IDPD National Conference demands that all nuclear weapons possessing countries join TPNW; expresses concern over health issues in Kashmir

by Arun Mitra

The 11^th National Conference of Indian Doctors for Peace and Development was held at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 31 August and 1 September 2019. Among several issues discussed in the conference, it put main thrust on the demand to all the nuclear weapons possessing countries to join Treaty Prohibiting Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as an opportunity to save the world from nuclear disaster. The conference also expressed concern over health issues in Kashmir.

Various speakers in the conference said that various parts of the world are in turmoil now where low- to medium-level conflicts are going on. This poses the world to risk of use of nuclear weapons.

South Asia is in a very serious situation with both India and Pakistan threatening the use of nuclear weapons in case of war between the two. The only way out is to hold dialogue between the two countries without any ifs and buts.

IDPD President Dr S. S. Soodan (fourth row from bottom, center) displays replica of ICAN’s 2017 Nobel Peace Prize during IDPD National Conference.

The Conference expressed concern at the continuing information and movement control  in the Kashmir valley which is affecting healthcare delivery to the people even for serious illnesses. Detention of Dr. Omar for requesting to ease the situation for patients and health providers speaks of the tension there. Such situations globally have caused health crisis including mental health problems. The conference demanded immediate easing of the situation.

The conference was attended by 172 delegates including large number of medical students from various states covering all parts of India. The conference elected Dr. S. S. Soodan as President and Dr. Shakeel Ur Rahman as General Secretary.  A central Council was elected to carry forward the activities in future.

Dr. Mitra is co-president of IPPNW and senior vice president of Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD)