Inaugural Indian Obstetrics and Gynaecology (IOG) Dr. Stya Paul Awards 2012 held

Inaugurating the function with a lamp lighting ceremony by hon’ble Sir (Dr.) Arulkumaran, President Elect, FIGO and Professor & Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George’s, University of London, Mr. Vijay Berlia, Chairman, Svran Group and Apeejay Stya Group and Mrs. Sushma Berlia, President of Apeejay Stya &Svran Group, and Co-Founder & Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University, the eminent dignitaries graced the occasion.

Mrs. Sushma Berlia, addressing and welcoming the august gathering, ruminated the achievements of Dr. Stya Paul and gave the audience a brief insight into his life and challenges faced by the late Founder Chairman, Apeejay Stya Group. She said, “Dr. Stya Paul was no saint, nor some sort of a God, nor somebody who did wonderful things which are beyond us, but he was a child and a man as much as we all are who succeeded despite all the challenges in his life.”

Further she said, “Throughout his life, Dr. Stya Paul contributed to the cause of good healthcare for the poor and women’s education and empowerment. It is therefore apt that today’s Awards evening, which recognises excellence in research in the pursuit of health of women & their new-borns is instituted in Dr. Stya Paul’s memory.”

Introducing special guest, Sir (Dr.) Arulkumaran, of the occasion, Mr. Aditya Berlia, Member, Management Board, Apeejay Stya &Svran Group, cited the importance and purpose of the major highlight of the Awards ceremony – Oration Lecture on Pre-Eclampsia&Eclampsia: Evolution and Current Status by Sir Arulkumaran. He said, “Today, as we commemorate the memory of Dr. Stya Paul who championed the cause of women empowerment and child development in the country throughout his life, it is but apt that the Oration Lecture of the evening is one that directly deals with the well-being of mothers worldwide.” As he explained, “The medical condition of Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia that arises from hypertension during pregnancy affects nearly 10% of pregnant women worldwide. They are responsible for 10-13 percent of all maternal deaths in the worldwide and have significant association with maternal morbidity, stillbirths, neonatal morbidity and mortality.”

The much-awaited Oration Lecture progressed flawlessly with Sir (Dr.) Sabaratnam Arulkumaran throwing light on the hypertensive disorders, Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia affecting pregnant women. He said,“Hypertensive diseases and conditions include Gestational Hypertension, Preeclamsia (PET), Eclampsia and Chronic Hypertension in pregnancy. Preeclampsia is classified as severe when any of the following conditions is present: Severe Hypertension, Heavy Proteinuria or Substantial Maternal Organ Dysfunction. It is a multi-system disorder and can involve any organ of the body but particularly the kidneys, liver, CNS, coagulation system and placenta.”

The event followed with the introduction of IOG Journal by Dr. J. B. Sharma, Editor-in-Chief, IOG Journal & Additional Professor, Dept. of Obst & Gynae, AIIMS, New Delhi; in addition to presentation of Green Certificates to the IOG Editorial Board. The Awards ceremony also witnessed the launch IOG website by honorable Sir (Dr.) S. Arulkumaran. In addition, he also released the latest IOG journal.