JKST&IC Sponsored Brainstorming on Stillbirth, Infant mortality and Birth Defects held at SMVDU

KATRA, 12^th March 2023: One-day brainstorming meeting sponsored by J&K Science Technology and Innovation Council, Deptt of Science and Technology, Govt. of J&K, with special emphasis on “Still birth, Congenital Malformations, Infants Death among newborns in Jammu and Kashmir Region” was conducted at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra. The meeting started with a welcome address by Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Organizing Secretary and Principal Coordinator, Indian Council of Medical Research-Center of Advanced Research (ICMR-CAR), SMVDU.

The meeting addressed the crucial issues related to stillbirth, Congenital Malformations, Infants Death. Padma Shri Prof. RNK Bamezai, former Vice Chancellor of SMVDU and Ex-Dean Life Sciences JNU, chaired the meeting. Representative of majority of the institutes of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir attended the meeting: Mrs. Sunita Razdan Dhar, Joint Director JKST&IC, Prof Ghansham Saini, Head Department of Paediatrics,  GMC Jammu, Dr. Rakesh Raina PHC, Akhnoor, Dr Dinesh Kumar,  Dean academics, AIIMS Jammu, Dr. Audesh Bhat, Central University of Jammu, Dr Javeed Iqbal Department Of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine (ERS) SKIMS, Dr. Renu Sharma, Dr Ritesh Kumar from AIIMS Jammu, Dr Anand Yelne Consultant Pediatrician, Dr. Sonia Nagyal Consultant Pathologist Dr. Arunima Consultant Gynae, Dr. Kamaljeet Kaur, Consultant Paediatrician, of SMVDNH, Katra,  Dr Anindya Goswami and Dr Mohd. Jamal Dar Principal Scientists of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, Mrs. Pushpa Oraon Associate Professor SMVDCON, Katra, Dr. Ruchi Shah from University of Kashmir, Dr. Ekta Rai from SMVDU threw light on different aspects of still birth and congenital anomalies prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir. Prof. Bamezai suggested identifying Biomarkers for Still birth, Congenital Malformations, Infants Death. He also stressed on continued evaluation of medical aid managed care programs and its impact upon perinatal care and outcomes.

Congenital anomalies can impose tremendous physical, social, and emotional distress on the patient with massive emotional, social, financial, and medical implications for the family and society. While the enormous strides in genetic testing and gene modification therapy have an encouraging impact on the diagnosis and treatment, the group decided to join hands together to work towards mitigating the suffering of patients.

The Brainstorming was organised by a team of ICMR-CAR Scientists and scholars led by Dr. Girish, Dr. Sonali, Ms. Minerva Mr. Rajeshwar and Mr. Bhawani, Dr. Rakesh Kumar presented the vote of thanks to the participants, and expressed his gratitude to PadmaShri RK Sinha, Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, for his continuous support and motivation and JK Science technology and innovation council for sponsoring such a critical area for brainstorming.