HEAL - Health Essayists & Authors League organised the Ist National Health Writers & Communicators Convention on April 11-12, 2008 at ASSOCHAM House, New Delhi. The Convention was inaugurated by Honourable Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss.


The convention was organised with the objective to address serious issues like honest and responsible health writing, and problems faced by Health Writers in general. Moreover, Health Writers play a crucial role in disseminating issues to the layman in a language they understand on the latest advancements and findings related to healthcare. In an age where medical advancements churn out statistics, findings and research that repudiates beliefs and long-held myths, it becomes necessary to bring Health Writers and Communicators on a single platform where they can mingle with fellow colleagues to discuss and advance their skills.

More then 100 health writers, Communicators and Broadcasters gathered from SAARC nations to participate in the Convention. The convention was addressed by distinguished speakers from diverse fields of medicine and the corporate world on various subjects.

Day I Sessions


The first Session on Writing on Food & Nutrition Issues was spearheaded by Guest Speaker Dr. Shashank Joshi, Director and Sr. Consultant Endocrinology, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai who spoke on “Latest issues related to Food & Nutrition in the country.” Dr. (Prof) HPS Sachdev, Sr. Consultant – Paediatrics & Epidemiology, Sita Ram Bhartia Research Institute was also there to deliver the Key Notes on this topic.


The second session relating to Water-Borne Diseases in terms of Prevention and Medication Practices was chaired by Dr Nirmal Kumar, Sr. Consultant, Gastroenterology, Director- Action Balaji Hospital, New Delhi. Dr. V.K Monga Chairman – Health Committee, MCD was the Guest Speaker who spoke about ‘Water Borne Diseases Safety & Precaution’ followed by the Speaker Dr. Suresh Sisodia, Senior General Manager- Technical Services, Eureka Forbes Ltd who deliberated on “Future of Healthcare- Drinking Water & Safe Living” The session concluded with a note that more then 70% of diseases are caused by contaminated water and we should save pure drinking water by using different water conservation models.

The third session relating to Organ Transplantation Act- a Critical Evaluation was chaired by Dr. Samiran Nundy, Chairman of Organ Transplant program, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi and was coordinated by Dr. Harsh Johari Sr. Consultant & Chairman – Renal Transplant Programme, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi who is also a part of ‘Organ Transplant Act Review Committee’ set up by the Govt of India. After the burst of Kidney Transplant racket in Gurgaon, people went against organ transplantation. In this regard Dr. Samiran shared that thousand of patients die due lack of organs which could have been used to save them.

Day II Sessions


The Cardiology Workshop was organised by the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) & supported by HEAL which was coordinated by Dr. Ashok Seth, President CSI Delhi & Chairman & Chief Cardiologist, Max Heart & Vascular Institute, New Delhi. Dr.H.K Chopra, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Moolchand Hospital, enthralled the audience by illustrating facts and figures on how the changing lifestyle and food habits are responsible for increasing Cardiac problems in India. Dr.Rakesh Gupta, Chief Clinician and NIC Director, JROP Healthcare illustrated the methods of diagnostics and treatment.



The Future of Healthcare Convention was inaugurated by Former Hon’ble Union HRD Minster Dr.Murli Manohar Joshi. Dr.Joshi accentuated that these kinds of initiatives are going to prove a big boost in creating networks and uplifting the quality of Health Infrastructure in India.” Dr. C.P Thakur, Member of Parliament & Former Union Minister, MOHFW, GOI also graced the occasion. During the convention, Business Heads, CEOs addressed issues on the Future of Traditional Medicine, Future of Medicine etc.


Considering the importance of Health Writer’s role in sensitising the masses and their excellence in disseminating the latest findings and technology to the layman, HEAL recognized the Health Writers and honoured them with HEAL HONOUR 2008 Awards for their excellence in health writing.

In a nation where over 50% are young and average age of a heart attack is 30 years, there is cause for concern. With changing lifestyles, we are adding junk food to an already existing tradition of rich food.  Result is the rising incidence in coronary heart disease in the community - particularly in young men – which is almost twice as high as their western counterparts.

To promote healthy eating habits and alter the sedentary lifestyle, we had organized Health Food Festival, a public awareness lecture focusing on “Matters of Young Heart” to create awareness on the need to adapt healthy diets for lowering the risk of heart diseases. Chaired by Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman & Chief Cardiologist Max Devki Devi Heart and Vascular Institute, Ms. Charu Dua, Chief Dietician, Max Healthcare and Ex-Chief Dietician at AIIMS Mrs Rekha Sharma gave lecture in promoting healthy lifestyle.