Roundtable on silicosis held

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Mine Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC) organised a firstof-its-kind national roundtable meeting to combat silicosis.

Experts from all over India deliberated on various challenges in identifying the occupational diseases. A senior occupational health physician Dr Shyam Pingle emphasised on the need of integration at various levels for cornering occupational diseases.

The effort was supported by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Occupational Health. Dr KC Agarwal described the recent updates in the diagnosis and identification of Silicosis. Dr Murli V presented his vast experience in managing silicosis patients and showed that the way forward should start with a comprehensive history taking by the investigating doctor.

Rana Sengupta, managing trustee of MLPC said that the government has declared compensation for silicosis patients but diagnosis and documentation continue to be a major hurdle in the certification of patients. Only after certification is a victim eligible for compensation, relief or supportive care, he added.

“There are approximately 30 lakhs unorganised mineworkers in the state, and independent scientific research states that up to 56% of the mineworkers are affected by silicosis,” he added.

Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease.