BENGALURU STATEMENT
The Fifth Annual Congress of ABSI was organized @ ITC Gardenia from 1-3 July 2016 under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Somashekhar, Honorary Secretary & Chairman Organising Committee actively assisted by Dr. Rajashekhar Jaka, Organising Secretary & Team ‘Bengaluru’.
As promised before the Congress, ‘Academic extravaganza’ & ‘Away from all’ Fellowship and relaxation like ‘never before’ were the essential ingredients that made ABSICON 2016 a resounding success – the BEST ever held Annual Congress in the Association’s history.
For the FIRST time ever in the history of ABSI, the following initiatives were held/launched @ the Congress
LIVE CADEVERIC WORKSHOP focusing on basic & advanced Breast Surgical techniques.
ABC OF BREAST ULTRASOUND – WHAT EVERY SURGEON SHOULD KNOW – Some 200 surgeons applied to this Course, which was a run away success. The Executive Committee and General Body resolved to conduct Breast imaging Courses for Surgeons along lines of Bengaluru Course – one each in four zones of the Country (2016 – 2017).
ABSI TRAINING MODULE, an innovative structured Breast Surgical training programme, which would be conducted in two tier Cities and towns all over India was formally launched. The aim of this initiative is to empower surgeons practicing the art & science of Breast surgery in remote parts of India about every aspect of breast health in simple easy to understand format. Emphasis will be on imparting the knowledge required to deliver uniform minimum effective standard of care to patients presenting with breast disease all across the Country. Starting from July 2016, the Training module is all set to be held in Bellary, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Ajmer. Kolhapur, Aurangabad. Many other Centres are in the pipeline.
ABSI – INDO UK FORUM SESSION where key members of the Forum, all of whom are Consultant Breast Surgeons working in various parts of UK, empowered delegates about various aspects of breast healthcare in the UK. The Indo UK forum would be our Association’s link in identifying Overseas Breast Fellowships in select Centres of excellence in the British Isles. These fellowships would be badged by the Association of Breast Surgeons of UK (ABS).
ABSI CONSENSUS STATEMENT SESSION held along the lines of St Galen’s Meeting with participation by enthusiastic delegates packed to full capacity even on the last day of the congress nearing valedictory session.
REVISITING SAN ANTONIO BREAST CANCER SYMPOSIUM (SABC) SESSION where delegates were empowered about key abstracts presented at the SABC Symposium held in 2015.
ABSI – MANIPAL HOSPITALS, BENGALURU BEST PAPER SESSION where Posters presented were assessed in a very transparent manner in a three tier selection process involving 12 judges of impeccable reputation.
SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME – National & world-renowned International faculty contributed immensely to the success of the Scientific Programme, which was carefully prepared paying ‘attention to detail’, after much effort and many months of hard work. No delegate from India featured more than twice in the Scientific Programme. The President and Honorary Secretary took a personal decision not to participate as Faculty, to ensure maximum number of delegates get an opportunity to participate in the Congress.
Dr. P. Raghu Ram
MS, FRCS (Edin), FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Glasg), FRCS (Irel), FACS
Padma Shri awardee (2015)
President, ABSI
6 July 2016
Dr. Beth Dupree, an eminent Breast Surgeon from the USA. has shared her views in her blog, which is well and truly a testimony & tribute to the Association of Breast Surgeons of India’s commitment to become the ‘Voice for Breast Surgery in India’, and equally, reflects the resounding success of ABSICON 2016 held in Bengaluru.
https://drbethdupree.wordpress.com/2016/07/04/absicon-2016-celebrating-indias-breast-care/