This workshop and public dialogue examined critical questions in the context of dynamic policy environments and brought together academics, practitioners and others interested in the role of professional medical associations as key stakeholders in shaping health policy. The panelists shared their research and experiences, methodological challenges and together came up with ideas and strategies for further research and action in the context of the present and increasingly globalized world of biomedicine.
The workshop was organised by Dr. Veena Sriram from UChicago Center for Health and the Social Sciences. The other panelists included prominent health researchers and key stakeholders from various organizations including Dr. Arima Mishra (Azim Premji University), Dr. Sorcha Brophy (University of Chicago), Dr. Rama Baru (Jawaharlal Nehru University) and Dr. Anant Bhan (President, International Association of Bioethics).
State Anti tobacco cell, Government of Karnataka had conducted a coalition meeting of all private stakeholders organisation working on tobacco control measures on 22nd April 2019 at Health Directorate.
Dr Jagadish Joint Director – Medical , Dr Selvarajan Deputy Director – Mediacl, Mr Chandrashekar, Nodal Officer, High Power Committee on Tobacco control, Dr Vishal Rao and Dr Upendra Bhojani.
State Anti Tobacco Cell had organised a Coalition Meeting with all the key stakeholders working on Tobacco control in State on 22nd April 2019 at Health directorate. In the meeting had a discussion on current tobacco control policies and their implementation at grassroot level of all the districts of Karnataka. Dr Upendra Bhojani Assistant Director, IPH, Dr Pragati Hebbar,Faculty, IPH, Dr Chandrashekar, Advocacy Officer, IPH and Dr Vishal Rao, Adjunct Faculty, IPH had participated in the meeting and shared their thoughts on implementation of tobacco control activities and IEC campaign for the upcoming World No Tobacco Day.
The fourth edition of the ‘National Conference on Tobacco or Health’ concluded recently in Mumbai (8-10 February 2019). It saw a range of stakeholders across Indian states coming together in what the conference’s organizing secretary described as the “Kumbh Mela” of tobacco control. The Institute of Public Health (Bengaluru) had a strong presence at the conference, attended by Upendra Bhojani, Faculty and India Alliance Fellow, and his team, Aparna Vincent and Amiti Varma. Upendra served as a co-chair for the pre-conference and presented on ‘research ethics’ as part of a pre-conference workshop on research priorities for tobacco control in India. Apart from chairing a couple of sessions in the conference, he presented on the politics of tobacco and on tobacco industry interference, including in the closing plenary of the conference. Amiti presented on behalf of Pragati Hebbar (IPH faculty and India Alliance Fellow) on studying the implementation of tobacco control laws in India.
The NCTOH has been an important platform for individuals and organizations working on tobacco control across all of India to come together, and the 4th NCTOH was equally enriching and productive.
A round-table discussion was organized in city on 27th Feb, 2019 by Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru with the support of AXA Business Services under the banner of ‘Safer roads Bengaluru’ initiative. This was organised to discuss the issues pertaining to the selected stretch of road, Hebbal to KR Puram, based on the recent study findings conducted by IPH in association with Padmashree School of Public Health & to chalk out effective interventions possible to improve practices and make this road safer. This round-table meeting witnessed the participation of individuals from varied fields, government officials, educational experts, public health experts and road safety experts giving their inputs and suggestions to develop effective interventions.
Retired IAS officer and Ex-transport commissioner, Shri Rame gowda, Additional commissioner of transport(Enforcement) and Director of Road safety authority Shri Narayana Swamy, Shri Rajesh K from Youth for Seva, Dr. Uma Shankar, Principal of Padmashree school of public health, Dr. Asha Abhikar, Deputy Director of state road safety authority, Dr. Gautham from NIMHANS, Dr. Thriveni B S, member of BBMP NCD prevention task force committee, Smt. Amrin Fathima, Program Manager, AXA Business services, Shri. Thirumala Rao C V, Retired Deputy director of public instruction, Dr. Manish Rao From Savior were participated in the discussion on the preliminary findings of the study and gave valuable inputs for the effective interventions.
A media briefing was also organised followed by the round-table.
The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the World’s first ever global treaty on health. Several countries have ratified the treaty that aims to reduce tobacco use and the related health burden globally. India was among the earlier countries to sign and ratify the treaty. The treaty negotiation happens through a conference of parties that meet periodically. The last (8th) session of the conference of parties happened in Geneva. Upendra Bhojani of the Institute of Public Health (IPH) participated in the session as a civil society observer. He represented the Framework Convention Alliance, a global alliance of civil society organizations interested in ensuring better implementation of the WHO FCTC. Upendra worked as part of a team from the Department of Anthropology, Durham University doing event ethnography of the session of the Conference of the Parties.
