Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 26: The annual KARNEUROPEDICON 2024 conference, a premier event in Pediatric Neurology, took place on August 24 and 25 at the Father Muller Convention Center, Mangaluru. The event witnessed a confluence of esteemed pediatric neurologists and pediatricians who convened to discuss advancements and share insights in this critical subspecialty.
The conference was officially inaugurated on Sunday, August 25, in the presence of renowned medical professionals. The event's primary focus was on enhancing clinical skills and knowledge sharing among pediatricians, ensuring better patient care. Attendees engaged in a series of paper presentations, debates, reviews, and roundtable discussions, making the conference a significant milestone in Mangaluru's medical education landscape.
Inaugural highlights
Dr Santosh Soans, professor and head of the Department at AJIMS and a past national president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), graced the occasion as the chief guest. Dr Soans emphasized the importance of Pediatric Neurology as a subspecialty, highlighting its potential to revolutionize patient care in Mangaluru and across Karnataka. He urged the medical community to revive the essential skills of clinical history and examination, which, despite technological advancements like CT and MRI, remain crucial in early diagnosis and patient management.
A ceremonial honor was bestowed upon Dr Suresh Rao, director of Parijma Institute of Neurosciences, Bengaluru, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Pediatric Neurology. With four decades of dedicated service, Dr Rao has significantly advanced the subspecialty, positively impacting the lives of countless children with neurological disorders. In his acceptance speech, Dr Rao expressed his elation at receiving the honor in his hometown of Mangalore.
Guests of honour
Dr Sanjeev L Joshi, national chairperson of the Academy of Pediatric Neurology, and Dr Vykuntaraju K N, Karnataka state president, expressed their satisfaction with the successful organization of this academic feast in Mangaluru. Dr S N Mothi, Karnataka state president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the conference's role in enriching the knowledge and clinical skills of pediatricians, ultimately benefiting their young patients.
Institutional pride
Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, expressed pride in the institution's achievements, including the 25th anniversary of Father Muller Medical College, the 25th year of the PG program in Homoeopathy, the 40th year of the UG program in Homoeopathy, and the 30th year of the BPT program. He underscored the importance of accurate knowledge and ethical practice, particularly when dealing with vulnerable groups such as children with neurological disorders.
Acknowledgments and contributions
The organizing chairperson, Dr Shruthi N M, received widespread praise from all quarters for her tireless efforts in bringing the conference to Mangalore and ensuring its smooth execution. Co-organizing chairpersons Dr K Shreedhara Avabratha, professor and HoD of Pediatrics at Father Muller Medical College, and Dr Abhishek K Phadke, along with organizing secretaries Dr Swathi Rao and Dr Sweta Shanbhag (assistant professors at FMMC), also played pivotal roles in the event's success.
The conference provided an invaluable platform for pediatricians to deepen their knowledge and forge new paths in Pediatric Neurology, furthering the cause of better healthcare for children with neurological conditions. Dr Jason Glen D'Souza, senior resident pediatric FMMCH compeered the event.