The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and Dr.Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC), Chennai in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), USA conducted the National Seminar on “Prevention and Control of NCDs” for the sixth consecutive year from 28 -30 March 2008. This is supported by the world-renowned National Institutes of Health (NIH) U.S.A. Dr. O. Dale Williams, Associate Director, Division of Preventive Medicine, is the Principal Investigator from the UAB (USA) and he is assisted by Dr. Cora E. Lewis of UAB and Dr. Myron Gross from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, while Dr. V. Mohan, President of MDRF and Dr. M. Rema, Vice President, MDRF are the Principal Investigators from the MDRF assisted by Mrs.R.Guha Pradeepa and other colleagues from MDRF.

Inauguration of the seminar by Dr. Poongothai, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Tamilnadu.	Dr. Dale Williams, Associate Director, Division of Preventive Medicine, UAB (USA) lighting the lamp during the inaugural function

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SEMINAR

The three-day national seminar, which was designed for those who are currently involved in clinical or epidemiological work with the focus on Prevention of NCDs like diabetes, obesity, hypertension or cardiovascular diseases was attended by 101 delegates from 22 different institutions from 14 states across India including the North east region. The seminar was conducted by 21 faculty: three from US, 10 from MDRF and 8 from various institutes in India. The seminar had 13 lectures followed by sound interaction and four workshops.

The first workshop was the ‘Orientation session’ during which the delegates were divided into in five groups and highlighted the steps to conduct studies, which helped the delegates to get to known about the steps in formulating, executing and interpreting research studies. Workshop 2 dealt with ‘Methodology for under taking epidemiological/ surveillance of NCDs using ‘WHO STEPS approach‘. This workshop helped the delegates to get to known about the tools used in ‘WHO Steps Approach’ and had hands on practical experience in taking clinical and anthropometric measurements in a standard way. Workshop 3 was ‘Raising awareness on diabetes and NCDs in urban and rural India and use of Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS)’ and Workshop 4 dealt with ‘ Implementation of intervention programme on NCD Prevention and Control’ in different settings including

1. Urban
2. Rural
3. Educational Institutions
4. Worksite and
5. Worship places

Staff from department of epidemiology, MDRF demonstrating the standard techniques for measuring height during Workshop 2, coordinated by Dr.K.Anand, Associate Professor, Centre for Community Medicine,AIIMS, New Delhi	Delegates measuring their height during the Workshop 2
Dignitaries on the dais during the inaugural function	Delegates and guests gracing the occasion

This seminar organized under the auspices of the Indian NCD Network (INN), played a critical role in building awareness and in building credibility for research in the field of NCDs in India. The seminar facilitated a smooth transition to productive research careers of young investigators and thus will have immediate impact on public health in India.
           
In addition, an Intensive training programme for over 30 junior scientists on clinical research methods was conducted on the 27th and 28 th of March 2008. This course included in-depth training on designing studies and risk factor analysis.

The faculty helped them to 

• Improve the capability of the student/researcher
• Identify methodological issues in study designs
• Identify ways to overcome potential challenges
• Interpret the research findings and understand the significance of the study results and
•  Improve the presentation and communication skills of researchers

Delegates working in groups during the workshop	Faculty helping the students plan their research projects
Faculty helping the students plan their research projects	Mobility break
One of the delegate presenting the project