Pahlé India Foundation successfully concluded the first International Convening of its kind, titled “Lead Poisoning in India: Status, Challenges, and Way Forward” in New Delhi. Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former WHO Chief Scientist and Chairperson, MSSRF along with Ms Sweety L Changsan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare inaugurated the conference. PIF also released five research reports undertaken in collaboration with its partners, addressing various aspects of the issue:
- PIF-WHO joint study on Global Best Practices to Eliminate Lead Poisoning: Lessons for India
- PIF report on Indian & Global Legal Frameworks on Lead Poisoning
- Study on Understanding the Informal Used Lead Acid Battery or ULAB Recycling Ecosystem
- PIF’s Knowledge Partner for the Convening, Vital Strategies’ report on Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance in Bihar.
- PIF-IPE Global report Assessing the Knowledge and Practices Regarding Lead Toxicity Among Healthcare Professionals in Jharkhand.
The hybrid event brought together 60+ experts, policymakers, scientists, doctors and representatives from multilateral institutions from the US, Bangladesh and across India to address the pressing but oft-ignored issue of lead poisoning.
Panelists discussed the prevalence, sources, challenges of testing and the latest in research and innovations to tackle the public health crisis. The gathering of stakeholders was called to deliberate on the path forward and discuss the need for collaborative effort. Supported by Open Philanthropy and Vital Strategies as knowledge partners, the convening featured insightful panel discussions, scientific presentations, and networking opportunities. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Philip J Landrigan, one of the world’s most eminent lead experts from Boston College. Notable panellists included Dr. Howard Hu, Professor at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Dr M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS New Delhi, Dr Santasabuj Das, Director, ICMR-NIOH and others. The panels were chaired by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Chairman of Pahle India Foundation (Former Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog) and Dr. Indu Bhushan, Chair of the India Working Group on Lead Poisoning (Distinguished Fellow, Pahle India Foundation).
