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Reproductive health with emphasis on strategies for family planning
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This article was originally published by Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd and was migrated to Scientific Scholar after the change of Publisher.
The comprehensive approach to reproductive health demands increased awareness on methods of family planning, maternal health, neonatal morbidity and a growing burden of reproductive ill health resulting from reproductive tract infections, including sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, infertility and the adverse effect on gender based violence. In order to provide a common scientific platform for all these specialties and to promote reproductive health research, The Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility (ISSRF) was established in 1988. Over the years, the mandate of the Society has broadened and now includes various multidisciplinary components of reproductive health. The objectives of the Society are to provide a platform for the discussion of scientific, clinical, veterinary, social and demographic knowledge on all aspects of human and animal reproduction and also to facilitate exchange of knowledge and ideas in the area of reproductive health through seminars, workshops, conferences and meetings held from time to time. The Society also promotes the growth of discipline of reproductive biology and reproductive health care. One of the most regular activities of the Society has been its annual meetings wherein the basic scientists, clinicians, veterinarians, demographers, social scientists belonging to the broad area of reproductive health gather to discuss newer development in the area. The activities of the Society have played a key role in promoting the subject of reproductive health through its scientific activities at the national and international levels.
The 22nd annual meeting of the Society which was coincided with the centenary celebration of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was organized as an International Conference on Reproductive Health with Emphasis on Strategies for Family Planning by the ICMR on February 19-21, 2012 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The Conference was inaugurated by Ms. Frederika Meijer, representative United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India and Country Director, Bhutan with Dr R. C. Deka, the then Director, AIIMS, New Delhi, as the Guest of Honor and Dr V. M. Katoch, Secretary, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Director General, ICMR, New Delhi, presided over the function. About 400 delegates from 64 premier organizations of the country and abroad participated in the Conference.
Both national and international Scientific Advisory Committees helped to ensure a highly interactive, scientifically stimulative and intense scientific programme for the conference. The scientific programme, covering various aspects of reproductive health comprised three orations, 76 invited and four award lectures. Over 200 posters were presented on different themes of symposia sessions. Professor L.S. Ramaswami Memorial Oration, Founder President Dr T.C. Anand Kumar Memorial Oration, Labhsetwar Award, Padma Bhushan Professor G. P. Talwar Middle Career Scientist Award and Young Scientist Award lectures and Professor N. R. Moudgal Memorial Oration were special features of the scientific programme. There were 16 symposia sessions comprising (i) Current Status in Stem Cell Research, (ii) Genomics and Proteomics, (iii) Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology, (iv) Overview on Contraceptive Development and Family Planning: Policy Issues, (v) Overview on Contraceptive Development and Family Planning: Technical Issues, (vi) Female Contraceptive Development, (vii) Issues in Assisted Reproduction, (viii) Infertility & Reproductive Disorders, (ix) Academia – Industry Interaction with Emphasis on Technology Development, (x) RTI's, STD's, AIDS and Microbicide, (xi) Male Contraceptives Development, (xii) Immunocontraception, (xiii) Environment, Lifestyle & Reproduction, (xiv) Use of Animals in Biomedical Research, (xv) Reposition of Family Planning in India, and (xvi) Strategies for Family Planning going forward. An important highlight of the Conference was a panel discussion on the strategies for family planning going forward where eminent scientists, clinicians, policy makers, demographers, etc. from Government and Non-Government organizations participated.
Twenty three papers presented at the conference are included in this Supplement of the Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR) covering various aspects of reproductive health. These include issues related to surrogacy, family planning with special emphasis on traditional as well as newer contraceptive devices available for men and women, emergency contraception, regulatory aspects related to assisted reproductive technology, antifertility vaccine, role of phytoestrogens, advances in stem cell research for reproductive disorders, policy issues related to family planning programme to name a few.
