Department of Microbiology at PGICH Noida organizes Second Chapter Meet 2025 of IAMM Delhi Chapter on the topic Recent Advances in Viral Diagnostics: Challenges and Opportunities

Department of Microbiology at PGICH Noida organizes Second Chapter Meet 2025 of IAMM Delhi Chapter on the topic Recent Advances in Viral Diagnostics: Challenges and Opportunities

The Second Chapter Meet 2025 of Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists - Delhi Chapter (IAMM-DC) on the topic "Recent Advances in Viral Diagnostics: Challenges and Opportunities" was organized by the Department of Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Child Health (PGICH), Noida on 30th August 2025.

The meet included poster competitions, a quiz competition for MD and PhD students, and a scientific session comprising talks and a panel discussion. The inauguration ceremony commenced with a welcome address by Dr Manoj Jais, President of IAMM DC. Dr Vikas Manchanda, Treasurer of IAMM-DC, Prof. (Dr.) Arun Kumar Singh, Director, PGICH Noida, and the Chief Guest, Dr Reshu Agarwal of WHO India Office, also highlighted the relevance of timely and accurate diagnosis of viral infinfection

Several eminent microbiologists shared their knowledge as faculty for the conference. Dr Mala Chhabra of RML Hospital presented a talk on 'The Changing Face of Viral Outbreaks: Lessons Learnt and Emerging Threats', chaired by Dr Geeta Mehta, formerly of LHMC, and Dr Anita Chakravarti, formerly of MAMC, in which the emerging viral infections like Nipah virus, monkeypox, Covid-19 and Zika virus were highlighted. Dr Ekta Gupta of ILBS gave a talk on 'Evolving Diagnostics for Pediatric Viral Hepatitis Infections: What's New?', chaired by Dr Reshu Agarwal and Dr Shobha Broor, formerly of AIIMS Delhi, emphasising the special challenges of diagnosing viral hepatitis in children. In the panel discussion on the topic 'The Promises and Pitfalls of Molecular Viral Diagnostics: Just Because We Can, Should We?', the necessity for judicious use of newer viral diagnostic tests was examined by a panel of experts including Dr. B.L Sherwal of LHMC, Dr. Lalit Dar of AIIMS Delhi, and Dr. D.K. Singh and Dr. Sumi Nandwani of PGICH Noida, moderated by Dr Ashok Rattan of CAHO.

The quiz competition for MD Microbiology students was conducted by Dr. Sanjib Gogoi of LHMC and Dr Prabhav Aggarwal of MAMC, which had enthusiastic participation from more than 50 participants, and was won by Dr. Neha Nityadarshini and Dr Rajnish Kumar. Dr Rajat Edoliya, Dr Samrin Ejaz Hussain Syed, and Dr Smrithi Maniraj were adjudged the winners of the poster competitions among more than 30 participants, which were judged by Dr Suryasnata Das (MSSH Noida), Dr Swastika Aggarwal (SAIH, Rohini), Dr Rama Chaudhry (ICMR), Dr Neelam Khanna (Batra Hospital Delhi) and Dr. Fatima Khan (JNMC AMU).

The CME was well-attended with more than 300 delegates from various states including Delhi, U.P., Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, and faculty of PGICH Noida including Director, Dean and Medical Superintendent Dr. Aakash Raj.

This IAMM-DC Chapter Meet was organised by the Department of Microbiology including HOD Prof. (Dr.) Sumi Nandwani (Organizing Chairperson), Asst. Prof. (Dr.) Janya Sachdev (Organizing Secretary), Asst. Prof. (Dr.) Anushka Soni (Joint Organizing Secretary) Assoc. Prof. (Dr.) Kavita Gupta, Assoc. Prof. (Dr.) Saroj Dash, residents, research officers and staff of Department of Microbiology, PGICH Noida.