National conference on adolescent health to be held today
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 13 2015 : The 9th National Conference on Adolescent Health on the theme "Ensuring Adolescent Friendly Quality Service" will be held at RIMS Jubilee Hall on March 14 under the aegis of Community Medicine Department, RIMS.

Organizer of the National conference Dr Akoijam Brogen, Professor of Department of Community Medicine, RIMS said that the conference will focus more on the adolescent community of the State.

He said that 20 per cent of the Indian population comprises of adolescent and these vast sections of the society are in the transition period to adults.

In such a scenario there are beliefs that adolescents are healthy, but they face serious problems like any other adults.

"Problems like mental health, HIV, injuries from accidents, substance abuse (addictive behaviour), life style related problems and other chronic diseases are faced by adolescents", Brogen added.

The State and the country need to focus more on this neglected population of the society, he added.

All the stake holders of the society are invited to participate in the National conference to share their knowledge and experience and discuss on what needs to be done to solve the problems faced by adolescents.

Altogether 500 persons have registered to participate in the National conference including 50 participants from across the State.

Meanwhile Professor J Kishor, National Secretary of Indian Association for Adolescent Health said that such a conference would benefit adolescents of the State.

"To improve the productive capacity of the country, we need to focus on the population of adolescents", he added.

International experts in this field such as Dr Bruce Dick, president of International Association of Adolescent Health, Geneva and other National experts would participate in the 9th National Conference on Adolescent Health.

Kishor further said that such conference would highlight the issues faced by adolescents and counsel the society on how to face the issues by them.

He showed his gratitude towards the organizing committee of RIMS on hosting such a National conference.

In the press meet P Romola, Associate Professor Department of Community Medicine added that the conference is for each and every section of the society and everyone should benefit from it.

She added that a program 'Reflection' has been added in the conference for school going adolescents to express their feelings and problems which will highlight the first hand experiences from students themselves.

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