Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], August 22 (ANI): The 16th Annual Conference of the Clinical Infectious Diseases Society (CIDS) was inaugurated by State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya.
The international conference, 'Clinical Infectious Diseases Society Conference: CIDSCON 2026, is being held on the theme "Addressing AMR: From Awareness to Action."
According to a press release issued by the Chief Minister's office, a scientific deliberation by the medical fraternity to combat the rapidly spreading threat of infectious diseases and the silent danger of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is rendering antibiotics ineffective, began at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
Expressing serious concern over the tendency among small clinics and doctors to prescribe high-dose or more powerful antibiotics even for minor and common illnesses, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said that indiscriminate use of antibiotics could pose a major threat to public health in the future. To address this issue, the state government will soon organise a statewide awareness programme involving doctors from all systems of medicine, including allopathic, Ayurvedic and homoeopathic practitioners.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, Minister Pansheriya said that the practice of self-medication without medical advice is reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics even in common illnesses such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He urged doctors to educate patients about the importance of completing the prescribed course of antibiotics and not discontinuing treatment midway, the release said.
The Health Minister emphasised that the fight against antimicrobial resistance is not limited to the Health Department alone, but is a collective responsibility of all doctors, hospitals, pharmacists and every citizen of the state. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programmes and infection-control systems in hospitals is an urgent need of the hour, he said.
He added that the state is strengthening and streamlining early-warning surveillance and laboratory-based monitoring for the timely control of diseases through modern digital platforms such as the Gujarat State AMR Surveillance Network and the AMR Dashboard.
On the occasion, Minister Praful Pansheriya also highlighted the importance of mental well-being alongside physical health. He said that maintaining mental resilience has become increasingly important amid global infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and the stress associated with modern lifestyles. He stressed the need to create greater awareness about serious issues such as depression and mental stress and to address them appropriately.
As per the release, the Health Minister expressed confidence that doctors would utilise the new knowledge and advanced research gained from the conference to provide more excellent and effective treatment to patients in their respective fields. He also congratulated the entire organising team for successfully conducting the conference.
Speaking on the occasion, CIDS President Subramanian Swaminathan said that a recent case highlighted the growing importance of infectious disease medicine. He recalled that an 11-year-old patient suffering from a severe and resistant infection for nearly 11 years had recently approached their team after undergoing treatment at several places without success. Their clinical pharmacologist prepared a specialised treatment, following which the patient made a complete recovery.
"The patient returned to meet us with a smile after making a complete recovery. This demonstrates that when it comes to drug resistance and complex diseases, our specialised expertise can bring about a major positive change in the lives of ordinary citizens," Swaminathan said.
He added that the strength of CIDS lies in its senior mentors, who have contributed their time and guidance selflessly over the past 20 years and helped the organisation reach its present level. The new generation of doctors is fortunate to have the support and guidance of such eminent experts, he said.
Swaminathan further stressed the need for collaboration among various disciplines, including microbiology, pharmacy, nursing, public health and administration, to build a brighter future for healthcare, the press release said.
Delivering the welcome address, Organising Chairman Atul Patel said that infectious diseases are constantly evolving and creating serious challenges for the medical community. Since the health of humans, animals and the environment is interconnected, the concept of 'One Health' has become indispensable.
He said that antimicrobial resistance is no longer a hypothetical threat but has become a harsh reality of everyday clinical practice.
Patel further noted that advanced developments in modern medical science, including complex surgeries and cancer immunotherapy, could be jeopardised by antibiotic failure. This is precisely why the central theme of the conference has been chosen as 'AMR: From Awareness to Action.'
He emphasised that doctors must ensure accurate diagnosis before prescribing antibiotics, strengthen microbiology services, prescribe the right medicine at the appropriate dosage and for the correct duration, and place greater emphasis on infection prevention.
He added that the conference would not be limited to an exchange of knowledge but would serve as an important platform to reassess prevailing practices, present new research and identify practical solutions for hospitals and communities.
The release noted that on the occasion, the book 'Antimicrobial Stewardship Program' was released by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya and other dignitaries.
At the conclusion of the programme, Organising Secretary Surbhi Madan expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and participants.
The conference was attended by CIDS Secretary Neha Gupta, Treasurer Kavitha, Scientific Chairperson Tanu Singhal and Co-Organising Chairman Harsh Toshniwal, along with officials and staff. Renowned infectious disease specialists, leading researchers, microbiologists and physicians from India as well as countries including the United States and Singapore also participated in the conference. (ANI)
Gujarat: Health Minister Praful Pansheriya inaugurates 16th Annual Conference of CIDSCON 2026 in Gandhinagar
