Doctors from J&K considered among the best in world: Dr Abid
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The 52nd Annual National Conference of the Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine (IAPSMCON 2025) commenced today with a prestigious inaugural ceremony at the SKICC Auditorium in Srinagar.
The event, hosted by the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, was graced by eminent dignitaries, marking a significant milestone for Jammu and Kashmir’s medical fraternity.
The three-day event, featuring over 1,200 delegates from 36 states and Union Territories, promises to be a landmark gathering for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers.
The conference will feature 10 plenary sessions, 20 best practice presentations, and more than 560 research papers over the next two and a half days.
Speaking to media Syed Abid Rashid, Secretary of Health and Medical Education said, “This is an academic gathering of the finest medical brains in the country. We have participants from every state and union territory. I am confident that the learnings here will translate into policy-level actions”.
The conference focuses on care advancements and integrative approaches in public and private healthcare systems, aiming to create actionable frameworks for future health strategies, he said.
Rashid also highlighted the value of hosting such national conferences in Jammu & Kashmir, not just for academic and health discourse but for promoting tourism as well. “Srinagar is witnessing a rise in tourist footfalls, and such conferences add greatly to its image as a hub for intellectual and academic exchange.”
He further added that doctors from the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir are considered to be among the best in the world
Dr. Mohammad Salim Khan, Head of the Department of Community Medicine at GMC Srinagar and the organizing chairperson, expressed his enthusiasm: This conference is a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir. The sheer scale of participation—from every corner of India—reflects the growing importance of public health and community medicine in our nation’s healthcare system.”
The event brings together medical experts, academicians, and students to discuss pressing health challenges, innovative research, and best practices in community medicine. Themes include infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental health, health policy, and digital healthcare innovations.
Delegates praised the conference’s organization and its potential impact. Dr. Anjali Sharma, a public health expert from Delhi, said, “The diversity of research being presented here is remarkable. It’s inspiring to see Jammu and Kashmir leading such a significant national dialogue on public health.” “This is just the beginning,” Dr. Khan added. “We hope this conference becomes a regular platform for innovation and collaboration in healthcare.”
