AOI, WEST BENGAL STATE BRANCH..... ABOUT US

The Association of Otolaryngologists of India (AOI), West Bengal is an august body of ENT specialists of our state. It was established in 1951 by the then doyen of our speciality (namely Dr. Satyaban Roy) with an aim to encourage and advance the study and practice of art and science of ENT & Head and Neck diseases. Moreover it deals with increasing concern and consciousness of common people in ENT related health problem and its prevention and management.
The registered office of the Association is in Kolkata with its activities spreading all over the state.
Right now we have 300+ (three hundred plus) members in different categories - Ordinary, Life, Associate and Honorary Members. Membership is open to any allopathic medical graduate (MBBS) registered preferably with West Bengal State Medical Council or any other State Medical Council of India with postgraduate qualification in ENT and practicing in the field of ENT and Head & Neck diseases except Associate and Honorary members who may not need postgraduate qualification. At the time of enrolment as a member one shall have to sign a code of conduct, which is mainly directed to promote and protect the interest of the patients.
For the last one decade a great emphasis has been made on various aspects of otolaryngological diseases mainly prevention of cancer in head & neck region as well as prevention, early detection and management of deafness etc. As people are more concerned about improper development of speech and language in child it is essential to detect hearing loss as early as possible, preferably within 1st year of life since it allows prompt management if necessary with Hearing Aids.
Present statistics reveled that, second most common area for the development of cancer is oral cavity and throat and needs massive campaign against taking pan masala, chewing tobacco and smoking. Now-a-days people are more aware about their ailments and treatments available than before. Also high tech innovations like C.T / MRI and Endoscope have greatly altered the perception and practice of ENT diseases.
To keep pace with the modern advancement in this specialty and to meet increase awareness of the patient it is imperative that, one should keep himself / herself updated. Hence we organize clinical meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, Free ENT Medical checkup camps and awareness campaigns from time to time.
Besides academic activities our association has some social commitment too. Every year several free ENT check up camps are organized in the different parts of our state especially in remote rural areas jointly with the help of NGO's. Our esteemed members voluntarily participate in those camps for the cause of humanity.
We also organize "Microsurgery Camp" at rural hospitals as a part of public awareness programme. The purpose of this camp is to send message to the common people that discharging ear with deafness can easily be cured at a very nominal cost and can be done at doorstep hospitals.
One of our most important academic activity is to conduct workshop / courses as a part of Continuing Medical Education programme where government, private and self employed ENT surgeons, not only from our state but also from adjoining states participate.
We also publish journal, newsletter biannually containing the latest developments and updated information and research paper in this specialty.
Above all the main objectives of the association is to promote and encourage scientific research on this specialty, to arrange proper training of the juniors to make uniform ENT healthcare delivery system of global standard and to ensure adequate infrastructure in all the districts and subdivisions and mass education.