Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute celebrated its 70th Foundation Day on 5th April 2019 by organizing the 21st Raman Vishwanathan VPCI Oration. Shri Sanjeeva Kumar, Additional Secretary (Health), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India was the Chief Guest and Dr Jagdish Kaur, Regional Adviser, Tobacco Free Initiative, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia was the Guest of Honour of this event. Dr Rohit Sarin, Director, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD), New Delhi, delivered this Oration titled; “Newer Drugs and Shorter Regimen for MDR TB: The Road Ahead”.
Prof. Raj Kumar, Director, VPCI, delivered the Welcome address and presented the Institute report including various development activities held during last year.
Dr Jagdish Kaur, congratulated the Institute on its Foundation Day and addressed the gathering about the role of Tobacco Free Initiative in India. She appreciated the
performances and services of National Tobacco Quit Line Services (NTQLS), VPCI and said that it is the best in South Asia. She motivated the present audience to take part in WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY – 2019 by adopting tobacco free life and encouraging other also.
Shri Sanjeeva Kumar, spoke about the various measures and strategies of Govt. of India, in eradicating Tuberculosis from India by 2025.
The NTQLS – VPCI Newsletter (Biannual), a National Tobacco Quit Line Services (NTQLS), VPCI initiative, was released by Shri Sanjeeva Kumar, the Chief Guest of the event. The Chief Guest also inaugurated the Short Term Training Programme (STTP) for Technical Staff on Pulmonary Function Test of VPCI.
The Programme ended with a vote of thanks by Prof. B.K. Menon, Deptt. of Pulmonary Medicine, VPCI.
