Panaji: GIMACON 2024, the annual medical conference jointly organised by the Indian Medical Association, Goa state branch, and Bicholim Chapter, was held on the 5th and 6th of October 2024 in BIG Bee Banquet Halls, Savoi-Verem, Betqui, Goa. The event saw participation from more than 250 medical professionals from the state of Goa and across the country.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Government of Goa, inaugurated the conference in the presence of office bearers of IMA Goa state, other delegates, and dignitaries.
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Organising President, in his opening remarks, welcomed all the participants and gave an overview of the event.
Dr. Rajeshree Marathe, Secretary IMA Goa State, presented the annual report on various activities undertaken by IMA Goa state and its 7 branches over the period of the last year.
Dr. Sandesh Chodankar, President IMA Goa State, in his inaugural speech, highlighted the achievements of IMA like “Living Will.” He mentioned that Goa was the first state to operationalise “End of Life Care” directives in the country. He added that the theme for this year, “Be Kind to Your Mind,” focused on mental health and numerous initiatives like Palak-Mitra for fostering child and parent relationships, and Manas-Mentors for training counsellors of the Goa Education Development Corporation, were undertaken successfully.
Dr. Sandesh extended his gratitude on behalf of IMA to Honourable CM Dr. Pramod Sawant and the state government for streamlining issues like the Clinical Establishment Act and taking cognisance of violence against doctors.
Dr. Dattaram Desai, the incoming president for the next year, opined that the current IMA Goa state executive committee has done meticulous work in its tenure, and under his guidance, the new committee shall resolve to take up new initiatives under the IMA banner.
Dr. Desai announced that the theme for 2025 has been selected as “Palliation – Care with Compassion.” He added that IMA Ponda is already committed to palliative health and that DILASA Palliative Care Center is the testimony of the combined efforts put in by members of IMA Ponda.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Chief Guest for the function, in his speech congratulated all the doctors of IMA Goa state and the host of GIMACON 2024, IMA Bicholim, for their active participation in public health initiatives. He further added that the state government is willing to support any activities that are in the interest of the citizens of the state. He expressed happiness to know that IMA Ponda has taken the issue of palliative health, and the state government will support this endeavour in the future.
Dr. Anil Mehndiratta, Dr. Vinayak Buvaji, and Dr. Amol Tilve, medical practitioners and members of IMA Goa state, were felicitated for their exemplary service in the medical field at the hands of Dr. Pramod Sawant, CM Goa State, in the presence of all dignitaries.
All the speakers for the scientific sessions for GIMACON 2024—Professor Dr. Shailesh Shrikhande, Onco-Surgeon, Dr. Mandar Nadkarni, Onco-Surgeon, Dr. Bhooshan Shukla, Psychiatrist, and Dr. Deepa Ganesh, Gynaecologist—were felicitated by Honourable Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. The Goa State oration was presented by Dr. Shailesh Shrikhande, a renowned surgeon from Tata Memorial Hospital. Dr. Shrikhande spoke on the Modern Management of GI Cancer, from ‘despair to hope!’
Dr. Dayanand Rao and Dr. Medha Salkar compared the event, and Dr. Dinesh Amonkar, Organising Secretary, presented the vote of thanks.
On the concluding day of the event, 6th October 2024, selected members from IMA Goa state presented scientific papers, posters, and videos. The session was followed by keynote speakers Dr. Mandar Nadkarni, Dr. Bhooshan Shukla, and Dr. Deepa Ganesh. The programme concluded with the distribution of awards and certificates and the annual general body meeting of IMA.
More than 30 industries from the healthcare and pharma sector participated in the exhibition.
