zA symposium marking “World Neglected Tropical Disease Day” under the theme “Unite, Act, Eliminate” was successfully organized at the NINE auditorium, PGIMER Chandigarh.

The Indian Association of Dermatologists Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) and the Special Interest Group Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), along with the Department of Dermatology and the National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER, Chandigarh, organized the event on January 30, 2024.

The event drew active participation from 150 attendees.

Inaugural Addresses

Prof Sanjeev Handa, Head of the Department of Dermatology, PGIMER, inaugurated the symposium, highlighting the scale and unmet needs in NTDs. Dr Sukhpal Kaur, Principal of NINE, stressed the crucial role of nurses as frontline healthcare providers in combating NTDs.

Dr Tarun Narang, Additional Professor (Department of Dermatology, PGI, Chandigarh) and Coordinator of SIG, NTD, (IADVL),

emphasized the imperative of global collaboration to address neglected tropical diseases and the health challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Key Topics

The symposium addressed various topics crucial for tackling NTD challenges, including skin NTDs, tropical fever with rash, leprosy, the One Health approach to NTDs, WASH initiatives, and the significance of mental health in NTDs, as discussed by experts.

Community Engagement

Preceding the symposium, students and teachers arranged activities to promote health awareness and education within the community. Health melas occurred at different dispensaries in Chandigarh to raise awareness about NTDs and common skin diseases, emphasizing sanitation and hygiene.

Poster Competition

Furthermore, a poster competition held on January 25, in alignment with the NTD day theme “Unite, Act, Eliminate,” acknowledged the top three posters during the symposium.