The Maharashtra Chapter of Indian Academy of Tropical Parasitology (MCIATP) conducted its First Chapter Conference – MAHATROPACON 2024 in All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, in association with the Vidarbha Association of Medical Microbiologists (VAMM) on 13th and 14th January 2024. As a part of the conference, 3 pre-conference workshops were conducted on 12th January 2024.
The Organizing Committee, spearheaded by Dr. M. Hanumantha Rao (Organizing Chairperson of MAHATROPACON 2024 and Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Nagpur) and Dr. Meena Mishra, (Organizing Secretary of MAHATROPACON 2024 and Professor & Head of the Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Nagpur), also included Joint Organizing Secretaries, Dr. Neeta Gade and Dr. Vishal Shete, and Treasurer, Dr. Soumyabrata Nag. The National Advisory Committee is headed by Dr. Prof. S.C. Parija, National President and founder of IATP and Dr. Ujjala Ghoshal, Secretary General of IATP with State Advisory Committee Dr. Anuradha De (President MCIATP), Dr. Gopal Agrawal (Secretary, MCIATP), Dr. Chaya A. Kumar (Treasurer, MCIATP), Dr. Rajendra Surpam (President, VAMM) and Dr. Nandkishor Bankar (Secretary VAMM) graced the occasion.
Pre-Conference Workshops – 12th January 2024
The Workshop Inaugural Ceremony was held on January 12, 2024, at AIIMS Nagpur College building, featured Dr. Mrunal Phatak, Dean (Academics), AIIMS, Nagpur, as the Chief Guest. Guests of Honor included Dr. Anuradha De (President, MCIATP) and Dr. Vilas Laxman Jahagirdar (Ex-Dean, GMC, Miraj). The other dignitaries present were Dr. Meena Mishra, the Organizing Secretary, Dr. Gopal Agrawal (Secretary, MCIATP), Dr. Rajendra Surpam (President, VAMM), Dr. Nandkishor Bankar (Secretary, VAMM), Dr. Himanshu Patil (MMC Observer), Dr. Neeta Gade (Joint Organizing Secretary), Dr. Vishal Shete (Joint Organizing Secretary), and Dr. Soumyabrata Nag (Treasurer). Dr. Prof. S.C. Parija, National President and founder of IATP, along with Dr. Ujjala Ghoshal, Secretary IATP, conveyed their heartfelt wishes for the success of the pre-conference workshops.
The pre-conference workshops on Tropical Parasitology encompassed various didactic lectures and hands-on training. The workshops had a combined participation of 103 attendees from various locations within the State.
The workshops were on:
- Untangling the complexities is stool examination with basics by Dr. Sunil Kolte and team – 34 participants.
- Microscopy to Molecular: Connecting dots for an optimal approach by Dr. Tuhina Banerjee and team – 34 participants.
- Parasitic infections in an Immunosuppressed host by Dr. Ranganathan Iyer and team – 35 participants. Other workshop facilitators included Dr. Rakesh Singh, Dr. Yagnesh Thakar, Dr. Anuradha De, Dr. Arghya Das, Dr. Sunil Kolte, Dr. Neeta Gade, Dr. Vishal Shete, Dr. Soumyabrata Nag, Dr. Rahul Garg, Dr. Pradeep Kumar V, Ms. Shruti and Ms. Shandhya.
Conference – 13th & 14th January 2024
The Inaugural Ceremony on January 13, 2024 in the Auditorium, AIIMS Nagpur featured Dr. Prof. S.C. Parija, National President and founder of IATP, as Chief Guest. Guests of Honor included Dr. Vedprakash Mishra (Pro-Chancellor of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences), Dr. M. Hanumantha Rao (Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Nagpur) and Dr. Mrunal Phatak (Dean, AIIMS Nagpur). The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Dr. Anuradha De (President MCIATP), Dr. Gopal Agrawal (Secretary, MCIATP), Dr. Chaya A. Kumar (Treasurer, MCIATP), Dr. Rajendra Surpam (President, VAMM), Dr. Nandkishor Bankar (Secretary VAMM), Dr. Meena Mishra (Organizing Secretary), Dr. Neeta Gade, Dr. Vishal Shete and Dr. Soumyabrata Nag. Dr. Ujjala Ghoshal sent her best wishes for the success of conference and presented the activities of IATP in a video.
As many as 235 Medical Microbiologists (including 48 IATP members) participated in the conference, that featured distinguished speakers Dr. S.C. Parija, Dr. Anuradha De, Dr. Sumeeta Khurana, Dr. Nishant Verma, Dr. Sunil Kolte, Brig. Sourav Sen (Retd.), Dr. Jayanthi Shastri, Dr. Tuhina Banerjee, covering crucial topics. The topics focused on diseases prevalent in India, included blood parasitic infections with current updates in malaria, amoebic liver abscess, role of AI in clinical parasitology, LAMP assay for parasitic infections, interactions between gut microbiota and intestinal protozoa, CNS parasitic infections caused by free living amoebae, neurocysticercosis and neglected parasitic diseases. The conference also witnessed a diverse array of academic contributions through both oral and poster presentations, where delegates showcased their expertise and insights on various Parasitology topics.
The installation of the Maharashtra Chapter of IATP was done by Dr. Prof. S. C. Parija, National President and founder of IATP, witnessed Dr. Anuradha De as President, with Dr. Yagnesh Thakar and Dr. Meena Mishra as Vice Presidents, Dr. Gopal Agrawal as Secretary, Dr Umesh Hassani as Joint Secretary, Dr. Chaya A. Kumar as Treasurer, Dr. Alpana Wagh as Joint Treasurer and other State office bearers Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, Brig. Sourav Sen (Retd.), Dr. Supriya Tankhiwale, Dr. Rajendra Surpam, Dr. Nazneen Idris Malak as Executive Committee members.
Evening witnessed the memorable grand gala banquet dinner which included cultural events and musical night.
On the second day of the conference (January 14, 2024), distinguished speakers including Dr. Rakesh Singh, Dr. Tushar Nale, Dr. Harsha Sheorey and Dr. Harshul Mishra covered vital topics such as IATP EQAS status, automation’s role in diagnostic stewardship, the one-health approach to parasitic infections and the significance of morphological Parasitologists. The day also featured an engaging “QUIZ on Clinical Parasitology”, with Dr. Meena Mishra as the Quiz Master, presenting thought-provoking questions on parasitic diseases, diagnostic methods and recent advancements.
