The First South Asian Regional Conference of Dermatology (SARCD I ) was held at Kathmandu from October 1 till 4 in the year 1999. Her Majesty Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah had graciously inaugurated the conference on 1st October 1999 at Birendra International Convention Center. The Society of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists of Nepal (SODVELON) had organized this conference.
Speeches by Dr. V.B.Rajbhandari, Organizing Chairman SARCD I, Dr.A.K.Jha, Organizing Secretary and Dr. Bimala ojha, President SODVELON during the First SARCD
Dr. V.B.Rajbhandari, Organizing Chairman SARCD I
In June 1997 during the 19th World Congress of Dermatology held at Sydney the idea to hold some regional conference in this region was evolved. It was the then President of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and leprologists IADVL who suggested me to host it in Nepal. Later Executive Committee of our Society decided to host the conference after consultations with all the dermatological Associations and societies of South Asia. After mutual consultations with all concerned, the various committees were formed. There have been very good responses from the whole of South Asia with about 500 participants attending this Conference. Besides we have delegates from the overseas also who have shown keen interest to be here during this Conference. We are fortunate to hold the First South Asian Regional Conference of Dermatology SARCD during.
The main objectives of this Conference are as follows:
- To establish close links and interactions between dermatologists, venereologists and leprologists of this region.
- Sort out common problems and work out the best means of prevention of diseases especially in the field of sexually transmitted diseases, leprosy and various communicable skin diseases` with combined research effort and data collection.
- For the prevention of much talked about AIDS problem because prostitution and girl trafficking is a menace in this region.
- To have mutual exchange of knowledge among members of this region.
- To plan and expand mutual co-operation in future.
- To form South Asian Regional Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists SARAD.