In line with the views of the society for inter-societal networking and co-operation,
MeLeSoN held MeLeCoN and IAMLE 2019 from 12th– 15thSeptember 2019 at Hotel
Akama, Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, Nepal.
This was a truly international conference co-organised by two national societies from
India and Nepal, namely the Indian Association of Medico-Legal Experts and Medico-Legal
Society of Nepal.
The conference provided a unique opportunity to Academicians, Professionals,
Students, Judiciary, Police and Policy makers to learn from each other through plenary and
scientific sessions about complex medico-legal issues. The participants included 152
delegates from 13 countries, including Nepal, ranging from undergraduate students to retired
professors and policy makers.
The conference was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Hon. Justice Anup Raj Sharma,
Chairman of National Human Right Commission, Nepal. The inauguration ceremony was
also graced by Guests of Honour – IGP Sarbendra Khanal, Inspector General of Nepal Police,
Dr Pushpa Chaudhary, Secretary at Ministry of Health and Population, Mr. Andre Pacquet,
Head of Mission of International Committee of the Red Cross, Kathmandu and Deputy
Attorney General Mr. Bishwaraj Koirala from the Attorney General’s Office. The dignitaries
on the dias were joined by Prof. Dr Adarsh Kumar, Organising President, MeLeCoN and
IAMLE 2019.
The ceremony started with the national anthem by undergraduate students from
Kathmandu Medical College. They also performed Gayatri Mantra and a cultural dance. This
was followed by lighting of lamp to declare the conference open.
The dignitaries expressed their views on the importance of development of medicolegal
system in Nepal to assist the judicial and police investigations over allegations of
misconduct. They discussed recent cases and how the medico-legal system should be
developed to safeguard against future incidents of alleged mismanagement.
The scientific sessions started with the JP Modi Oration by Prof. Stephen Cordner
from Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne, Australia, who shared his 35-year
experience in “Reflections on running a Medico-Legal Service”.
The plenary and scientific sessions pondered on a wide range of topic of interest to
the participants. The topics discussed varied from management to forensic pathology case
reports, including medico-legal aspects of pharmacopoeia, human rights aspects of menstrual
health, artificial intelligence in medicine amongst others.
A total of 17 plenary talks, 51 paper presentations and 27 poster presentations were
conducted during the four days of the conference. In addition, an ICRC Symposium on
Humanitarian Forensic, a Forensic Odontology and Disaster Victim Identification Workshop,
CME on Medical Negligence and Violence against Medical Personnel and Panel Discussions
on Gender Based Violence as well as Investigation of custodial deaths were also conducted
by national and international Facilitators during the conference.
The ICRC Symposium on Humanitarian Forensics was inaugurated by Andre
Pacquet, Head of Mission, International Committee of Red Cross, Kathmandu. Prof. Stephen
Cordner, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, DrPanjai Woharndee, Vice-Chair, Asia-
Pacific Medico-Legal Agencies and Dr Rijen Shrestha, President, Medico-Legal Society of
Nepal were the dignitaries on dias with Dr.Prashantha Bhagvath, Forensic Advisor, ICRC,
New Delhi moderating the symposium. The facilitators presented on the various aspects of
Humanitarian Forensics, with focus on the management of DVI operations conducted during
the Bushfire and Tsunami Disasters. The dignitaries also emphasised on the need to further
develop the Forensic disaster response in Nepal by training forensic experts.
The Forensic Odontology and Disaster Victim Identification Workshop was
extensive. The facilitators presented on the status of forensic odontology in various parts of
the world. They also presented on their experiences on DVI operations in major disasters
around the world. The delegates participated in a hand on workshop on charting of the dental
odontogram. The facilitators then presented on the importance of databases and their
management.
The CME on Medical Negligence and Violence against Medical Doctors was
inaugurated by Mr. Sanjiv Raj Regmi, Deputy Attorney General, Attorney General’s Office.
The dignitaries on the dias included Dr Lochan Karki, Secretary, Nepal Medical Association,
Dr Rijen Shresetha, President, Medico-Legal Society of Nepal and Mr. Sitaram Prasai,
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion advisor, Nepal Health Sector Support Program,
Muzaherul Huq, Organising Chair, 13th Congress of the Indo-Pacific Association of Law,
Medicine and Sciences. The dignitaries discussed the need to reform the law regarding
medical negligence, with the need to implement stricter regulations against perpetrators of
violence against medical personnel. They also discussed the need to implement prevailing
laws and regulations for protection of medical personnel and institutions.
The CME looked at the present scenario of increased allegations of medical
negligence and incidences of violence against medical personnel in India and Nepal. The
facilitators presented on various recent cases that have garnered media attention and political
scrutiny. They also discussed the need to follow the rule of law and dissuade administrators
from providing compensation as this is contributing to impunity of criminals.
The closing ceremony saw the valedictory function –
- Dr Abhishek Yadav, AIIMS, New Delhi, and Dr Haneil L D’Souza, KMC,
Mangalore, were declared the joint winners for Oral presentation – Faculty - Dr. Kaschev Shrestha, PAHS, Lalitpur, was declared the winner for Poster
presentation – Faculty - Dr. Toniya Raut, BPKIHS, Dharan, was declared the winner for Oral
presentation – Post Graduate - Dr. Varsha Sharma, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, was declared the winner
for Poster presentation – Post Graduate - Dr. Shantanu Dubey, ITS Dental College, Ghaziabad, was declared the winner
of the Poster presentation – Under Graduate
This was followed by vote of thanks from Dr Rijen Shrestha, Organising Secretary.
Dr Adarsh Kumar, Organising President then informed the audience of New Delhi as the
venue for IAMLE 2020. The conference was declared closed.
