ITACCS INDIA

 

 

About ITACCS India

History

The need for a single organization in India under which multi-disciplinary professionals could come together and promote quality education and optimal standard care of trauma patients was recognized in the early 1990s. With this aim a conference was held in New Delhi in 1994 and supported by International Trauma Care (ITACCS). The conference was organized by Prof. A. Bhattacharya and Dr. Rajesh Chawla and a second conference was planned to be held in Chennai in 1995. The organizing committee for 1995 under the chairmanship of Prof. Martin G. Issac invited Dr. Christopher Grande, Executive Director of ITACCS (USA), Prof. Yoel Donchin (Israel), Prof. John Schou (Germany), Prof. M. Natarajan (Chennai), Prof. Chockalingam (Chennai), Col (Dr) N. C. Krishnan (Armed Forces). The formation of Indian chapter was encouraged and approved. The constitution of this society was drawn up and was ITACCS Indian Chapter was registered on 30th July 1996 as a scientific society. The founder members, the signatories of the articles for registration and subscribers in the memorandum of this body as a scientific society were

Prof. K. Chokkalingam

Prof. Martin. G. Issac

Dr Mallika Thituvadanam

Prof. N. Rangabashyam

Prof. V. G. Appukutty

Prof. K. Balakrishnan

Dr. Joy Thomas

Dr. Thambi Mathew 

Prof. K. Balasaraswathy (Bangalore) was elected as the first President of ITACCS Indian chapter with Dr. B. Badhakrishnan as Secretary. Prof. N. P. Singh and Prof. K. Balasarawathy, Dean and Professor of Anesthesiology, M. S. Ramaiah Medical College and hospital accepted responsibility to conduct conferences and a well-attended 1997 annual conference was the result. Prof. M. Hanumantha Rao of Sri. Ventateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupathi conducted the 1999 conference with experts coming in from France, USA and China. At the General body meeting, it was decided to involve the Armed Forces, who had the most experience with trauma and mass disasters, due to the recent Kargil war. The Armed Forces were entrusted with the conduct of the next conference in 2000 under the chairmanship of Brigadier (Dr) Y. V. Suri, who was elected the President of ITACCS Indian chapter. Dr. Michael Parr, the president of International Trauma Care (ITACCS) attended the 2000 conference at New Delhi. 

At this conference, two issues were decided. Firstly to start a scientific journal incorporating recent trends in trauma care applicable to India. Prof. A. K. Sethi was elected as Editor of the journal. The second decision was to prepare a trauma course to be administered by the society. Prof. Martin Issac and Prof. Devakumar undertook the responsibility to write a course material.

Col. Jatawat, Col. Saraswat, Prof. A.K.Sethi, Dr. Michael Parr, Brig (Dr) Y.V.Suri, Dr. Devakumar, Dr. Martin Issac at ITACCS Conference, New Delhi 2000. 

 

Brig (Dr) Y. V. Suri again undertook responsibility to conduct the 2001 conference. The conference was held in Jammu and was attended by a large number of Medical officers of the Indian Army involved in trauma care in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Prof. Martin Issac, Prof. Devakumar, Brig Suri conducted the first two-day Trauma course called the Comprehensive Trauma Life Support with help of other Indian experts. Dr Ganapathy was subsequently elected as the Editor of the journal and has maintained the high standards of the journal. At the executive body meeting, it was also decided to institute an award for the best paper on trauma by a young medical graduate. Dr Samir Suri sponsored the award in memory of his Grand father and to be known as Shri Bansi Lal Suri Award. The first awardee was Dr. O. I. Singh of Manipur at Cochin 2002 ITACCS (Indian Chapter) annual conference hosted by Dr. Joy Thomas, Dr Mohan Mathew and Dr K. Vinodan.

During this conference, it was decided to have a National Headquarters of the society at ‘Anaesthesia House’ in Cochin with an auditorium, library, and secretariat. ‘Prof. Martin Issac Oration’ was instated to improve the academic quality and to involve distinguished experts in the field. The first Oration was delivered by Prof. S. M. Basu, former President and Editor, Indian Journal of Anaesthesia.

Dr B. K. Rao, Vice-President of the Society, hosted the very successful 2003 National conference at Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The meeting was attended by 19 International experts with 1000 delegates. ITACCS Indian chapter continues to develop at a National level and advice on direction for trauma care in India. This is clearly a great legacy and reflects the vision of its founders.