Four-day national dermatology conference to start at PGI today

Chandigarh, January 23 Nearly 4000 dermatologists are expected to take part in DERMACON 2008, the 36th National Conference of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL). The conference is being organised by the PGIMER Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy. The four-day conference begins on Thursday at PGI.

IADVL is one of the largest dermatologic associations in the world. “We have invited pioneers in the field of dermatology to share their experiences and offer new perspectives. Nearly 45 speakers from across the world will speak on recent advances in the field. Focus sessions on vesiculo-bullous diseases, psoriasis, vitiligo, urticaria and dermatosurgery will also be held,” said head of the PGI dermatology department, Prof A J Kanwar.

The theme of the conference is pediatric dermatology. “During the past three decades, Pediatric Dermatology has emerged as a specialty. Earlier, interest in skin diseases among children was limited. There was also a paucity of medical literature,” said a doctor.

Sources said that Pediatric Dermatology is now recognised as a separate specialty in most countries.