CHICAGO: Several front line community activists of Chicago along with a number of eminent health care professionals from India were part of the two days NIM CARE World Health Day Summit held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi early this month. The summit agenda was to examine the mental health issues affecting the people in India
The Summit was essentially the brain child of NRIs in USA and it was inaugurated by President of India Pranab Mukherjee who was joined by Deputy Lok Sabha Speaker Dr. M. Thambidurai. The Chicago participating team was headed by Dr. Vijay G. Prabhakar and consisted of Dr. Sriram Sonty, Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, Harish Kolasani, Praveen Bhumana, Dr. Hemalata Bakane, Dr. Radhika Chimata, Dr. Viji Susarla, Diksha Pinjani, Sanhita Agnihotri, Nagendra Sripada and Sarada Sonty.
The theme of the summit was “Unite for a Healthy Mind” which is in accordance with the W.H.O. slogan for the World Health Day 2017 “Depression: Let’s Talk”. The Summit served as a platform for leaders, physicians, educators, elected officials, policy makers, medical professionals, health care administrators NGOs and the Corporate Sector to deliberate on this epidemic of depression in India.
The Chicago host team was led by Dr. Vijay Prabhakar and Praveen Bhumana among others received President Mukherjee upon his ceremonial arrival. Harish Kolasani, President of NRI Seva Foundation, presented him with a special memento. The inaugural program was emceed by Dr. Radhika Chimata.
On the opening day, after lighting the lamp, Maneka Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, congratulated NIMCARE summit team for hosting this significant World Health Day event. Keerthi Kumar Ravoori conducted the opening session and applauded Union Minister Maneka Gandhi for championing the causes of women and child welfare. Harish Kolasani welcomed Maneka Gandhi who launched ‘Live Life’ project and released a copy to Dr. Kannan Gireesh.
Keerthi Kumar Ravoori and Dr. Sriram Sonty served as moderators for the main plenary sessions and the panelists Dr. Viji Susarla, Sarada Sonty, Dr. Kannan Gireesh, Dr. Prerna Kohli and Dr. Hemalata Bakane made in depth presentations. Dr. Sanhita Agnihotri organized the Summit Banquet Gala at Bristol Hotel in Gurgaon, Haryana for the visiting delegates.
After a welcome address by Summit President Dr. Vijay Prabhakar, President Pranab Mukherjee in his keynote address applauded the efforts of NIMCARE World Health Day leadership for convening the global summit that seeks to provide a unique opportunity to mobilize action around the topic of mental health issue hosted in commemoration of the World Health Day. He said the social stigma attached to a mental disorder, even if it is easily treatable, is also a major problem in India. However, people have now started talking about this issue leading to greater awareness in this respect.
President Mukherjee pointed out that traditional Indian values along with our family system, can be good mechanisms to support those who suffer from mental health disorders. Further adding, the President said that there is a severe shortage of mental health professionals in India and this service gap can be bridged effectively by telemedicine.
The World Health Day Summit has begun in the right direction by launching the eCAP& SOL’s Telepsychiatry application for the rural and urban population in need of mental health consultation. President urged all to strive to make even greater progress in the efforts to create awareness.
Dr. Selvakumar, President Telemedcine Society of India gave introductory remarks, Dr. R. Mylvaganan presented a golden shawl. After the presentation of awards, Logith proposed a vote of thanks. P.K.Prithvi presented the summit overview. Keerthi Kumar Ravoori formally thanked the delegates for their spirited participation and added the summit would forge ahead with a plan on hosting the Global India Conclave in Chicago.
India Post News Service
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