A three-day 39th annual national conference on blood transfusion began at Government Medical College here on Friday. The conference is being organised in collaboration with the Punjab Chapter of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immuno-haemotology (ISBTI).
The theme of the conference is "Optimising Transfusion Therapy".Dr Kanchan Bhardwaj, professor and head of the department of transfusion medicine (blood bank), said that it is a matter of great pride that this prestigious conference is being organised for the first time in Punjab.
She said renowned doctors from all over the country will deliberate on almost every aspect regarding blood transfusion services, transfusion therapy and voluntary blood donation.
Bhardwaj said 11 sessions were conducted on Friday in which more than 60 papers were presented.
"The speakers highlighted the regenerative medicine - cellular therapies, evidence-based transfusion medicine, transfusion practice in transplantation, blood safety and automation, cell/gene therapy and legal and ethical issues related to transfusion medicine", she said.
Meanwhile, Bhardwaj added that besides renowned doctors, NGOs and star blood donors are also attending the conference.
More than 20 papers were presented on voluntary blood donation in which speakers highlighted the need for motivation and awareness about blood donation among the general public.
Prominent speakers on the first day were Dr Paramjit Singh Dhot, Dr TR Raina, Dr Yudhvir Singh, Dr Surekha Devi, Dr Ravneet Kaur, Dr Prashant Aggarwal, Dr Nidhi Mehta, Dr Kulbir Kaur, Dr HK Dhawan, Dr Sunil Arora, Vinita Shrivastva and Dr Ajit Gorakshekher.
More than 20 papers were presented on voluntary blood donation in which speakers highlighted the need for motivation and awareness about blood donation among the general public.
Prominent speakers on the first day were Dr Paramjit Singh Dhot, Dr TR Raina, Dr Yudhvir Singh, Dr Surekha Devi, Dr Ravneet Kaur, Dr Prashant Aggarwal, Dr Nidhi Mehta, Dr Kulbir Kaur, Dr HK Dhawan, Dr Sunil Arora, Vinita Shrivastva and Dr Ajit Gorakshekher.
Inauguration delayed
In a bizarre setting of events, organisers had proposed the inauguration of the conference in the evening, albeit several sessions were held earlier in the day.
Anil Joshi, minster of medical education and research, inaugurated the function.
Sources in the college said the inauguration was held as per the convenience of Joshi's schedule.