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Leading Dermatologists to Tackle Industry Challenges at Dakshin Health Summit
A groundbreaking medical conclave aimed at addressing critical issues facing India’s dermatology landscape will take place in Hyderabad next month. The Dakshin Health Summit 2025, scheduled for November 9 at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Gachibowli, promises to confront challenges that have long plagued the field but rarely receive public attention.
“This isn’t about celebrating the latest aesthetic trend or launching products,” explains Dr. Rajetha Damisetty, Organizing Chairperson of the summit. “This is about dermatologists addressing how unqualified practitioners have infiltrated our field, diluting the science and ethics that define us and putting patient safety at serious risk.”
The summit comes at a pivotal moment for Indian dermatology. The sector faces multiple crises: widespread over-the-counter availability of topical steroids, an alarming increase in premature hair loss among young Indians, unchecked social media misinformation, and a proliferation of aesthetic procedures performed by practitioners with questionable credentials.
C Damodar Raja Narasimha, Telangana’s Minister for Health, Medical & Family Welfare, Science and Technology, will inaugurate the event, signaling government recognition of these systemic issues.
Unlike traditional medical conferences, the Dakshin Health Summit will feature six extended panel discussions designed to facilitate deep, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about the state of dermatology in India. These sessions will cover quackery and ethical concerns, early-onset hair loss, aesthetic dermatology trends, steroid abuse, skin health and aging, and social media’s impact on the field.
The steroid abuse panel is expected to generate significant interest, bringing together experts from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal to examine regional patterns of misuse. Dr. Shyam Verma, a renowned dermatologist and researcher, will join pharmacologists and health activists to address whether governments, doctors, and pharmacies are enabling harmful access to steroids that damage patients’ skin.
“We deliberately chose depth over breadth,” notes Chetana R Belagere, Health Editor at South First, the platform organizing the summit. “These aren’t topics you can address in 15-minute talks. We need honest, sometimes uncomfortable conversations.”
The summit has partnered with the Neo-ethical Professionals’ Association and its subsidiary, Indian Dermatologists and Doctors Against Quackery (IDDAQ), represented by General Secretary Dr. Amarendra Pandey. Recognizing that patient protection requires interdisciplinary approaches, the event will include perspectives from law, public health, pharmacy, nutrition, and social activism.
Notable participants include Karam Komireddy, an advocate joining the quackery panel; Dr. Sharon Baisil, an epidemiologist and AI expert contributing to discussions on aesthetic dermatology’s future; and Dr. Gitanjali Batmanabane, a pharmacologist and Pro Vice-Chancellor at GITAM University, who brings regulatory expertise to the steroid misuse conversation.
“We’re calling this a conclave, not a conference, for a reason,” says Vasu Gandikota, Founder & CEO of South First. “Conferences happen frequently. This is meant to be the start of a sustained movement towards ethical, evidence-based dermatological care.”
The organizers envision the summit as a catalyst for meaningful change within the profession, from improved self-regulation to advocacy for stronger governmental oversight. With healthcare consumer awareness rising and demand for aesthetic procedures growing exponentially, the stakes have never been higher for the dermatology field.
The fundamental question that the Dakshin Health Summit 2025 aims to address is whether dermatology can reclaim its identity as a science-driven medical specialty in the face of infiltration by unqualified practitioners, widespread steroid abuse, and rampant social media misinformation.
Registration for the event is now open, with the full-day program scheduled to run from 9:15 am onwards on November 9.
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14 Comments
The Dakshin Health Summit seems like a critical initiative to safeguard the integrity and quality of India’s dermatology industry. Tackling issues like unqualified practitioners and medical misinformation is essential for patient wellbeing.
I agree. This summit represents an important opportunity for dermatologists to take a stand and drive positive change in their field. It’s a much-needed step in the right direction.
This summit sounds like an important step in addressing some critical issues in the Indian dermatology field. Curbing unqualified practitioners, misinformation, and unsafe practices is crucial for patient safety and upholding medical standards.
I agree, this is a much-needed initiative. Addressing problems like steroid misuse and the proliferation of dubious aesthetic procedures is vital.
As someone with an interest in the Indian healthcare landscape, I’m intrigued by the Dakshin Health Summit’s agenda. Bringing dermatologists together to confront the sector’s most pressing problems is a promising step forward.
Absolutely. This kind of targeted, solutions-oriented event could make a real difference in addressing the challenges faced by the Indian dermatology community. I’m hopeful it will yield meaningful results.
The summit’s emphasis on confronting medical misinformation is also critical. Social media has amplified the spread of false claims and dubious advice, which can be very harmful. Addressing this head-on is commendable.
Absolutely. Combating misinformation and ensuring patients have access to reliable, science-based information is crucial. I hope the summit can make meaningful progress on this front.
Tackling the over-the-counter availability of topical steroids and the rise of premature hair loss are particularly concerning issues that need urgent attention. I’m glad the summit will focus on these growing problems.
Yes, these are worrying trends that can have serious long-term consequences for public health. Dermatologists taking a stand on this is an important and timely move.
The Dakshin Health Summit seems like a timely and much-needed event. Addressing the multitude of challenges facing Indian dermatology, from steroid misuse to medical misinformation, is crucial for the industry’s long-term health.
I’m glad to see the summit taking such a comprehensive approach to these issues. Tackling them head-on will be key to improving patient care and restoring trust in the field.
It’s good to see the summit taking a firm stance against unqualified practitioners performing aesthetic procedures. Patient safety should always be the top priority in the medical field.
Agreed. Allowing unqualified individuals to perform these procedures puts patients at serious risk. Strengthening standards and oversight is vital.