The 11th Annual Conference of BACAMH
By Sifat E Syed, MBBS, FCPS (Psychiatry)
Assistant professor of Psychiatry, BSMMU, Academic Secretary, BACAMH
The Bangladesh Association for child and adolescent mental health (BACAMH) is the national organization for professionals working in the area of child and adolescent mental health in Bangladesh. Established in 2008, BACAMH has received organizational membership of Asian Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (ASCAPAP) and full membership of International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP).
With 856 members, BACAMH has become the largest mental health organization in Bangladesh incorporating members from all disciplines who work in the field of child mental health. BACAMH recently organized the 11th Annual Conference and General Meeting on 12-13 November, 2018.
The Conference was held in Shaheed Dr. Milon Hall at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. The theme of the conference was ‘Child and adolescent mental health and family’. Around 250 participants registered in the 2 day program, including psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, social welfare and child developmental workers.
The inauguration program was presided by president of BACAMH Prof. M A Salam and inaugurated by Prof. Kanak Kanti Barua, Vice Chancellor of BSMMU. Pro Vice chancellor – Prof. Shahidullah Sikder and eminent psychiatrists – Prof. Md. Golam Rabbani and Prof. Waziul Alam Chowdhury were special guests of the inaugural ceremony. Secretary General Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed started the ceremony with his welcome address followed by an inspirational speech by Prof. MSI Mullick, the founder of BACAMH and Prof. Jhunu Shamsun Nahar, immediate past president. President-Elect Prof Md. Faruq Alam closed the inauguration by his vote of thanks.
There were 15 scientific presentations including 4 plenary, 1 theme paper and 8 oral presentations. The Keynote presentation was delivered by Prof. Md. Faruq Alam with the title- ‘Child and adolescent mental health and family’. A special oration is named after Late Prof. Syed Kamaluddin Ahmed, an eminent and respected psychiatrist in Bangladesh and this year the memorial oration was delivered by Prof. MSI Mullick with the title ‘Trends in child and adolescent mental health’.
Two interactive workshops were conducted by international participants Dr. Murad Bakht (Canada) on ‘Disruptive behavior disorders in children’ and Dr. Aman Shaikh (UK) on Family Therapy.
On Day 1, two plenary lectures were delivered by Psychiatrists -Prof. A A Mamun Hussain (Title: Understanding adolescence – the period of storm and stress) and Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed (Title: Family: the focus for change). Pediatricians delivered two plenary – Dr. Humaira Rafiqa Quaderi (Title: Pattern of sleep problem in children with Autism and other mental health disorder), Dr. Razia Sultana (Title: Co-morbidities of Autism in Dhaka Children Hospital)
On the second day, the theme paper was presented by Brig Gen Prof. Azizul Islam. Also there was an exciting scientific debate on the topic ‘Family intervention is the main focus for managing child and adolescent psychiatric disorders’.
On the 2nd day, the Annual General Meeting was presided by Prof. M A Salam. There was lively discussion on different organizational activities. The meeting ended by declaration and installation of the new Executive Council members.
Apart from the scientific program, there was an excellent cultural night where the residents of psychiatry performed in singing, dancing and drama.
