Globally, India has been ranked 5th in pollution in 2023, and it is a growing problem in our country. Allergy, especially allergic rhinitis (AR), has significantly worsened due to pollution, identified by irritating nasal passages, increasing inflammation, and making people more sensitive to allergens, leading to more severe sneezing, congestion, and itching. In fact, 20-30% of the population is affected by AR, and 53% of patients with nasal symptoms had AR in 19 states of India.
In this situation, considering allergic rhinitis as one of the main themes, It is our great pleasure to announce that the 77th Annual Conference of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India (AOI) will be hosted in Kolkata again. This national conference of ENT doctors, popularly known as AOICON 2026, will be held on January 8-11, 2026, at the Viswa Bangla Convention Center, Kolkata.
We are proud to announce that approximately 3000-3500 doctors specializing in this super specialty from almost all states of India and abroad will participate in this largest platform and grand feast of knowledge of otolaryngology in India.
In the pre-conference Press Meet at Press Club Kolkata, Dr. Dwaipayan Mukherjee, National President of All India Ent Association (AOI) stated that besides pollution-based allergic rhinitis, the other important subjects of this conference is the release of Indian guidelines of Allergic Rhinitis management for protocol based treatment of indian patients, medico-Legal Guidelines of Ent practice along with recent advancement of the treatment and surgery of ear, nose, and throat diseases.
It has also been proven that our auditory system is mostly affected by noise pollution in urban regions. It is also known that asthma may develop from continuous or chronic allergic rhinitis. Due to increased pollution, otolaryngological diseases have increased geometrically.
Dr. Snehasis Barman, Organizing Secretary of the conference, stated that to enlighten the modern treatment of these allergies, a number of workshops will be arranged on the first day of AOICON on January 8, 2026. In these workshops, various modern treatments of allergy will be discussed, and junior ENT doctors of the country will be trained in skin prick tests or allergy tests in the presence of global legendary allergy specialists and ENT doctors.
Dr. Dwaipayan Mukherjee stated that in India, doctors generally treat patients using Western guidelines, where everything, including environment, genetics of patients, characteristics of allergens, etc., is completely different from this country. In this respect, an Indian guideline for treating Indian patients with a higher success rate has been prepared by the researchers of the association under his leadership. This guideline will be published in the form of a ready reckoner for the treatment of allergic rhinitis for ENT doctors and will be released at the time of the inauguration of the conference.
It is now well known that medico-legal issues are very important for doctors. Dr. Utpal Jana, President of West Bengal AOI and Organizing Chairman, informed that a medico-legal guideline for ENT treatment in India will also be published at the inaugural ceremony by the Association.
It has also been observed by doctors that vertigo is a growing problem among Indian people, with 20-30% of the population experiencing vertigo, and 180 million potentially suffering from dizziness disorders. A day-long workshop will also be arranged on vertigo in the conference, led by world-famous specialists.
Another interesting subject of this knowledge feast is the facial plastic workshop. The field of ENT surgeons in cosmetic facial surgery, such as rhinoplasty (redesign or beautification of the nose), earlobe surgery (reconstruction of the ear), nasal surgery, etc., will be discussed and trained by global and national experts in these surgeries. It is also noted that Dr. Ullash Raghavan, the pioneer of these surgeries from the UK, will also be present at this workshop.
Besides these workshops, CMEs on various ENT diseases will be held during this 4-day conference. Among the foreign delegates and faculty, experts will come from the UK, USA, Japan, Brazil, Gulf countries, and some other European countries.
Dr. Utpal Jana, President of WB AOI and Organizing Chairman, has called upon the media and people to attend the Inaugural Ceremony on January 9 at 5 pm onwards. It may be noted that Mrs. Sushmita Sen, ex-Miss Universe, and Mr. Arup Raha, ex-Air Chief Marshal, will be present as Chief Guests at the Inauguration. In this pre-conference Press Meet, Dr. Ajoy Khawas and Dr. Saumendra Nath Bandopadhyay also delivered their speeches.
It is a matter of pride for Bengal as well as Kolkata that this historical global summit has been organized by the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, West Bengal (WB AOI). In conclusion, and at this Meet, the speakers pray for the success of this mega event with the help of the people, doctors, and media
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