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Messages

Greetings. The first issue of SAFOG Journal is in your hands and its auspicious launch is a matter of

celebration.

A short history of SAFOG is in order. The idea of an association of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Societies of SAARC countries was conceived in 1995 in Colombo during the annual meeting of Sri

Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who offered to host the headquarter of this emerging

association. Same year in October at the time of SAFOG Congress in Bali, Professor Rashid Latif Khan

volunteered to organize the first Obstetrics and Gynecology Conference of SAARC countries in

Lahore, Pakistan in November 1996. And there, SAFOG was born with its constitution approved by

the representatives of the constituent societies.

It is a tribute to the professionals of the specialty of these countries that the idea has not only sustained but blossomed into

a vibrant organization, which has regularly brought together the obstetricians and gynecologists of the region.

The South Asian countries have so much in common yet their approach to various problems is so diverse. Primary health care

in Sri Lanka, public private partnership in some regions of India, the community midwives programs in Bangladesh and Pakistan

and the resolve to tackle maternal and newborn issues in Nepal are promising examples of how we can learn from one another.

For SAFOG Journal we owe a lot to Dr. Narendara Malhotra and his associates. He took the responsibility of publishing this

journal, not a small task by any means, and the result is with you. It is now obligatory on all the regional professionals to help keep

it a regular feature.

Wishing you all health and peace, and success in your efforts to make a healthier tomorrow for the women and children of

South Asia.

Prof Farrukh Zaman

President of SAFOG

Professional Societies/Federations belong to obstetrics and gynecology are playing vital role in this region on maternal, neonatal

and child health. These Societies/Federations have enormous potentials to bring changes in policy, strategy and program taken

at national level by respective governments. Some of the Societies/Federations were contributing meaningfully towards better

health of women, mothers and children in this region.

Through the credibility of the Societies /Federations, an atmosphere has been created for working in partnership with the

government. This is also true for working with UN Agencies and Development partners where partnership is improving day-by-

day. We should not miss all the opportunities created for working with Government. UN Agencies and Development partners.

Considering the high Maternal and Neonatal Mortalities and Morbidities, members of SAFOG have more responsibilities and

obligations for the people of the region. This is a challenge for us to improve maternal, neonatal and child health and we hope that

we are capable of fulfilling the obligations.

I wish the coming days shall bring more opportunity for working on maternal, neonatal and child health within the platform of

SAFOG and SAFOG shall be stronger to fulfill our goal of achieving MDG.

We shall continue to nourish the strength of SAFOG and bring changes towards reduction of maternal and neonatal mortalities

and morbidities.

Prof AB Bhuiyan

President Elect–SAFOG

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I am extremely happy and pleased to present this first issue of the SAFOG Journal to all of you. I feel

honored by the trust of the managing council of SAFOG to appoint me as the chief editor of our

Journal. We have carefully chosen the editorial board to have a unique representation.

The scientific contents, of inaugural issue, are mixed bag of an editorial on save the girl child (our

social obligation) review articles, original work done by members, case reports, operative skill guidance,

evidence-based practice guidelines, nursing inputs, book review, and trivia needed by members. We

will be including a DVD on a topic in each issue. In this issue comes to you a DVD ROM on PPH: The

Red Alert Workshop Proceedings. Editorial board is sure and hopeful that this journal will find a place

of pride within the region and will grow by leaps and bound, with progressive patronage of members.

In our endeavor to bring out this journal at regular and continuous periods, we need inputs like,

articles, case reports, research papers, useful original studies, letters to the editor and feedback.

Our association is a young association with financial constraints, so we need your patronage and encouragement as well.

Please subscribe to this Journal and ask your colleagues and the College Libraries to subscribe.

Do contribute and make your Journal a success!.

I sincerely hope that you all enjoy reading this inaugural issue of our SAFOG Journal.

Best Regards!!

Dr Narendra Malhotra

Editor-in-Chief

(1st March, 2009)

Malhotra Nursing and Maternity Home (P) Ltd

84, MG Road, Agra – 282010

Ph: 0562-2260275, 2260276, 2260277

Fax: 91-562-2262143

e-mail: mnmhagra1@gmail.com

Editorial

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CONTEMPORARY REVIEW ARTICLES

Use of Metformin in Clomiphene Citrate (CC) Resistant Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) ...................................... 1-9

Mosammat Rashida Begum, Laila Arjumand Banu, Ratu Rumana Binte Rahman, Farhana Dewan, Salma Rouf

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Women ..................................................................................................... 10-13

Randhir Puri, Jaideep Malhotra

ORIGINAL STUDIES

Evaluation of Clinicosocial Factors Associated with Antepartum and Intrapartum Stillbirths at

Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital ............................................................................................................ 14-18

Rayamajhi RT, Shreshtha N, Karki C, Padhye SM

Letrozole versus Clomiphene Citrate in Patients with Anovulatory Infertility ............................................................ 19-23

Mandakini Parihar, Dhiraj Gada, PG Paul, Shravanti Bhowmik

Low Birth Weight and First Week Neonatal Mortality in a Tertiary Level Hospital in Bangladesh .......................... 24-28

Sabera Khatun, Fawzia Hossain, Jannatul Ferdous, Afroza Chowdhury

Standardized Visual Estimation of Blood Loss during Vaginal Delivery with

its Correlation Hematocrit Changes—A Descriptive Study ......................................................................................... 29-34

Bellad MB, Laxmi BV, Goudar SS, Ashwath Kumar

Ectopic Pregnancy and its Effect on Future Fertility ..................................................................................................... 35-39

Chanda Karki, Anjana Karki, Kundu Yangzom

CASE REPORTS

Cervical Ectopic Pregnancy ........................................................................................................................................... 40-41

Nandita Palshetkar, Hrishikesh Pai, Bharti Bansal

Rectovaginal Fistula ....................................................................................................................................................... 42-43

Kanthi Bansal, Sanjeev Haribhakti, Paresh Mehta

Successful Digoxin Therapy of Fetal Supraventricular Tachycardia ........................................................................... 44-46

Yoginder Singh, Bandana Sodhi, SPS Kochar, D Arora

OPERATIVE SKILLS

Non-descended Vaginal Hysterectomy—Is a Reasonable Alternative to LAVH? ......................................................... 47-52

Nurun Nahar Khanam, Bidisha Chakma, Saleha Begum Chowdhury, Khairun Nahar, Nusrat Rahman, Rhea Homaira

PRACTICE GUIDANCE

Making Abortion Safer in Nepal: Contribution of Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (NESOG)

in the Success Story ...................................................................................................................................................... 53-55

Pushapa Chaudhary

Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology

January-April 2009 Volume 1 Number 1

Contents

vii

Contents

Antenatal Care Counseling Pamphlet and Emergency Obstetric Care ........................................................................ 56-60

Ferdousi Begum, AB Bhuiyan

Programmed Labor—Indegenous Protocol to Optimize Labor Outcome ..................................................................... 61-64

Shirish N Daftary, Shyam V Desai, Uday Thanawala, Amarnath Bhide, Jesse Levi, Ameet Patki, Narendra Malhotra

NURSING PRACTICE

Stress, Coping Strategies, Quality of Life and Lived Experiences of Women with

Pregnancy-induced Hypertension .................................................................................................................................. 65-68

Raddi Sudha A, Nayak Baby S, Prakash Ratna, Randhir Puri

Book Reviews: Dr MC Metgud

DVD ROM: FOGSI’S RED ALERT WORKSHOP ON PPH

viii

NAMES OF THE SAFOG COUNCIL MEMBERS APPOINTED FOR THE TERM 2007-2009

President : Dr Farrukh Zaman Pakistan 00-92-300-8441601 M 00-92-42-5835474 fzaman70@gmail.com

Past Presidents Dr Sudha Sharma Nepal 00-977-1-441770200-977-1-9851059403 sudha@healthnet.org.np

Dr Rashid Latif Khan Pakistan rashid1938@hotmail.com

Dr TA Chowdhury 88-01199856558 tac@bdonline.com

Dr Lakshman Fernando Srilanka

President Elect: Prof. AB Bhuiyan Bangladesh 880-2-8618879, Mob:01711-531939 ogsb@agni.com

Vice Presidents: Dr Alokendu Chatterjee India alokenduchatterjee@gmail.com

Dr Harshalal Seniviratne Sri Lanka 94-11-2501207(R) 94-07127501195(M) Prof_sene@yahoo.co.uk

Secretary General: Dr Shyam Desai India 91-022-26491329(C) 91-09820034878(M) shyamdesai47@yahoo.com

Deputy Secretary : Dr Rubina Sohail Pakistan 923008452105 rubina95@gmail.com

Treasurer: Dr Rohana Hathotuwa Sri Lanka

Secretary Education: Dr Chanda Karki Nepal 977-1-55355389851026793 cthouse@wlink.com.np

Secretary Research: Prof. Laila Arjumand Banu Bangladesh Mob:01711-522465 Laila04@dhaka.netogsb@agni.com

(proposed)

Editor: Dr Narendra Malhotra India 91-9837033335 mnmhagra1@gmail.com

REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES

Bangladesh

Dr Ferdousi Begum e-mail: fbegum@aitlbd.net; ogsb@agni.com, Ph: 8801819223221

Dr Kohinoor Begum e-mail: ogsb@agni.com, Ph: 88-02-8159587; Sultana Jahan e-mail: ogsb@agni.com

Dr Sameena Chowdhary e-mail: sameena4151@yahoo.com Ph: 88-02-9338338Mob:01715055175

Bhutan

Dr Dupto Yon Ten

India

Dr Pankaj Desai e-mail:; Dr CN Purandare e-mail: dr.c.n.purandare@g.com

Dr Jayant Rath, e-mail: rathjayant@hotmail.com Ph: 91 9437014395; Dr Narendra Malhotra e-mail: mnmhagra1@gmail.com

Maldives

Dr. Naila Firdous; Dr Jabeen Ali Shareef e-mail: jabeenaas@hotmail.com; Dr Jumailath Beygum

Dr Mohamed Aseel Jalil e-mail: boi_jr@hotmail.com

Nepal

Dr Pramila Pradhan e-mail: drpramilapradhan@yahoo.com, Ph: 977-1-42535739841490496(M); Dr. Asma Rana

Dr Veena Rani Srivastava e-mail: mpshrivastava@healthnet.org.np; Dr Pushpa Chowdhary

Pakistan

Dr Shershah Syed e-mail: shershahsyed@hotmail.com, Ph: 92 03332156735; Dr Nargis Soomro e-mail: soomra@gmail.com, Ph: 92 3212589799

Dr Sohail Lodhi e-mail: sohailklodhi@gmail.com, Ph: 92 3008457920

Dr Ghazala Mahmud, e-mail: helloghazala@hotmail.com, Ph: 91 523009554965

Sri Lanka

Dr Laxman Senanayake; Dr Ananda Ranatunge randa@sltnet.lk; Dr Malik Goonewardene e-mail: malikg@eureka.lk Ph: 94 777921051

Dr. Sarath Wijemanne

e-mail ADDRESSES

Pr of Farrukh Zaman e-mail: fzaman90@gmail.com; Prof Alokendu Chatterjee e-mail: akokenduchatterjee@gmail.com; Prof HR Seneviratnee-mail: prof_sene@yahoo.co.uk; Prof Shyam Desai e-mail: shyamdesai47@yahoo.com; Dr Rohana Hatothuwa; Malik Goonawardene e-mail:malikg@eureka.lk; Sudha Sharma e-mail:sudha@healthnet.org.np; Rubina Sohail e-mail: rubina95@gmail.com; Prof AB Bhuiyan e-mail:ogsb@agni.com; Prof TA Chowdhury e-mail:tac@bdonline.com; Prof Pramila Pradhan e-mail: drpramilapradhan@yahoo.com; Dr ChandaKarki e-mail:cthouse@wlink.com.np; Dr Narendra Malhotra e-mail: mnmhagra1@gmail.com; Dr Sohail Lodhi e-mail: sohailklodhi@gmail.com;Dr Ferdousi Begum e-mail: fbegum@aitlbd.net; Dr GA Ranatunga e-mail: randa@sltnet.lk; Dr Jayant Rath e-mail:jayantrath@hotmail.com; DrShershah Syed e-mail: shershahsyed@hotmail.com; Prof Nargis Soomro e-mail: soomra@gmail.com; Prof Ghazala Ch e-mail:helloghazale@hotmail.com

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Introduction to SAFOG

The South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SAFOG) was formed in the year 1995 with the countries India,

Pakistan and Sri Lanka getting together and having a preliminary meeting on the 7th September 1995 at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The federation was officially formed on 29th November 1996. The aim of the federation was to bring together the obstetricians

and gynecologists in the South Asian region, i.e. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives for closer

cooperation and social understanding, to develop the concept of reproductive health and also to promote exchange of ideas and

sharing of knowledge of skills and attitudes. It was also proposed to bring about uniformity in medical postgraduate training in

this region. It was decided to cooperate with other international and regional organizations concerned with reproductive health.

The representatives from the India who are involved at this stage were Dr Shirish Sheth, Dr DK Tank and Dr Kamal Bakshi

along with Dr RP Sonawalla, Dr NN Roychowdhury and Dr Alokendu Chatterjee. Professor Rashid Latif Khan of Pakistan was

elected the first President of the SAFOG.

The conference of the SAFOG is held every 4 years; the first conference was held in Lahore in 1996 and the second conference

in Sri Lanka in 1998. FOGSI and Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society organized the third conference in 2002, Dr DK Tank

was elected as the President, Dr Duru Shah was Organizing Chairperson, Dr Shyam Desai and Dr PK Shah were Organizing

Secretaries.

Dr Alokendu Chatterjee has been the Secretary of Research and Secretary of Education in the past. He is at present the Vice

President of SAFOG, Dr Shyam Desai was the Deputy Secretary General since the year 2002 and at present he is the Secretary

General of the SAFOG. FOGSI representatives to the SAFOG council are at present Dr Pankaj Desai, Past President of FOGSI,

Dr CN Purandare Secretary General FOGSI, Dr Jayant Rath Chairperson of International Academic Exchange Committee, Dr

Narendra Malhotra, currently the President of FOGSI is now the Editor of the Journal and In-charge of the website of the

organization.

The FOGSI by virtue of being the body with a large membership is active in the SAFOG with resources as far as infrastructure

and Faculty are concerned. In the recent past-training programs involving members from neighboring countries have been held

in subspecialities such as USG, Endoscopic Surgery and Infertility.

Dr Usha Saraiya and Dr Maya Lulla conducted a Colposcopy Workshop in Kathmandu and Dr Kurien Joseph, Dr Rekha

Kurien and Dr Shyam Desai conducted Endoscopic Surgery Workshops in Colombo, Dhaka, Lahore and Kathmandu.

In December 2007, FOGSI SAFOG and RCOG organized the conference in Kolkata which was Chaired by Dr Alokendu

Chatterjee and Professor Farrukh Zaman, Pakistan. The Organizing Secretaries were Dr P Das Mahapatra and Dr Shyam Desai. It

was a very successful meeting and was attended by large numbers of international experts. At the end of conference, a publication

entitled “Maternal Health in South Asia” was published based on the statistics of health indices presented in the conference.

It has been decided to hold a South Asia day with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in London in July,

2009. This will give a platform for members of various countries in the organization to present their country statistics and also for

the organization to get more recognition among the international bodies. It is also proposed to have a representative of SAFOG

at the FIGO Executive Board meeting so that a direct link between the two organizations can be established.

At present, under the Presidentship of Prof Farrukh Zaman, several opportunities are created for interaction between Obstetrics

and Gynaecology Specialists of the various countries and invitations to local conferences of member bodies are extended to the

other nations. The South Asian Federation also has a session at the national conference of the member bodies where the topical

regional issues are discussed.

The comradarie that exists among the delegates at the South Asian Federation meetings is encouraging and augurs well for

the continuation of efforts towards meeting goals as far as maternal health and child health are concerned.

Shyam Desai

Hon Sec Gen SAFOG

x

The Executive Council of the South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SAFOG) having gathered on the 10th day

of March 2007 in Lahore, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in keeping with the principles and goals of the SAFOG and to further

strengthen the same, acting under Clause 9 of the SAFOG Charter, unanimously decided to repeal and replace the SAFOG Charter

signed by the representatives of the SAFOG country organizations in Lahore, Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the 29th day of

November 1996.

The new constitution reads as follows:

The Obstetricians and Gynecologists of South Asia having gathered in Lahore, Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the 29th day of

November 1996, constituted and formed themselves into a federation known as the South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and

Gynecology (SAFOG).

Acknowledging that the people in the South Asian Region have the right to life and reproductive health and to enjoy good health

with dignity.

Recognizing the need to establish regional cooperation among obstetricians and gynecologists of South Asia in order to

improve the quality of life of people in the region.

Convinced that obstetricians and gynecologists have a role to play in developing and building national and collective self reliance

of health resources in the South Asian Region and Dedicated to uphold the objectives of the South Asian Federation of

Obstetrics and Gynecology (SAFOG ).

For purposes of this constitution, South Asia shall include the seven (7) countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives,

Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Article 1: Objectives

The objectives of SAFOG shall be:

1.1 To bring together the obstetricians and gynecologists within the region for closer cooperation and social understanding.

1.2 To use and improve reproductive health as an instrument towards achieving social and health development.

1.3 To promote the exchange of ideas and sharing of knowledge, skills and attitudes among obstetricians and gynecologists in

the region.

1.4 To promote and encourage advancement of science and practice of obstetrics and gynecology in the region.

1.5 To strengthen and facilitate postgraduate training of medical graduates in reproductive health.

1.6 To facilitate continuing professional development of obstetricians and gynecologists in the region.

1.7 To encourage and maintain research on reproductive health in the region relevant to the good health of people in the region.

1.8 To cooperate with other international and regional organizations concerned with improving reproductive health.

1.9 To strive to reach the goal of providing satisfactory reproductive health care for all persons in the region and in particular

provision of safe motherhood.

1.10 To enhance involvement of obstetricians and gynecologists in the process of decision making in the health policies of the

region.

Article 2: Affiliated Country Organizations

2.1 There shall be established in each South Asian Country a SAFOG Country Organization, the membership of which shall be

open to all obstetricians and gynecologists of that country.

2.2 In countries which have only one National Society/College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, such Society/College shall be

the SAFOG Country Organization.

2.3 In countries where there are multiple societies of obstetricians and gynecologists, an Apex Body of all such societies shall

be the SAFOG Country Organization for that country.

Constitution of the SAFOG

xi

2.4 A SAFOG Country Organization shall on application made to the Executive Council of SAFOG, be affiliated to SAFOG

provided it has formulated a constitution, the objectives of which are in conformity with the objectives of SAFOG.

2.5 A National Society/College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists from a country outside South Asia shall on an application

made to the Executive Council of SAFOG, be eligible to be affiliated to SAFOG as an Associate Member, and enjoy all the

privileges and benefits of membership of SAFOG other than voting rights, provided it has formulated a constitution, the

objectives of which are in conformity with the objectives of SAFOG.

2.6 No country shall be represented by more than one National Society/College at SAFOG.

2.7 No country shall be denied membership on philosophical, religious or political grounds.

Article 3: Headquarters

The Headquarters shall be in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Article 4: Executive Council

4.1 There shall be an Executive Council of SAFOG ( hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) which shall consist of not less than

eighteen (18) and not more than forty (40) representatives, excluding past presidents. The Council should consist as far as

possible of representatives from each of the Member South Asian Countries and the number of representatives from each

country shall be not more than five (5).

4.2 The Executive Council shall consist of:

4.2.1 Office Bearers

4.2.1.1 President

4.2.1.2 Immediate Past President

4.2.1.3 President Elect

4.2.1.4 Two Vice Presidents

4.2.1.5 Secretary General

4.2.1.6 Deputy Secretary General

4.2.1.7 Treasurer

4.2.1.8 Chairperson Education Committee

4.2.1.9 Chairperson Research Committee

4.2.1.10 Editor

4.2.1.11 Assistant Secretary General

4.2.2. Country Representatives who shall be referred to as Council Members

4.2.3. Past Presidents

4.3 The President Elect shall be the President of the next Council. The Presidency shall be rotated amongst the member

countries.

4.4 Each member of the Council shall hold office for a period of two years and shall be eligible for re-election in the same

capacity for a maximum of three (3) terms except the President and President Elect. Re-election of a member to the same office

for more than three (3) terms could be done only under exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Council.

4.5 In the event of any member of the Council vacating his office or expiring prior to the end of his term of office, the Council

shall fill such a vacancy in consultation with the relevant SAFOG Country Organization.

4.6 The Council shall elect the Office Bearers from among its members.

4.7 At no time shall a Member Country have more than three (3) representatives as Office Bearers.

4.7.1 The Secretary General of SAFOG shall write to all the SAFOG Country Organizations requesting nominations for

Country Representatives (Council Members ) three (3) months prior to the Council Meeting scheduled with a

Congress.

4.7.2 Each SAFOG Country Organization should submit nominations no later than three (3) weeks prior to the Council

Meeting scheduled with a Congress. Each Country Organization shall be entitled to nominate not more than five (5)

Country Representatives (Council Members ) for the Council.

4.7.3 At least two (2) of those nominated should have served at least one (1) term previously in the Council. At least one

(1) of those nominated should have not been a Council Member earlier.

4.7.4 The names of the Country Representatives nominated by the respective SAFOG Country Organizations shall be

tabled at the last Council Meeting chaired by the outgoing President.

Constitution of the SAFOG

xii

4.8 In the event of the required minimum number of persons not being nominated to the Council, the nominated persons, in

consultation with the outgoing members of the previous Council, shall appoint such additional number of members as may

be necessary to constitute the Council so that the Council shall at all times have a minimum of eighteen (18) members.

4.9 To be an Office Bearer, a person should have served at least one (1) term previously as a Council Member.

4.10 The names of Office Bearers shall be proposed and seconded at the first Council Meeting chaired by the new President, and

they shall be thus elected. The council shall have the right to propose the name of a person who is not a country

representative, to be an office bearer, provided such person has given his written consent to be an Office Bearer. In the

event of more than one name being proposed for any post of an Office Bearer, a secret ballot shall be conducted by the new

President at the Council Meeting attended by the new Council Members eligible to vote. In the event of a tie in the votes

cast, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

4.11 The President, President Elect and each of the two Vice Presidents shall be from different countries.

4.12 The Treasurer shall be elected from the country where the SAFOG bank accounts are maintained. The Secretary General and

the Deputy Secretary General shall be elected from different countries.

4.13 The Assistant Secretary General shall be from the country of the President.

Article 5: Powers of the Council

The Council shall have the powers:

5.1 To determine such matters as are required for the provisions hereof and to do all such other things as are necessary to

further the objectives of SAFOG and to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the administrative machinery of

SAFOG.

5.2 To entertain, process and accept or reject an application for membership.

5.3 To decide on the venue and content of all meetings of an academic and administrative nature affiliated to SAFOG, in

consultation with the country organization.

5.4 To accept grants and donations and pay and disburse such funds in pursuance of the objectives of the SAFOG.

5.5 To accept gifts, subscriptions, movable or immovable property subject to or without any conditions, restrictions or trust for

the purpose of the SAFOG.

5.6 To invest and deal with any money of the SAFOG not immediately required for the purposes of the SAFOG upon such

securities and in such manner as they may deem fit.

5.7 To appoint Committees and Subcommittees as and when necessary. A SAFOG Country Organization may nominate one (1)

of its members together with a detailed curriculum vitae to be the chairperson of any Committee or Subcommittee. The

Chairperson for the Committee or Subcommittee shall be selected by the Council from these names submitted. The Chairperson

of such a committee shall be co-opted as a nonvoting member of the council for the tenure of the appointment.

5.8 To delegate subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, any of its powers to specific Committees and Subcommittees.

9.9 To coordinate SAFOG activities in the region through the respective Council Members and Office Bearers.

Article 6: Duties of Office Bearers

6.1 The President of SAFOG shall chair all Meetings of the Council.

6.2 In the absence of the President, one of the Vice Presidents and in the absence of all of them, the President Elect shall

preside.

6.3 The President or Chairperson of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

6.4 The President and the Secretary General shall be ex-officio members of all Special Committees of the SAFOG.

6.5 One of the Vice Presidents shall represent the President at scientific meetings or workshops if the President is unable to

attend.

6.6 The Vice Presidents shall be advisors to Committees of SAFOG.

6.7 The Secretary General shall be responsible for the records of the SAFOG and for the day-to-day affairs in consultation with

the President.

6.8 The records of the SAFOG shall be housed in the Secretariat. The Secretariat shall be in the country of the Secretary

General.

6.9 The Secretary General in consultation with the President shall be responsible for drawing up the Agenda of all Council

Meetings and for recording the minutes.

Constitution of the SAFOG

xiii

6.10 The Secretary General and the Chairperson of the meeting shall sign the Minutes of the meetings after confirmation.

6.11 The Deputy Secretary General shall keep a close contact with the President and the Secretary General. In the absence of the

Secretary General at the Council Meetings, he/ she shall undertake the functions of the Secretary General.

6.12 The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial matters of the SAFOG.

6.13 The Treasurer shall circulate an audited and certified statement of all accounts of the SAFOG to the SAFOG Country

Organizations annually and at least one (1) month prior to the next Council Meeting.

6.14 The Treasurer shall be the signatory of cheques together with any one (1) of the following Office Bearers as decided by the

Council : President, Vice President, Secretary General or President Elect.

6.15 The Editor shall be responsible for all matters relating to the editing and publication of the Journal.

6.16 The Editor shall be empowered to obtain funds for this purpose, with the approval of the council.

6.17 The Editor shall submit an audited Financial Report to the Council annually.

6.18 The Editor shall be empowered to co-opt members of the SAFOG to assist him/her with his/her duties.

Article 7: Subscriptions

7.1 Every Member Organization of SAFOG shall pay an annual subscription of such an amount and in such manner as may be

determined by the Executive Council of SAFOG.

7.2 The financial year shall be from 1st January to 31st December of each year.

7.3 Any member organization in arrears for a period of three years shall be liable to lose the privileges of membership of the

SAFOG.

Article 8: Meetings

8.1 The Council shall meet as often as is considered necessary but at least once every year.

8.2 The agenda for the Council Meeting will be drawn up by the Secretary General in consultation with the President. At the

request of members individual items may be included in the agenda.

8.3 The agenda with the reports of the President, Secretary General, Treasurer, Editor and the Chairpersons of the Committees

will be circulated to the members of the Council at least one month prior to the Council Meeting.

8.4 The quorum of any Council Meeting shall be 30% of the Council and a minimum of three (3) countries should be represented.

8.5 The procedures to be followed at the meetings of the Council and any other meeting shall be in accordance with such rules

as are formulated by the Council.

Article 9: Congress

9.1 The venue of the congress shall be decided at least two years prior to the congress. The venue of the congress shall rotate

among the member countries. The venue will be decided by the Council by a simple majority.

9.2 The SAFOG Country Organization hosting the congress shall be entrusted with the entire organization of the congress in

consultation with the SAFOG Council.

9.3 The main Scientific Meeting and Pre- and Post-Congress Meetings will be planned by the Scientific Program Committee

appointed by the Council in consultation with the Scientific Program Committee of the host SAFOG Country Organization.

9.4 The Scientific Program Committee of the SAFOG shall be appointed by the Council and will comprise the following.

a. Chairperson

b. Representative of the Local Organizing Committee

c. Editor

d. Co-opted members in consultation with the President

9.5 The format of the Scientific Program should be submitted to the Council at least one year before the Congress.

9.6 The SAFOG Country Organization hosting the Congress shall pay the SAFOG 25% of the Registration Fee collected from

the participants and 10% of the money collected from the Exhibitors, within twelve (12) months of having the Congress.

9.7 Audited accounts of the Congress should be submitted to the Council within twelve (12) months of holding the Congress.

Article 10: Auditor

An Auditor shall be appointed by the Council in consultation with the Treasurer.

Constitution of the SAFOG

xiv

Article 11: Board of Trustees

11.1 The SAFOG Council shall nominate one (1) member from each SAFOG Country Organization to serve on the Board of

Trustees. Members nominated thus, should have served in the SAFOG Council for at least two (2) terms.

11.2 There shall be not more than seven (7) and not less than three (3) Trustees.

11.3 Every member of the Board of Trustees shall hold office for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible for renomination

for another term.

11.4 The President and the Secretary General will coordinate between the Council and the Board of Trustees.

Article 12: Property and Assets

12.1 The property and assets of SAFOG shall be vested in the Board of Trustees.

12.2 The Board of Trustees shall hold the property and assets for the benefit of SAFOG.

12.3 The funds of SAFOG shall be deposited in such account or accounts to be maintained at such Bank, Banks or other

Institutions as may be determined by the Council.

12.4 In case of dissolution of the SAFOG, the property, assets and any money held by the Trustees for the benefit of the

SAFOG and not expended or utilized for the benefit of SAFOG shall be returned and distributed by the trustees to the

SAFOG Country Organizations by the transfer to each organization such share of such property and/or assets and/or

payment of money to each organization as is proportionate to the contributions made by that organization by way of

subscription or otherwise, after settling off all debts and dues of the SAFOG. The Trustees may at their discretion sell or

otherwise dispose of any such property or assets in order to affect a distribution of money to the SAFOG Country

Organizations in terms of this clause.

Article 13: Amendments

13.1 Notice for amendments shall be submitted to the Council by a Council member or a SAFOG Country Organization not less

than three (3) months prior to a scheduled Council Meeting.

13.2 This constitution may be amended by the decision of the Council with a majority of not less than two-thirds of the Council

Members present and voting and at least four (4) member countries represented.

Article 14: Dissolution of the SAFOG

14.1 The SAFOG may be dissolved by the decision of the Council with a majority of not less than three fourths of the Council

Members present and voting and at least five (5) member countries represented.

Article 15: Replacement of the SAFOG Charter

15.1 The SAFOG Charter is hereby replaced.

15.2 The Executive Council of the SAFOG having gathered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on the 28th day of June 2008 , acting under

Clause 9 of the SAFOG Charter unanimously decided to repeal and replace the SAFOG Charter adopted on the 29th day of

November 1996 in Lahore, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and adopted the aforesaid constitution.

Under the authority of the SAFOG Executive Council.

Prof Farrukh Zaman (President, SAFOG)

Dr Shyam Desai (Secretary General, SAFOG)

Constitution of the SAFOG

xv

Save the Girl Child: A Mission—An Obsession(FOGSI LUPIN SAVE THE GIRL CHILD INITIATIVE)

Are you concerned about the dignity of the females and girl child in India

Are you concerned about the reducing male female ratio in India

Are you concerned that in India which worships devi’s: people still kill girls

If you are concerned join our movement of save the girl child

Becos only you can make a difference read on what FOGSI doctors are doing

How and why there is a where have all the daughters gone?

The Problem of Gender Bias in India: Sex Ratio in India, today when we have forged into the 21st century and have conquered

space and are on the verge of human cloning we humans still remain biased towards the sex of the unborn child. Wherever the

human race exists in the world to whatever cast and crude the one fact that emerges loud and clear is that the choice of the

expected newborn invariably remains a boy. Whenever the news of the arrival of a girl child is given to most of the population

in India it is an aura of doom in the family and the friends and well wishers place it as a cause of God on the couple which is

related to the “Karma’s” of the parents.

This major social “look down” on couples bearing female children has lead to the couples and to the women themselves

resorting to antenatal sex determination and selective termination of pregnancy and the rampant demand and supply of this

technique and procedure has lead to the imbalance of the sex ratio in India. However, I must emphasis here that even before

methods for determining the sex of the child came the preference of a son over daughter had resulted in an imbalance sex ratio.

What is sex ratio ? Sex ratio of a population or a country is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in that set

geographical area. Whenever a demographic characteristic of a population is measured like census it is the sex composition,

which is a basic measurement. The sex composition of the population is affected by a lot of factors:

1. Difference in mortality in males and females

2. Sex selective migration

3. Sex ratio at birth.

Change in Sex Ratio

Right from the British times the imbalanced sex ratio has been observed in Indian population while there was a clear decrease in

the female infancide but this just changed to a neglect of the female child. Most societies of the world a girl enjoys a biological

advantage in survival as compared to boys but in India the female children experience a higher mortality rate this in seen more in

families which already have a daughter. This discrimination is not generalized but is specifically targeted against a subset of

excess daughters born into a family.

Certain facts are:

1. Males out number females at berth.

2. Males have a higher mortality than females in early neonatal period.

3. In India it is sex that female mortality as infant and child is much higher this is seen by two indices infant and child sex ratio

and few exile sex ratio.

4. The above facts clearly indicate that in India the migration factor is less and it reflects that there is an unequal access by

gender to the means to sustain life and this suggests that females are under valued to such an extent that their survival is

jeopardized.

Raveena Tandon has joined us as our Brand Ambassador for this work how about you?

xvi

5. The level of education in Indian women is lowest in the world.

6. Levels of maternal mortality is the highest in the world.

7. All indicators show a big gender bias in Indian women in education, health and work, power, decision make and self esteem

(This fact is also true in South Asia and East Asia).

8. Girls and women have less access to food and health care than boys and men.

9. Girls are more subject to gender related violence than men.

10. Sati deaths are a major social hazard still persisting in India.

11. Purdah, child marriages, no choice to regulate their own fertility, domestic burden (Triple work load of multiple demands of

productive work, household and child bearing and really). This triple burden will leave a woman fatigued and in pain.

12. Male child is designated as the head of the household (Roman emperors, Indian Vedic philosophy etc. if a Indian man dies

without a son he becomes an evil sport or a son of a Brahmi woman could liberate 20 generations.

13. Preference for a son. In a world wide survey at was shown that couples in countries with high preference 1 : 6-Bangladesh,

Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea and Syria and India.

Moderate preference 1 : 2 - 1 : 5

Egypt, Mexico, Senegal, Turkey, M. Gena, Tunisia, Yeomen

No preference : Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia.

Girl preference : Jamaica, Venezuela

One of each gender : other countries.

14. Only sons can pray for the release of souls of dead parents and only males can perform birth, death and marriage rituals.

These traditions are still strongly practiced amongst Hindus, Confucian traditions thought area.

Son Preference and its Effects in India

1. Most families continue to keep having children till they get a son even after aching the desired family size.

2. Benefits of sons as :

a. Economic utility

b. Sociocultural utility

c. Religious utility

While a daughter is considered still as an economic > liability to her parents due to rampant dowry system and heavy costs

of weddings. Thus the female sibling is not treated as well as the male child especially where medical care and feeding practices

are concerned and it is a fact that

(i) Male children are more likely to be fully vaccinated.

(ii) Boys are breastfed for a longer period.

(iii) Boys are fed more and girls are more likely to be stunted in growth.

(iv) Medical health of girls is still delayed.

(v) Education to girls is restricted.

Due to all the above reasons selective abortion of female fetuses is wide spread in specially India, China and South Korea.

This has led to an increasing use of technology like prenatal ultrasound and amniocentesis and selective abortions. The government

of China and Korea have long banned prenatal gender tests and so has the Indian government through its PNDT act but illegal

tests are still available and females are more often aborted than male.

This selective termination has led to an alarming gender ratio alteration in almost all Indian states.

Sex ratio over the decades in India has been detoriating.

Years Females/1000 males Years Females/1000 males

1901 972 1961 941

1911 964 1971 930

1921 955 1981 934

1931 950 1991 927

1941 945 2001 933

1951 946

India’s sex ratio is the worst in the world. The highest ratio is in USSR 1135/1000 other countries, which have more females, are

USA, Brazil, Japan and UK. The sex ratio in Uttar Pradesh is very alarming at 898/1000 and in Agra is 852/1000 while Azamgarh has

Save the Girl Child: A Mission—An Obsession

xvii

1007/1000 and Deona has 995. In other states of India the ratio alarming in Punjab around 800/1000 while Kerala enjoys a good sex

ratio of around 980/1000.

When the ratio of 0-6 years children is calculated in India. In 1991, 945/1000 and has fallen to 2001, 927/1000 and UP > 1991, 927

which has fallen to 916/1000.

The worst is Punjab where the 823/1000 in 1991 fallen to 773 in 2001.

What can be done

Is sex preselection justified should we manipulate the gender ratio what can be done to stop this “Bhasmasuri attempt to finish

human race” ?

Well here are a few suggestions:

1. Improve position of girls in society

2. Increase economic opportunities for women

3. Raising value of women’s labor

4. Parents should feel daughters are a asset and not a liaselety

5. Increasing female education

6. Education of society

7. Education of the service pronders

8. Law and bans are specific measures and these can and will help if properly implemented and followed but only for reacting

improvements in the cultural, social, legal and economic position of women will improve the well being of the female children.

What FOGSI has done in year 2008 is commendable. They have put their logo as FOGSI’S daughter and put VIBGYOR,

rainbow colors in her hairs. They have collaborated with NGO action aid to adopt daughters.

A landmark partnership to address the issue of girl child has been launched as FOGSI-LUPIN save the girl child initiative

under which 1 50 mins documentary film has been produced by FOGSI.

We all have to understand that if we can solve WEEEEP (Women Empowerment, Education, Employment and Environment

Problems).

(Dr Narendra Malhotra, President FOGSI) (Save the girl child initiative launched on 6 Jan, 2009)

ERADICATE WEEEEP

Then we can make a new Indian woman literate and healthier.

Join The FOGSI Initiative

Educate a Girl Today

Educate your neighbors and stop all who are indulging in this evil practice of sex determination and female feticide welcome girls

say no to selective female feticide and sex determination FOGSIANS only you can make difference.

Dr Narendra Malhotra

President FOGSI , 2008

Dr Neharika Malhotra

Save the Girl Child: A Mission—An Obsession

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