Globally renowned surgeons, practitioners to participate
the goan I network
PANAJI
The three-day conclave to be held from April 21 will be the first ever and biggest congress on Diabesity (diabetes and obesity) being organized by the Society of India (OSSI) under the aegis of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, and will be referred to as IFSCO-APC 2017.
Across the country, over 800 million Indians suffer from obesity with 25 million of them suffering from additional complications like hypertension and heart problems. Non communicable diseases contribute to a significant share of healthcare expenditure with the burden of out-of-pocket expenses as high as 60 percent.
In Goa alone, the rates of obesity have increased. According to the recently published National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS4) the number of women that were overweight or obese rose from 20.2 percent (during NFHS 3 held for 2005-06) to 33.5 percent. Among men, the number increased from 15.5 percent to 32.6 percent.
Speaking about the current scenario in the country, organizing secretary of IFSCO-APC 2017 Dr Jayashree Todkkar said that after the three-day event, suggestions and observations would be submitted to the central government. The event will also focus on means to create awareness in the public as well as the medical fraternity.
Also addressing the media was US-based doctor Kelvin Higa, president of IFSO who called for prevention rather than late stage treatment.
“Most of the cases we get are late stages of obesity which require harsh treatments. We need to focus on the need for prevention, education and awareness. Obesity has become the number one global health care phenomenon in recent years and those afflicted may not even know they are affected,” he said.
The three-day event will be held at the Holiday Inn in Mobor, Cavelossim. Dignitaries that will be present on the day include Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union AYUSH minister Shripad Naik and Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare Dr Deepak Sawant.
