GUWAHATI, July 26 - The two-day 25th annual conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Assam State branch concluded in the city on June 22. Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi was the chief guest and Dr Mridul Hazarika, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University was the guest of honour at the inaugural session.
Satyarthi in his address called upon the Indian Psychiatric Society to play a pivotal role in addressing the issues of child abuse and child rights.
�Psychiatrists have a big role to play in ensuring a child-friendly medical system. It is paramount that we observe each and every child closely for any symptoms of abuse or exploitation and provide timely intervention,� he said.
Satyarthi also emphasised the need for philanthropic medical care. He stressed the role of doctors in resurrecting the confidence and life of the children who have suffered immense physical and mental trauma, either at the hands of employers, or traffickers or even family.
Many office-bearers and dignitaries of the Indian Psychiatric Society attended the occasion.
The trustees of Ruby and Pankaj Baruah Foundation contributed to the Kailash Satyarthi Children�s Foundation.
A felicitation ceremony for senior psychiatrists of Assam as well as for other guests was also conducted. This was followed by a panel discussion on child abuse, where dignitaries from different walks of life including Father Lukose, Shiva Kakoti, Samudragupta Kashyap, Anurekha Borkakoty and Dr Gayatri Bezbaruah participated.
Earlier, organising president Dr Jayanta Das in his welcome address laid stress on creating awareness in society about the increasing instances of child abuse.
On the second day a CME was conducted, where prominent psychiatrists and clinical psychologists presented their scientific deliberations based on the theme of the conference. Postgraduate students from different medical colleges of Assam participated in the Dr Indreswar Dutta Award scientific paper presentation.
A quiz competition for the postgraduate students was another highlight of the event.
