In a significant step towards strengthening specialised child healthcare services, Himachal Pradesh is set to host its first-ever dedicated paediatric endocrine symposium on June 14 at Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (Dr RPGMC), Kangra.
The symposium is being organised by the Dhauladhar Paediatric and Adolescent Endocrine Care Society (DPAECS) and will bring together leading experts from across the country to deliberate on childhood diabetes, obesity, growth disorders, hormonal diseases and other endocrine conditions affecting children.
The event marks a milestone in the state’s medical landscape, as paediatric endocrinology remains a relatively underdeveloped specialty in many hill states despite a growing burden of endocrine and metabolic disorders among children.
Renowned specialists from premier institutions, including PGIMER-Chandigarh; Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi; Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi; CMC-Ludhiana; MGMCH-Jaipur; and several other centres of excellence, will participate in the symposium. Experts will discuss the latest developments in paediatric endocrinology, diabetes technology, genetics, precision medicine and endocrine surgery.
Dr Atul Gupta, organising secretary of the symposium and associate professor at the Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrine Division at Dr RPGMC-Kangra, said the conference had been envisioned as a platform to bring world-class academic discussions and contemporary clinical practices to the state.
“This is the first conference of its kind in Himachal Pradesh exclusively dedicated to paediatric endocrinology. Besides serving as a high-quality academic platform, it will help enhance awareness and strengthen the knowledge and skills of paediatricians in diagnosing and managing endocrine disorders in children,” he said.
Dr Gupta noted that the incidence of childhood diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders, growth abnormalities and puberty-related conditions was increasing, underscoring the need for focused training and capacity-building among healthcare professionals.
Key sessions will focus on Type-I diabetes, continuous glucose monitoring, automated insulin delivery systems (artificial pancreas technology), childhood obesity, growth disorders, precocious puberty, thyroid diseases and genetic endocrine conditions. A hands-on workshop on advanced diabetes technologies will also be conducted.
