Report of AHPCON 2018

The 3rd National Allied Health Professionals’ Conference AHPCON-2018, was organized by Joint Forum of Medical Technologists of India (JFMTI), from 16th-18th April, 2018 at Bhargava Auditorium-Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research,(PGIMER), Chandigarh (India). More than 500 delegates/faculty attended the conference. The theme of Conference was “Educating Tomorrows Healthcare leaders – Transforming Technology”.

A galaxy of distinguished guests and dignitaries from Ministry of Health, Government of India graced the occasion. The Chief Guest Dr. Ajai Kumar, Deputy Director General (DDG) Medical Education, MOH&FW, GOI, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi, presided over the function. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Dean (Academics), PGIMER, Chd., Dr.A.Rajwanshi, Dean (Research) PGIMER, Chd., and Dr.G.D.Puri, Sub-Dean (Acad) in addition to various other invited eminent faculty members from India and abroad were the guests of honor. Dignitaries present on the occasion released Souvenir cum Abstract Book of AHPCON-2018.

It was a National Scientific and Professional event, organized jointly by all major stake holders of unregulated Allied Health Profession, representing JFMTI, with an objective of deliberating upon the common national allied healthcare issues related to the betterment of Biomedical sciences and medical technology professions in India. In addition to professional discussions, more than 50 Scientific papers including Poster presentations and about 10 Plenary lectures were presented during the conference on different topics concerning Biomedical Sciences relevant to Medical Lab. Sciences, Radiology & Imaging, Radiation Therapy, Dialysis and Operation Theatre Technology.

The Conference was a great academic feast, one of its kind, for the benefit of all Allied Health Professionals including teaching faculty and students in order to exchange the knowledge about their specialization in their respective fields, face to face.

Dr. Pankaj Kaul, Organising Secretary AHPCON-2018 cum President JFMTI, welcomed the Honorable guests and delegates. He thanked each and every one for their contributions, opinions and inputs in helping achieve the milestones JFMTI have cherished, over the past couple of years.

He added, an emotional landmark was the Ministry-designated change in the definition from ‘paramedic’ to ‘Allied health professionals’. This has had far-reaching effects, not just in terms of awareness by the change in the name of the section from Paramedical Sciences (PMS) to Allied Health Sciences (AHS), but it is now also reflected in the terminology used in all Ministry documentation. The change of name in designation from Technician to Technologist, will be included hopefully in the vocabulary of PGIMER, Chd. in near future..

Further to this, MoHFW had constituted a “National Curricula Redesign Taskforce” for each profession, having experts from JFMTI, to guide and direct the process of revamping national Medical Technology curricula. Task force committees were mandated with the enormous task of designing not just model curricula for their respective professions, but career pathways and job roles in various sectors and for various levels based on qualification and experience, and the definition and standard nomenclature for each profession, for standardization, which received a very healthy response from all corners and is being implemented by various institutions, slowly but surely. PGIMER, Chd. has taken a very positive step in this regard and will come out with implementation of the same shortly.

President, JFMTI asserted that we still have many challenges ahead to face e.g

1. National Medical Council Bill, though not related to us, yet it is right time to highlight about our pending bill to law makers for which we have submitted our point of view recently.
2. PCA/HPCA matter is being taken up at all levels, what so ever.
3. Central Council matter which is our core issue, for which a parliament question is being raised for its update
4. Draconian Clinical Establishment Act fostered by MCI with the support of Supreme court is seriously affecting our clinical establishments across the country, is being defended on all fronts
5. Sub standard Skill development programs are affecting all Allied Health Professionals, each day.

Besides all these issues, he said we are performing our duties regularly in our respective departments, when most of us too, are at a very responsible positions of Health care system.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a part of its ongoing agenda is making concrete efforts in ensuring standardization and regulation for Allied Healthcare professionals by coordinating with all relevant stakeholders including JFMTI.

Keeping in view of the above, the present convention, he asserted should discuss the current needs of the Biomedical science and at the same time he wished the delegates also gets enriched in academic knowledge and take home memorable experience for better patient care.

Last but not the least, on behalf of the Joint Forum of Medical Technologists of India (JFMTI) team, he prayed for each one of the delegate and their families a very happy moments and a joyous year full of prosperity and success.

Mr. Kaptan S. Sehrawat, Chairperson AHPCON-2018, in his deliberation briefed the scenario of working conditions of Medical Technologists, prevailing in the country and proposed better provision for the Technocrats, in order to produce quality Technologists. He further opined about the global perspective of Accreditation in Biomedical Sciences and its momentousness in Health care. He asserted that advances in medicine for the past decade have been due to advances in Biomedical Technology Services including Diagnostic Clinical Establishments. Modern Medicine is becoming more and more teamwork, with Biomedical Technologist as an important member of this professional team. Due to delay in the enactment of National perspective of Central Council for Biomedical Technology, any improvement in quality of health care is impossible. He also highlighted the present unabated mushrooming of illegal paramedical institutes, who neither have any infrastructure nor any qualified staff. Under such circumstances it becomes a moral responsibility of institutes like PGIMER, Chandigarh, JIPMER, Pudducherry and AIIMS, New Delhi to assert on the issue.

Prof. G.D Puri, Sub. Dean (Academic) cum Head, Deptt. of Anaesthesia congratulated the organizing committee members of 3rd Biennial and Scientific Seminar cum CME of JFMTI, for their efforts in spreading awareness about the important role of Medical Technologists in fundamental Health Care for minimizing patients’ stay in Hospital. Thereby it will increase the capacity of hospitals to accommodate more patients in the existing infrastructure.

Prof. A. Rajwanshi, Dean (Research), PGIMER, Chd., in his message conveyed that diagnostic facilities play a vital role in the modern day medicine and the Allied Health Care Services provide a direct insight into human functions — normal/ abnormal, at cellular, genetic, molecular and biochemical level. The Medical Technologists are the backbone of these services, which through their expertise and dedicated work, not only assists the physicians, but also directly helps to alleviate misery of the suffering mankind. He appreciated the efforts taken by JFMTI to educate masses in a novel way and at the same time arrange Continuing Professional Development Programme through various post conference workshops.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Ajai Kumar (DDG, Medical Education) MOH&FW, GOI, New Delhi, along with other dignitaries congratulated the organizers of JFMTI for their efforts of common interest in patient care. He applauded the vision behind the mission. He extended his whole hearted support for all key issues raised by JFMTI for standardization of education and services of Allied Health Professionals. He announced that since comprehensive syllabus for Laboratory Profession is available with Ministry of Health for streamlining Allied Health Professional’s Medical Education, in India. Time is not far away for setting up a Central Council for Allied Health Professionals for settling Allied health professional hierarchy and job opportunities. Further in his deliberation he said that such conferences, as a matter of fact are a great opportunity for Biomedical Technocrat Professionals to interact and share the knowledge in the backdrop of continuous advances in Biomedical Technology. The eminent invited guest faculty/ speakers shall be sharing their rich experiences, as to how the Medical Technologists should adopt themselves to the new generation of automation, in order to cope up with the present demands of Health Care for the benefit and best interests of patient care. He emphasized that the concept of laboratory medicine is recent to the practice of medicine. The first priority of allied health professionals, therefore, is to provide the physician with diagnostic results and hence, deliver an early treatment to the ailing patient. Test results based on accuracy and timeless delay contribute to the improved patient care. Good allied health practice builds confidence among Technologists, Physicians and Patients. It helps in deciphering effective patient care. Latest trends in Medical Technology helps to reduce turnaround time.

Senior Professor, Dr.Surendra Verma, Deptt., Pathology, JIPMER, Puducherry,India, delivered a Key note address on the theme of Conference i.e “Educating Tomorrows Healthcare leaders – Transforming Technology”.

It is pertinent to mention that JFMTI is an apex, professional, registered organization of Indian Associations of Allied health Sciences, representing all States of India. Since its inception in 2012, JFMTI has been striving hard for establishment of a Central regulatory framework for all major unregulated streams of allied health sciences and medical technology in India. JFMTI is a member of World health Organisation and other international health organizations. This forum is actively engaged in standardization, advancement and betterment of Biomedical Sciences in India. It has provided professional support and submitted proposals on various occasions to the Government of India, about all allied health professionals’ educational, human resources in health regulatory issues and Pay commissions of India, for the upliftment of Allied health sciences.

A Techno quiz was organized in the scientific session for the student forum, in which students of various medical professional Institutions running Medical Technology Course participated.

Various Scientific presentations Chaired by Prof. Kusum Joshi, Ex-Sub-Dean and Sr.Prof. Surendra Verma, included;

1. Key note address”Educating Tomorrows Healthcare Leaders: Transferring Technology” by Dr. Surendra K.Verma, Sr.Prof. deptt. Pathology, JIPMER, Puducherry
2. “Medical Technologists & Pathologists: Hand in Gloves co-ordination in diagnostic Pathology” by Prof. K.Joshi, Ex- Sub-Dean & HOD Histopathology, PGIMER, Chd.
3. “Role of Radiation Technologist in Radiotherapy Technology” by Prof. Rakesh Kapoor, Deptt. Radiotherapy, PGIMER, Chd.
4. “NABL accreditation and its impact on Med. Laboratory Services” by Dr. Malkit Singh, Deptt. Med. Microbiology, PGIMER, Chd.
5. “Role of O.T Technologists in modern health care delivery system” by Dr.Neeru Sahni, Deptt. Anesthesia,PGIMER, Chd.
6. “Importance of Diaslysis Technologists in Nephropathy” by Dr.K.L.Gupta, HOD, Nephrology, PGIMER, Chd,

Professional Session was Chaired by Dr. Malkit Singh, Mr. Mohan Bhagwat, Mr. Kaptan S. Sehrawat and Mr. G.S. Wadhawan which included topics:

1. Clinical Establishment Act and its implications-by Sh.Suresh Malay, ISRT-JFMTI
2. Key issues of Indian Allied Health Professions: by Sh. Mohan Bhagwat, Vice President-JFMTI
3. Vision, Mission & Perspective of JFMTI by Sh. Kaptan S. Sehrawat, Chief Spokesperson, JFMTI
4. Journey through Revamping of National Curricullum for AHP- by Dr. Ashvinder Raina, Member, task Force Committee, MH&FW, GOI-JFMTI

The Conference was a great success with productive scientific research presentations including both, Oral and Poster event. Awards were distributed in Valedictory function.

Awards for Oral scientific presentations went to:

1. “Methemoglobinemic variants HbM-Saskatoon and HbM-Iwate: Six rare cases from North India”, presented by: Mr.Sanjeev Chhabra from PGIMER, Chandigarh. for 1st Prize.
2. “Structural modifications to proteins on binding to ELISA plate” by: Mr.S Michael Duraiaraj from S.D.College, Chandigarh, for 2nd Prize
3. “Analysing pre-analytical errors in a north Indian tertiary care hematology laboratory – a prospective, presented” by: Mr.Nikhil Mishra, from Deptt. of Pathology, LHMC, New Delhi for 3rd Prize

Awards for Poster scientific presentations went to:

1. “Role of Medical Lab Technologists in preservation of human body : Practical & Ethical Aspects”, presented by Mr.Sanjeev Arora from Department of Anatomy, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College, Delhi, for 1st Prize
2. “Therapeutic effect of gold nanoparticles against antibiotic induced nephrotoxicity”, presented by Mr.Bhupesh Gupta, from Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Govt. Model Science College Gwalior (M.P.), for 2nd Prize.
3. “Epidemiology and risk assessment of pulmonary tuberculosis by using Ziehl Neelsen staining”, presented by Mr.B.R.Singh from Shantideep Heart and Lung Institute, Bulandshahr, for 3rd Prize

Awards for Techno Quiz went to:

1. Nikhil Mishra, Gourav Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, from LHMC, New Delhi, got 1st Prize.
2. Dipika Thakur, Veena Aggarwal, Manisha Chourasiya, from NIPS, PGIMER, Chd. got 2nd Prize
3. Ankita Mishra, Nisha Sahil, Wilson, from GMCH-32, Chandigarh, got 3rd Prize

All the members of organizing committee were honoured with mementos for their unconditional and extraordinary support to make the occasion a grand success. Mr. Kaptan S. Sehrawat, Chairperson of AHPCON-2018, gave the vote of thanks. A memorable cultural evening organized by LHMC, AIIMS, ESI and various other Hospitals of India was attended by delegates coming from all parts of the country. The programme concluded with national anthem.

Last but not the least, Joint Forum of Medical Technologists’ of India (JFMTI), Unit, Chandigarh, during its 3rd National Allied Health Professionals’ Conference (AHPCON-2018) from 16th to 17th April, organized a post conference workshops in FLUORESCENT IN SITU HYBRIDIZATION TECHNIQUE (FISH) at Deptt. Histopathology and Difficult Airways and its management at Deptt. Anesthesia, Advanced Cardiac Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh, on 18th April 2018.

According to Dr.Pankaj Kaul, Organising Secretary, AHPCON-2018, more than 50 delegates were given a live demonstration in concerned subject during the transfer of Technology session of the workshop, inaugurated by Prof.R.K.Vasishta, Head, Deptt. Histopathology and Prof.G.D.Puri, Sub-Dean Acadmics cum Head, Deptt. Anaesthesia to the delegates who attend the conference, from all over India.

FISH workshop is concerned with Cytogenetics that has entered the molecular era with the introduction of fluorescence insitu hybridization (FISH), a procedure that allows researchers to locate positions of specific DNA sequences on chromosomes. FISH is a very straight forward technique that essentially consists in hybridizing a DNA probe to its complementary sequence on chromosomal preparations previously fixed on slides. Probes are labeled either directly, by incorporation of fluorescent nucleotides, or indirectly by incorporation of reporter molecules that are subsequently detected by fluorescent antibodies or other affinity molecules. Probes and targets are finally visualized in situ by microscopy analysis. Fluorescence microscopy can be used to find out where the fluorescent probe is bound to the chromosomes. FISH is often used for finding specific features in DNA for use in genetic counseling, medicine, and species identification. FISH can also be used to detect and localize specific RNA targets (mRNA, lncRNA and miRNA) in cells, circulating tumor cells, and tissue samples.

As far as Anesthesia Workshop is concerned, the purpose of the airway management Guidelines is to facilitate the management of the difficult airway and to reduce the likelihood of adverse outcomes. The principal adverse outcomes associated with the difficult airway include (but are not limited to) death, brain injury, cardiopulmonary arrest, unnecessary surgical airway, airway trauma, etc.

All the participating delegates were presented participation certificates. Three days conference ended successfully to its desired results.

Timely support and sponsorship of ASCP through Mr. Joseph Brendan Baker, MS, Manager, International Certification Relations & Development, ASCP Board of Certification, Chicago, IL USA, M/s OSB Agencies Pvt. Ltd. Geeta colony, Delhi, M/s Dako, DSS Imagetech, New Delhi,M/s Lucent Bio-Medical, New Delhi, M/s Hospitech & Lab. Equipments, Chandigarh and M/s Micros Instruments, Mayur vihar, Delhi, is sincerely appreciated for the cause of an academic event.

Dr. Pankaj Kaul, Org. Secretary, AHPCON-2018