various topics on Kidney Disease such as Magnitude of CKD, CKD in Diabetes Mellitus, CKD in Renal Parenchymal Disease, CKD in Hypertension, CKD as Non-communicable Disease and its Prevention etc. Experts from renowned institutes were invited to deliberate on the topics.

The conference received a positive response from the scientific community as well as from the general public. A total of 165 people attended the conference.

The 29^th Round Table Conference on “Preventive and Promotive Health” was conducted on January 22, 2013 at the Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The conference was conducted under the convenership of Dr. Anoop Misra from Fortis CDOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, New Delhi and Dr. Nikhil Tandon, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. 

The Program of the Conference was divided into several sessions covering issues related to NCD prevention and Health promotion in multiple settings: community, schools and work places, as it is important to re-assess the measures taken so far at multiple settings for preventing and controlling NCDs, and to map out the way forward so as to manage the situation more effectively and efficiently. 

Dr. Jagdish Prasad, Director General Health Services, Government of India inaugurated the Conference. Key speakers for this conference were: Dr. K. Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, Mr. Amarjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi, Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Additional Director General, Health Services, Dr. Prashant Joshi, Professor and Head, Department of Medicine, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College, Nagpur, and Prof. J.S. Thakur, Professor of Community Medicine, PGI Chandigarh, Dr. Pratima Murthy, NIMHANS, Bangalore.

The Conference received a good response from the scientific/medical community as well as from public. More than one hundred and fifty people participated in the conference.

The 30^th Round Table Conference of the Foundation on the topic “Lifestyle and Cancer with focus on Cancer Prevention” was held on November 30, 2013 at Dr. Ramalingaswami Board Room, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi under the convenership of Dr. Lalit Kumar, Professor & Head of Medical Oncology, Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The conference was well organized and experts from various hospitals and research institutes were invited to deliver lectures on their areas of expertise sucha as epidemiology of cancer in India: current status; The role of cancer registries in cancer control;  Lifestyle, environment, genes and cancer; Genes, lifestyle and risk of overian cancer;  Potential role of curcummin in cervical cancer;  Curcumin for head and neck cancer; Preventing the rise of digestive cancers in India; Herbal medication for reduction of side effects of ehemotherapy; Natural dietary compounds for cancer chemo-prevention etc. A total of 225 delegates were attended this conference.