Doctors coming BIHAR,admitted they were Prejudiced.

Generally national-level conferences prove to be an excellent platform for exchange of knowledge, but the AICOG conference held in Bihar after 25 years proved to be a platform for image building for Bihar.All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Patna under the aegis of Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India. AICOG is a great opportunity for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists all around the world to share the most updated information in different fields of this speciality.

Most of the national and international delegates who attended the conference accepted they had inhibitions about coming to Bihar, but as they left the state, they admitted they were prejudiced.

Dr Riddhi Shukla (Ahmedabad), like many others, said her husband and friends had warned against going to Bihar. "However, after reaching here, I found they were completely wrong. It is as safe as any other state. I could not roam around much, but my experience has so far been fantastic and I am going to tell the same to other colleagues in my hometown."

Dr Minati Rath, New Delhi, said she had a great time in Bihar. "The other day they had served chura-dahi. After moving to Delhi from Odisha, my home state, I missed it for a long time. "

Dr Nozer K Sheriar, Mumbai, an officer-bearer of the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India, said, "I visited Bihar in 2004 too. It is a completely transformed place now. I just wish that health becomes a priority for the state government and politics does not hamper development," said Dr Sheriar.

Dr Uday Thannawala, who had come from Navi Mumbai, said he had come to Bihar in early 2005. "After we settled down in a hotel, I thought we would roam around the city in evening, but I was advised against it," said Dr Uday, adding, "I do not know whether it is safe now or not." When this reporter said he needs to roam around to do the reality check, he said, "You are probably the first girl to say that Bihar is safe!"

Many of his colleagues refused to come just because it was organized in Bihar, said Dr Pratik Tambe of Mumbai and added they had missed some real good exchange of knowledge.

International delegates also appreciated Bihar's hospitality. Dr Koki Agarwal, Washington DC, said, "As a part of Jhpiego project, I used to work in Bihar earlier too. But before its "transformation", it was very difficult to work here. However, now many bottlenecks have been removed, though many more still need to be done." She was very particular about garbage in the city. "It is appalling to see garbage scattered almost everywhere in the city. It is an invitation to a host of health problems and diarrhoea, pneumonia and dengue," she warned.

source:TOI