Message: PAN President & Gen. Secretary

With great pleasure we invite you to the 8^th National conference of Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal (PANCON)l to be hosted by Eastern Chapter of PAN at industrial city of Biratnagar, Neal from the 28^th to 30^th of October. PANCON is an annual flagship event of Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal. It is a conference that is expanding every year where we aim to gather national and international delegates to share and increase our knowledge.

The theme chosen for PANCON 2021 is “Multi-sectoral Collaboration in Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities”. A wholesome and co-ordinated response to mental health promotion, protection and care requires strong and enduring partnerships across multiple public and private sectors including health care, education, employment, judiciary, housing, social welfare and other relevant sectors. This has become evident with the rise in suicide rates during this pandemic that we are currently living in and more so during the states-imposed lockdown. We need to move towards interventions and approaches that recognise and support individuals as they move on a spectrum throughout their lives from freedom of mental distress, through non-specific symptoms causing intermittent mental disorders to clear syndromes causing increasingly severe functional impairment.

Biratnagar, the industrial city of Nepal, was part of the kingdom of Virata mentioned in the Mahabharata epic. It is famous for industry, commerce, and agriculture in Nepal as most of the manufacturing industries are located in this region. It is currently the second most densely populated city (after Kathmandu). Biratnagar has been the most politically powerful city of Nepal, gifting a subtotal of five prime ministers along with hosting some of the most revolutionary incidents in Nepal. The Organizing Committee, under the experienced guidance of Dr. Nabaraj Koirala and dynamic abilities of Dr. Nikeshmani Rajbhandari, have assured us to host a grand event.

Dr. Rajan Sharma

General Secretary

Dr. Sudharshan Narsingh Pradhan

President 

Message: Organising Chairman & Secretary

Dear Esteemed Delegates and Friends

Warmest Greetings from PANCON 2021

We are extremely grateful to be able to invite you to the 8^th National Conference of Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal, 2021 (PANCON 2021) to be held at Biratnagar from 28^th to 30^th October. This is the first time our city will be hosting this prestigious scientific program.

Biratnagar is one of the largest cities of Nepal also known has the industrial city of Nepal. Located at the borders of India, it is also close to the famous Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, which is famous the world over for bird-watching, about 441 different species can be seen here. Besides this tourist places like Bhedetar and the tea estate of Ilam are only a few hours’ drive from Biratnagar. Bhedetar and Dhankuta boost a number of breath taking adventure sports such as para-gliding, zipline, and river rafting for the thrill-seekers. Those who like some peace and calm can travel to the hill town of Shree Antu, Ilam, and stay for the night to welcome the sunrise. Biratnagar is also not very far from the Indian district of Darjeeling and State of Sikkim which is famous for tourism.

The Venue for the conference is Birat Medical College & Teaching Hospital, located in Tankisinwari VDC just outside Biratnagar. The theme of the conference is “Multi-sectoral Collaboration in Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities” is context suitable during this pandemic, as all sectors have an equal role to play in the improving of the lives of people with mental illness. We assure you all that PANCON 2021 will give us a compelling contribution to our knowledge base.

We extend a hearty welcome to you and your family to enjoy the hospitality and beauty of east Nepal, while participating in this academic extravaganza.

With warmest regards

Dr. Nikeshmani Rajbhandari

Organizing Secretary

Dr. Nabaraj Koirala

Organising Chairman