XIM-B Organizes Conference on Millennium Development Goals & Health

Centre for Healthcare Management, XIM-B, Organizes Conference on Millennium Development Goals & Health

The Fifth All India Conference of Indian Association for Social Sciences & Health (IASSH) on "Millennium Development Goals & Health" was organized by Centre for Healthcare Management, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar from 7th April

to 9th April 2008, with the technical and financial support from UNFPA, ICICI Bank, UNICEF Orissa, GTZ and Population Foundation of India.

The Chief Guest for the inauguration of the conference was Shri. Nesim Tumkaya, UNFPA Representative. Also present on the occasion were Mr. Shadrack Omol, UNICEF Representative for the State of Orissa; Prof. P. K. B. Nayar, President, IASSH; Dr. K. E. Vaidyanathan, Vice-President, IASSH; Fr. P. T. Joseph, S. J., Director, XIMB; Prof. W. S. William, Dean, XIMB; Fr. E. A. Augustine, S. J., Dean (Administration & Finance), XIMB and Prof. S. Peppin, Organising Secretary, Professor & Coordinator, Centre for Healthcare Management, XIMB.

Though the genesis of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is linked to the earlier attempts at the global level to address development, what makes MDGs unique is the identification of key indicators with specific targets. While this departure in the approach poses many challenges, it also throws open enormous opportunities for countries such as India to achieve the MDGs.

Health being an important indicator of development, achievement of these goals assumes significant importance. Therefore, through this conference, an attempt is made to bring participants from various institutions to share their views on how achieving health related goals are a necessary condition to promote development.

The conference has identified three themes for the symposia and eleven titles for the technical sessions. Renowned experts from the field of health and development will speak both at the symposia and technical sessions.

Speaking on the conference Shri Pradeep Jena, Assistant Country Director, UNDP Orissa Programmes, said, "There is a very long way to go in order to achieve the MDGs. There is a need for all of us to act together and put in all our efforts. I sincerely believe that the conference will contribute immensely in understanding what needs to done in order to achieve MDGs pertaining to Health sector."

It is hoped that this conference will generate useful and meaningful discussions and identify suitable suggestions and recommendations for achieving MDGs in India.

Concluded.

Contributed by -
Dinah J. Rodrigues,,
Coordinator, IlluminatiX,
Media and PR Cell,
Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.