Puri: The annual conference of the East Zone Rheumatology Association (EZRACON) and the Indian Rheumatology Association, Odisha State Chapter, took place from September 13th to 15th, 2024, at Hotel Swosti Premium Beach Resorts in Puri. The event was organized by the Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, with Dr. Pradeepta Sekhar Patro, Professor and Head, serving as the Organising Secretary, and Dr. Rasmi Ranjan Sahoo as the Joint Organising Secretary.
The scientific programme for the conference was designed by Prof. Ramnath Mishra of the Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Department, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar, and Prof. Bidyut Kumar Das of SCB Medical College, Cuttack. The sessions featured presentations from both state and national experts under the theme “Unravelling the Conundrums in Rheumatology.”
One of the key highlights was the Prof. R N Rath Oration, delivered by Prof. Rohini Handa, Senior Consultant Rheumatologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. Additionally, Dr. Sarbani Rudra Sengupta, Chief Consultant in the Department of Medicine and Rheumatology at B R Singh Hospital, Kolkata, was honored with the Dr. Manjushree Mitra Oration.
On September 13th, a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session was held at Sri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital, Puri, aimed at introducing undergraduate students to the basics of rheumatology and the diverse clinical manifestations of various rheumatic conditions. As part of the event, students also participated in a painting competition on the theme of ‘Rheumatology Awareness.’
The Dr. S D Deodhar All India Intercollegiate Rheumatology Quiz’s state round was held for postgraduate students, with one team being selected for the zonal round scheduled for October 2024.
The conference saw the participation of approximately 300 delegates from 11 states across eastern India. It was officially inaugurated by Dr. Sambit Patra, MP of Puri, who served as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Amita Agarwal, Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow, attended as the Guest of Honour.
During the event, a souvenir and a collection of scientific abstracts, along with the latest updates on common rheumatic diseases, were also released.
