Dr Sandeep Bansal Assumes Presidency of Indian Association of Surgeons for Sleep Apnoea
Chandigarh: Dr Sandeep Bansal, a distinguished specialist from the ENT department at the prestigious Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), has officially taken charge as the president of the Indian Association of Surgeons for Sleep Apnoea (IASSA). In his inaugural address, Dr Bansal articulated a comprehensive and collaborative vision aimed at tackling the escalating public health challenge posed by obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) across India.
A Silent Epidemic with Grave Consequences
Dr Bansal characterized obstructive sleep apnoea as a "silent epidemic" that carries severe and wide-ranging health implications. He emphasized that untreated OSA is not merely a sleep disorder but a condition with profound cardiovascular risks, metabolic disruptions, and significant neuro-cognitive consequences that can diminish quality of life and increase mortality.
"The management of sleep apnoea must evolve beyond fragmented, speciality-specific approaches," Dr Bansal stated. "We require a paradigm shift towards a structured, interdisciplinary model that places the patient at the very center of care."
Blueprint for Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Central to Dr Bansal's presidential agenda is the fostering of deeper integration among various medical specialities. He advocates for a unified front involving:
- ENT surgeons
- Pulmonologists and sleep physicians
- Maxillofacial surgeons
- Neurologists
- Anaesthesiologists
- Allied health professionals and experts
This collaborative framework is designed to ensure that diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of OSA are comprehensive, evidence-based, and tailored to individual patient needs, thereby improving clinical outcomes on a national scale.
Strategic Priorities for IASSA Under New Leadership
Under Dr Bansal's stewardship, the Indian Association of Surgeons for Sleep Apnoea will embark on several key initiatives:
- Development and Implementation of Evidence-Based Protocols: Establishing standardized clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and surgical management of obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Promotion of Collaborative Research: Encouraging multi-center studies to advance the scientific understanding of OSA and innovate treatment methodologies.
- Creation of Standardized Surgical Pathways: Defining clear, reproducible surgical protocols to enhance the safety and efficacy of sleep apnoea surgeries.
- Advanced Training and Education Platforms: Building robust educational programs and workshops to train the next generation of clinicians in the latest sleep medicine and surgical techniques.
- Strengthening Academic Partnerships: Forging stronger ties with national and international medical institutions to facilitate knowledge exchange and elevate the global standing of Indian sleep medicine.
A Commitment to Excellence and Innovation
Expressing his sincere gratitude for the confidence placed in him by the association, Dr Sandeep Bansal reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to the cause. "I am deeply honored by this responsibility and committed to elevating the standards of sleep medicine and sleep surgery in our country," he declared.
His vision is clear: to harness innovation, prioritize continuous education, and champion unified clinical excellence. Through these efforts, Dr Bansal and the IASSA aim to transform the landscape of sleep apnoea care in India, turning the tide against this silent yet formidable epidemic.
