The South Central and South West Divisions of the BAPIO hosted a conference on Saturday, 20th May 2023, focusing on the pressing issues of the Tsunami of Non-Communicable Diseases and the crisis facing the NHS. The event took place at the Hilton Hotel in Reading and brought together healthcare professionals from various specialties.
The conference began with a warm welcome from Professor Parag Singhal, the conference organiser and chair, and Dr Arun Baksi, setting the stage for the discussions ahead. The morning session delved into the challenges posed by non-communicable diseases, specifically heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and aortic valve disease. Esteemed speakers like Dr Amardeep Ghosh Dastidar and Dr Nikhil Joshi shared their insights, followed by engaging discussions.
After a much-needed coffee break, the conference continued with sessions on diabetes, cardiometabolic medicine, and childhood obesity. Dr George Farah, Dr Wycliffe Mbagaya, and Dr Sumana Chatterjee provided updates and valuable perspectives on these critical topics.
Following the lunch break, the focus shifted to the NHS in Crisis. Dr Ramesh Mehta, President of BAPIO, introduced this critical theme, highlighting the challenges faced by the medical workforce. The session included a guest speech from Professor Parag Singhal and a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Dr Chaand Nagpaul, Mr Amit Sinha, and Dr Suma Sreeshyla.
The conference also addressed the career opportunities for locally employed doctors (LED) and the need to enhance their prospects. Dr Anindya Bhowmik and Dr Sneha Bisht shared their experiences and insights, engaging in a fruitful discussion with Dr Chaand Nagpaul and Dr Ramesh Mehta.
The final session focused on the well-being of healthcare professionals. Dr Saras Hosdurga and Mrs. Yashoda Yeliadaki delivered impactful speeches, highlighting the importance of self-care and well-being in the medical field.
Dr Amardeep Dastidar expressed gratitude on behalf of the organizers and concluded the conference with a vote of thanks. The event concluded with a drinks reception and conference dinner, allowing attendees to network and further discuss the critical topics addressed throughout the day.
The conference successfully shed light on the tsunami of non-communicable diseases and the challenges faced by the NHS, sparking important conversations among healthcare professionals and promoting collaboration to address these pressing issues.