JAMMU: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Jammu, in collaboration with the Departments of Pediatrics at ASCOMS and GMC Jammu, hosted a landmark event, “EPILEPTOCON 2024 – An Update on Pediatric Epilepsy.” The event, aimed at enhancing knowledge and awareness of pediatric epilepsy, brought together around 250 delegates, including pediatricians, intensivists, neurologists, physicians, residents, and MBBS students from multiple medical colleges across North India.
The conference was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal and Dean of GMC Jammu, who applauded the efforts of the organizing team and emphasized the need for similar academic initiatives in the future. Other distinguished guests included Dr. A.S. Bhatia (Principal, GMC Rajouri), Dr. Pavan Malhotra (Director Principal, ASCOMS), Dr. S.K. Gupta (Eminent Neurologist), Dr. Sudheer Dhar (Senior Physician), Dr. Ashok Gupta (Ex-HOD Pediatrics, SMGS Jammu), and Dr. Rekha Harish (Ex-HOD Pediatrics, SMGS Jammu), who graced the event as Guests of Honor.
The event began with a ceremonial lamp lighting accompanied by a Saraswati Vandana, followed by a captivating skit performed by MBBS students of ASCOMS. The skit, which aimed to bust common myths related to epilepsy, was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience, setting a positive tone for the day's proceedings.
Dr. S.K. Gupta shared his expert insights on the latest management strategies for pediatric epilepsy and praised the leadership of Dr. Ravinder K Gupta in organizing this comprehensive academic session. The conference featured a series of enlightening lectures, beginning with a talk on neonatal seizures by Dr. Anuj Bhatti, a renowned neonatologist. This was followed by updates on pediatric epilepsy from Dr. Pawan Kumar, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist at Nahan Medical College, Himachal Pradesh, and Dr. Surjeet Kumar, Pediatric Intensivist at GMC Jammu.
Interactive sessions were conducted by leading pediatric neurologists, including Dr. J.S. Goraya (DMC Ludhiana), Dr. Gurpreet S. Kochar (Ludhiana), and Dr. Ashna Kumar (Amritsar), who engaged with the audience, addressing queries and sharing their expert knowledge. Dr. Vivek Pandita, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at ASCOMS Jammu, conducted a lively quiz session after each lecture, keeping the audience actively involved.
The highlight of the event was the felicitation of Dr. Suresh K Angurana, a Pediatric Intensivist and Associate Professor at PGIMER Chandigarh, by the Dr. Ritu Gupta Foundation for his significant contributions to pediatric critical care. Dr. Angurana delivered the prestigious Dr. Ritu Gupta Oration on the critical topic of ‘Status Epilepticus,’ which was well-received by the attendees. A short documentary on the late Dr. Ritu Gupta’s achievements and her impactful contribution to medicine was also showcased.
The conference was meticulously organized under the supervision of Dr. G.S. Saini (Prof. & HOD Pediatrics, SMGS Jammu) and Dr. Ravinder K Gupta (Prof. & HOD Pediatrics, ASCOMS Jammu), with Dr. Vikas Mahajan and Dr. Sushil Sharma serving as the organizing secretaries. The faculty members of the Department of Pediatrics at ASCOMS, along with residents and support staff, played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of this significant academic event. Stage management was expertly handled by Mihika and Aradita.
EPILEPTOCON 2024 concluded with resounding success, reinforcing the importance of continued medical education and collaborative efforts in improving pediatric healthcare. The event not only highlighted the latest advancements in pediatric epilepsy management but also underscored the commitment of IAP Jammu and its partners to the betterment of child health in the region.
