The idea of association for chest physicians practising in Karnataka state was conceived way back in 1996. Initially a small group of chest physicians used to meet over scientific platforms in different places of Karnataka. Periodic district level chest physicians meet was held regularly. This group grew enough to conduct a national conference on Tuberculosis in the year 1996.
The first ever state level conference was held at Mangalore. This was a witness to the enthusiasm amongst the pulmonary physicians practising in Karnataka. Later the same temperament continued and was instrumental in the regular annual scientific conferences held at Davanagere, Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi.
KPA became formally a registered body in the year 2019. The registered office is situated at Chest and Maternity Centre #878, 5th Block Rajajinagar Bangalore 560010.
Under the eminent leaderships of KPA, many scientific programs are being conducted. Which includes monthly chest meet, guest lectures, skill-based workshops for postgraduates, annual conferences, year in reviews, asthma conclave, celebration of world asthma day, world COPD day, public awareness programs like walkathon, press meet on world asthma day, free PFT camps.
What we do
Continuous Professional Development (CPD):
It is an ongoing process of development for a professional in the enhancement of their professional skills and proficiency throughout their careers. This ensures that both academic and practical qualifications do not become out dated or obsolete; allows the individuals to up skill, irrespective of their age or education level.
KPA has organised various CPD programs like: Asthma Conclave, ILD Summit, Be a neurosculptor of your personal and professional life, Medico legal aspects for a pulmonologist, Care of progressive respiratory multimorbidities: end of life care workshop.
Postgraduate Courses:
These interactive postgraduate courses are generally 2 hour sessions, where learning happens through engaging the postgraduates in group discussions. They are designed to provide a thorough understanding of the interest area and enhance learning.
KPA during the PULMOKARN 2020 had organised a Postgraduate workshop-‘Resident Boot Camp’ on these topics- Pulmonary function testing, Inhalers & Nebulisers, Sleep studies, Thoracic radiology, Arterial Blood Gas, Oxygen therapy, Non-invasive Ventilation, Basic bronchoscopy and a session on Research Methodology.
Patient Education:
These programs are the KPA's commitment to increase awareness among the patients suffering from pulmonary diseases. Engage them through walkathons, public talks and discussions, help in forming disease specific support groups.
We had organised ‘Asthmathon’: a walkathon event on World Asthma Day 2019. During the PULMOKARN 2020, free Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) was performed in various public places like bus stands, shopping malls, and educational institutions. Patient education materials are provided (electronically) in local language Kannada and English on various topics related to Pulmonary Medicine.
PRESIDENT
Dr K.S. Satish
HON SECRETARY
Dr Huliraj Narayanaswamy
TREASURER
Dr B.R. Ramesh
PATRONS
Dr Omprakash
Dr Sandhya Nanjundaiah
Dr HB Chandrashekhar
Dr RC Sahoo
Dr Vidyasagar B
Dr Gajanan S Gaude
PAST PRESIDENT
Dr George D’Souza
VICE PRESIDENT
Dr Mahesh PA
Dr Vishnu Sharma
Dr Shylendra
JOINT SECRETARY
Dr Anand R
Dr Sandeep HS
Dr Arun BJ
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Dr Murali Mohan BV (Chairman)
Dr Nagaraja C
Dr Jayaraj BS
Dr Ravindra Mehta
Dr Uma Maheshwari
Dr Somashekar
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dr Mohan Rao
Dr Shashibhushan BL
Dr Gayathri Devi HJ
Dr Virupaksha
Dr Ashwini Kumar Mahopatra
Dr Alamelu Haran
Dr Vishwanath Bellad
Dr Rajesh BP
Dr Suma P Kumar
Dr Vivek Padegal
Dr Ranganath
CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE
Dr Bheemasen Rao
Dr Giridhar Belur
Dr Hirenappa Udnur
Dr Bhagyashree Thamagond
Dr B Archana
Dr Lavanya S Peter
Dr Santhosh Nemagouda
Dr Harish GM
Dr Ramesh Revanna
Dr Kiran Krishnamurthy
Dr Syed Toushed
Dr Sunil Kumar
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. Definitions and Abbreviations
Unless otherwise specified in succeeding paragraphs,
A. “Association” means “Karnataka Pulmonologists Association”.
B. “Executive Committee” means “The Executive committee of Karnataka Pulmonologists Association” as constituted under these rules and bye‐laws.
C. “Membership Register” means the register containing details of the Members maintained by the Association.
1.1 All disputes regarding “Karnataka Pulmonologists Association” and its activities shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the court of law at the office of “Karnataka Pulmonologists Association” at BANGALORE only.
2. Membership:
2.1. The membership of the Association shall be of four categories, viz.
- Patrons
- Life Members,
- Associate Life members,
- Affiliate Life members
2.2. Eligibility Criteria for Various Categories of Memberships
2.2.1. Patrons
Any corporate body or an individual donating (an amount as decided by the Executive committee from time to time) Rs 1,00,000/- at the discretion of the Executive committee, be enrolled as a Patron of the Association. Patron members shall have neither voting rights nor the right to propose or second any person for any post or hold any office of the Association.
2.2.2. Life Members:
Members shall be required to possess a post‐graduate degree such as DTCD, MD/DNB, DM or equivalent in Pulmonary Medicine from any institution or university recognized by the Medical Council of India and/or approved by the Executive committee of the Association. Persons with special interest in the field of pulmonary medicine with academic qualification of MD/DNB General Medicine or specialties such as Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Diabetology, Nephrology, Neurology, Clinical Hematology, Endocrinology, Gerontology, Infectious Diseases, Allergy, Immunology, Rheumatology, Medical Oncology, cardiothoracic surgeons, post-doctoral fellows in critical care or intensive care, emergency medicine, interventional pulmonology and senior residents in pulmonary medicine approved by the Executive committee and ratified by the General Body. Membership shall be open to citizens of India only.
2.2.2.1. Any person qualified to be a Member could be enrolled by paying life membership of onetime fee.
2.2.2.2. Persons otherwise eligible to be admitted as Members but who are not citizens of India may be admitted as Associate Life Members only.
2.2.3. Associate Life Members:
A person holding a post‐graduate degree or diploma recognized by the Medical Council of India in any branch of medical science who is not eligible for life membership shall be enrolled as an Associate life Member. Also person pursuing post graduation in pulmonary medicine (DTCD/DNB/MD). Associate Members shall have no voting rights, nor the rights to propose, second any one or contest for any office of the Executive committee. Associate life members are not eligible for any oration, lectureship or any other award of the Association.
2.2.4. Affiliate Life Members:
The individuals who have an Allied Health Science degree B.Sc., M.Sc. or at least a 2 year diploma in Respiratory therapy/technology or Critical care therapy/ technology; Those who have an Allied Health Science B.Sc., M.Sc. or at least a 2 year diploma in Nursing or other Allied Science programs such as Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Nutrition etc. who specialize or have an interest in Respiratory healthcare; Respiratory Scientists with a Ph.D. in any branch of science are eligible to be admitted as an affiliate life member. They may on onetime payment of the prescribed fee become an affiliate life member. Individuals residing oversees, who fulfill the eligibility criteria may also be admitted as affiliate life members on payment of the stipulated fee.
2.3. MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE
2.3.1. The membership application shall be in a form prescribed by the Executive committee. It shall be accompanied by documentary evidence of eligibility, qualification and prescribed fees.
2.3.2. The Executive committee is the final authority to admit applicants to all categories of membership. The Executive committee shall, also accept the resignation from membership, as also decide cessation of membership for any other reason.
2.4. MEMBERSHIP FEES
2.4.1. The annual subscription for Membership shall be (an amount as decided by the Executive committee from time to time) presently Rs. 5000/- for life membership.
For associate members annual membership fee is Rs 3000/- and (an amount as decided by the Executive committee from time to time). An associate member can avail life membership by paying life membership fee and will become member upon he/she completing required qualification as defined above and notifying same with the secretary of the association
2.5 CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP:
The Executive committee by a three fourth (3/4) majority of the members present in the meeting may remove the name of any member from the register of members for gross misconduct after sending him/her a notice by registered post and giving him/her a proper opportunity to defend himself/herself including a hearing in person. Such action of the Executive committee shall be subject to ratification by 2/3 members present at the General Body Meeting of the Association.
2.6. MEMBERSHIP REGISTER:
A membership Register containing the names and addresses of members shall be kept at office of the Association. On receiving information from members, all changes pertaining to the members including their citizenship or addresses shall be recorded in the register.
2.7. PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS:
2.7.1. Subject to the provisions of these rules and bye‐laws, all Members and Associate Members shall be entitled to participate in all activities of the Association.
2.7.2. Members shall have the right to vote.
2.7.3. All Members shall have the privilege of registration for the Annual Conference at a concessional rate, orations, awards, lectureships and other official assignments.
3. Executive committee:
3.1. Executive committee consists of:
- President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Two Joint Secretary
- Immediate Past President
- Immediate Past Secretary
- Immediate Past Treasurer
- And 10 elected members
3.2. ELECTIONS
3.2.1. Eligibility
3.2.1.1. President:
To contest for the post of President, the candidate should be a Member of the Association for at least 3 years.
3.2.1.2. Secretary:
To contest for the Post of Secretary, the candidate should be a member of the Association for at least 1 year.
3.2.1.2(1). Joint Secretary:
To contest for the Post of joint secretary, the candidate should be a member of the Association.
3.2.1.2(2). Treasurer:
To contest for the Post of treasurer, the candidate should be a member of the Association.
3.2.1.3. All the office bearers and members of the Executive committee shall be ordinarily residing in India during the tenure of their office.
3.2.1.4. No member shall be eligible to seek election consecutively or otherwise for more than 2 tenure of 2 year each as President, Secretary and Treasurer. Furthermore, a member can only serve the Executive committee for not more than a total period of 5 years, excluding the period of tenure as President, President‐Elect, and Past President.
3.2.1.5. A member shall not contest simultaneously for more than one post.
3.2.1.6. The President shall become Immediate Past President and the President‐ Elect shall automatically become President after the Annual General Body Meeting. The secretary shall become Immediate Past secretary and secretary elect shall automatically become secretary after the Annual General Body Meeting. Similarly Treasurer shall become Immediate Past Treasurer and Treasurer elect shall automatically become Treasurer after the Annual General Body Meeting.
3.2.3. ELECTION AND ELECTION PROCEDURE
3.2.3.1. The elections shall be held on completion of tenure of the office bearers as specified above during the annual meeting.
3.2.3.2 The Secretary shall send the information to the members of the Association along with the meeting invitation for the annual meeting.
3.2.3.3. The nomination shall be proposed by one valid member, seconded by another valid member.
3.2.3.4. In case of a contest for any post, Secretary shall conduct the election proceedings, record the proceedings and announce the result.
4. Meetings
4.1. GENERAL BODY
4.1.1. The President shall preside over all the meetings of the Executive committee and the General Body. If the President is not present, Secretary or in their absence, one of members present at the meeting shall be elected by other members to preside over the meeting.
4.1.2. Annual General Body Meeting: The Annual General Body Meeting of the Association shall be held each year during the annual meeting.
4.1.3. Executive committee shall submit an Annual Report of the activities of the Association together with a statement of the assets and liabilities of the Association and an abstract of receipts and disbursements during the year and the report of the Auditors, if any.
5. Property, Money and Accounts
5.1.The property, moveable or immoveable, belonging to the Association shall vest in the Executive committee.
5.2. No sale, exchange, mortgage, lease or other transaction of immovable property belonging to the Association shall be valid unless at least the President and the Secretary execute the document concerned.
5.3. All moneys of the Association shall be deposited And/or invested :
5.3.1. In approved Bank or Banks
5.3.2. In Government and other negotiable trustee securities or in any mode permitted under the Act or in accordance with the administrative orders of the Government from time to time.
5.4. Accounts and other investments of the Association shall be operated by any two persons out of the following three viz. the President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
5.5 Association can provide its registration number, bank account and PAN details if host organizing committee of the ‘annual conference or other scientific meeting’ requires it on no loss no profit basis. Association will not be responsible for any financial liabilities. However host organizing committee of the annual conference or other scientific meeting is authorized conduct conference on their own provided they have registered local association.
6. Duties of Office Bearers:
6.1. PRESIDENT
The President shall preside over the General Body, Executive committee, and all other official meetings & functions of the Association. The President shall guide the activities of the Association and its aims & objectives. The President may allocate all or any of the powers and duties under this or any other clause of the constitution to any other office bearer as he/she may deem fit and necessary for the discharge of his duties.
6.2. Secretary
The Secretary will preside over the meetings in the absence of the President. The Secretary will act according to the duties assigned by the President and actively help the President to further the aims and objects of the Association.
6.2(a). Joint Secretary
The joint secretary will be assisting the secretary in all his activities. The Joint Secretary will act according to the duties assigned by the President, Secretary and actively help the Association to further the aims and objects of the Association
6.3. Treasurer:
Subject to the control and regulation of the Executive committee the Treasurer shall be responsible for carrying out the directions and decisions of the Executive committee.
6.3.1. Convene meetings of the Executive committee whenever necessary or called upon to do so,
6.3.2. Have administrative control over all the affairs of the Association,
6.3.3. Keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Association and Executive committee,
6.3.4. Prepare the Annual Report of the Association,
6.3.5. Be in charge of the furniture, library and all documents and other assets of the Association,
6.3.6. Collect all dues of the Association and deposit such amounts into the bank account of the Association.
6.3.7. Make disbursements and maintain vouchers, provided that any expenditure exceeding Rs. 5,000/‐ in a month shall be made after obtaining the sanction of the Executive committee.
6.3.8. Perform such duties as are incidental to his/her office.
6.3.9. All notice, communications, letters, memoranda and other papers whether they are acts of the Executive committee or of the General Body shall be signed or authenticated by the Secretary and when so signed or authenticated shall be conclusive.
6.4 Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall maintain true accounts of the funds and other assets of the Association and of funds and other assets connected with or in any way controlled by the Association.
7. Miscellaneous Administrative Rules
7.1. Any Suggestion / resolution submitted at a meeting of the Executive committee shall be decided by the majority of the votes cast by the members present and voting at the meeting. In case of equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a second or casting vote in addition to his vote as a member.
7.2. At least once every year, the accounts of the Association shall be examined and audited and their correctness ascertained by one or more registered auditors appointed for the ensuing year by the members at the Annual General Body Meeting each year. The Auditors of the Association shall hold office until the next Annual General Body Meeting. The retiring Auditor or Auditors may be reappointed. Remuneration to be paid to the said Auditor shall also be fixed by General Body meeting. Within fourteen days from the date of the General body meeting, the detailed statement of income and expenditure of the Association and other particulars as required under the law shall be submitted.
7.3. Any notice required by these Rules excepting intimation of regular monthly meetings, General body meetings and executive committee meetings, may be sent by ordinary post, A prepaid letter to the person concerned on the address mentioned in the register of members and the same shall be deemed to have been received by him on the date on which it would have reached him in the ordinary course. Intimation of regular monthly meetings, General body meetings and executive committee meetings will be done by email except when the member requests for these communications to be sent by ordinary post. All invitations of the Association meetings will be done through the official letterhead only.
8. Amendment and Repeal
8.1. Subject to the law in force at the time, the Executive committee shall have the power to add, vary or repeal any of the provisions contained in the rule. Such additions, variation so repeals can be affected by means of a resolution of which due notice has been given and which has been assented to by the vote of at least two‐thirds of the majority of the members present at the Annual General Body meeting.
KPA INTEREST GROUPS AND ASSEMBLIES:
In order to strengthen the academic and research activities of the Karnataka Pulmonologists Association, the ‘Interest Groups (IG) and Assemblies’ related to various sub specialities in Pulmonary Medicine are formed.
IG/Assembly will co-ordinate and represent the activities of all KPA members who have expressed their wish to join an IG/Assembly.
Proposed activities for the IGs/Assemblies:
- Organise any of the Postgraduate courses, Continuous Professional Development, Patient Education Program.
- Contribute to any sections of the KPA Newsletter: ’USIRU”
- The Annual meeting of the IG should be held during the annual conference.
- In between the annual conference, the IG Board members are expected to keep in communication by telephone/electronic means and should hold at least one meeting.
- The governing body of an IG or assembly is responsible for managing, organizing and leading the meetings and activities.
- A governing body can establishment a Task Force to work on a specific project for a given time.
- The scientific activities of an IG should be channelled through the KPA Scientific Committee. Each IG is encouraged to propose programmes for one or more scientific session at each Annual Conference.
- The final decision on the conference programme rests with the KPA Scientific Committee which has the power to reject or modify the proposal.
- The IG Assistant Secretary/Assembly Co-chair is responsible for helping the IG Secretary/ Assembly Chair and substitute them on demand.
- The governing body of an IG or assembly is expected to submit annual report every December, train new successors, encourage new projects, conduct online journal clubs.
- Any budget related to administrative expenses including mailing costs, telephone conferences, board meeting or research projects will be borne by the IG/ assembly.
- IG/assemblies will be reviewed periodically, to determine if goals are met.
How to become a member to IG:
- Membership to an IG is restricted to KPA members.
- A KPA member can join more than one IG.
- A KPA member can participate in the meetings of their respective IG.
What constitutes an IG?
- An interest group is a community of association members (minimum of 5 members, max of 25 members) with interests of networking in any specific areas of Pulmonary Medicine, to advance the knowledge and initiate research activities.
- An IG is governed by a Secretary and Assistant Secretary.
- Both nominated by the EC of KPA for one term (two years), coinciding with that of KPA Officers.
- Any member of the IG is eligible to be nominated; nominees should provide detailed information of clinical experience & research background.
- The official nomination shall take place in the general body meeting of KPA during the Annual Conference.
- The Secretary and Assistant Secretary may be re-appointed for many years.
- Nobody may be a Secretary or Assistant Secretary of more than one IG.
How a new IG can be formed?
- Generally, an IG should represent areas of interest within Pulmonary Medicine.
- The establishment of a new IG is approved by the General Body, following a proposal to the KPA Executive Committee (EC).
- Any KPA Member can propose that an IG is formed, but the decision is taken by the General Body following the proposal of the EC.
How an IG can transform to an assembly of KPA?
- Each interest group can evolve into an assembly of the KPA based on its profile.
- An assembly can be formed based on the sustainability of the group activities and member strength. Each assembly will be formed only if it has a member strength of at least minimum of 25 people. And it should have contributed to the academic activity in the form of one Postgraduate course, one Continuous professional development program (CPD) and one patient education program. Each IG should have contributed to every newsletter issue of the KPA.
What constitutes an Assembly:
- Assembly is a subdivision of the association composed of members and affiliates with like interests within the sub-specialities of pulmonary medicine.
- The purpose of an assembly is to improve communication among members for collection and dissemination of information, planning of academic activities during annual conference and CME’s.
- Each assembly will have a Chair and a Co-chair.
- Chair is a senior member and Co-chair is usually a Junior member.
- Both are elected by the members of the respective KPA assembly for one term (two years), coinciding with that of KPA Officers.
- The CV and background information of candidates will be placed on the KPA website, and an e-mail sent to all members of the assembly will announce the opening of election process.
- The official nomination shall take place in the general body meeting of KPA during the Annual Conference.
- The Chair and Co-chair may contest for a second period to either post, but may not hold office continuously (in either post) for more than four years.
- Nobody may be a Chair and a Co-chair of more than one assembly.
KPA Interest Groups:
- Airway Diseases
- Tuberculosis, HIV and other Infections
- Interventional Pulmonology
- Critical Care
- Sleep Related Breathing Disorders
- Interstitial Lung Diseases
- Pleural Diseases
- Respiratory Allergy Disorders
- Lung Transplant
- Thoracic Oncology
- Pulmonary Vascular Diseases
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Palliation & End of life care
- Thoracic Radiology
- Paediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Research
- Medical Education
Application to start a new interest group/assembly:
Each proposed interest group of the association may have objectives based on their focus.
Key components of the application:
- Contact information: name of the proposer, mobile number, email address (attach a CV)
- Governing body names
- Brief description of the group: projected number of members, group name
- Mission and vision statements
- Strategic Objectives
- Proposed activities/meetings
- Describe why this group will be beneficial.