Dr Shantha Kumari takes charge as FOGSI chief
Dr Shantha Kumari on Sunday took charge as the 60th president of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Society of India (FOGSI), thus becoming the first-ever president of the organisation from both Telugu states.
On the occasion, Dr Kumari recalled her journey to becoming the president of the organisation and thanked her supporters and mentors for their guidance throughout. She explained the mission and vision of FOGSI under her presidentship through the upcoming projects, ‘FOGSI for all, always’ and ‘Dheera: Stop violence against women’.
Under the Dheera project, an initiative undertaken by Dr Kumari and her team aim at sensitising obstetrician-gynaecologists, the police and the public, while partnering with men in society to say no to violence against women.
In her presidential speech, Dr Kumari said during her presidency, FOGSI would aim at achieving reduction of maternal morbidity rates during childbirth and also allow all gynaecology practitioners to practice with dignity under protocols.
Dr Kumari will be accompanied by her team consisting of vice-presidents Dr Alpana Verma, Dr Basab Mukherjee, Dr Bipin Pandit, and Dr Kabita Bapat. Dr Madhuri Patel will become the first woman secretary-general of FOGSI in its 70-year-long history and Dr Swarna Khadilkar as the deputy secretary-general. Dr Parikshit Tank will take over as the treasurer for FOGSI 202122, Dr Niranjan Chavan as the joint treasurer and Dr Aruna Suman will be the joint secretary.
During the event, the outgoing president Dr Alpesh Gandhi also enlisted the work done under the FOGSI team for 2020-21 during the tough pandemic year, paying tribute to at least 18 members who lost their lives to Covid-19 in the line of duty. He congratulated the FOGSI members on the government’s decision to allow Covid-19 vaccines for pregnant women on the recommendation of the organisation.