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It was in the steel city of Jamshedpur, in the year of 1948, that 3 visionaries of Industrial Medicine as it was known then, nurtured an idea if establishing a National Scientific Forum where problems related to industrial medicine could be discussed. The visionaries were Lt. J. R. Kochar, Col. Najib Khan and Maj. R. C. Tarapore. It was though their relentless efforts that the Society for the study of Industrial Medicine (SSIM) India was ceremonially baptized on 9th July 1948, with an initial founder membership of 28. At the very first meeting, these 3 doyens were elected as the first torch-bearers of the organization.
The objectives of the Society were described as:
1. Stimulation of enquiry and research into causes, treatment and prevention of occupational diseases.
2. Guidance to industry with regards to problems of occupational medicine and hygiene, on modern scientific principles.
3. To secure effective and complete organization of medical officers in the industry.
4. To maintain liaison with National and International Organizations interested in occupational health problems.
The society, not being aimed as an exclusive organization of physicians working in industry, included Safety engineers, Personnel and Welfare officers, Occupational Nurses and ESIS panel doctors. As a matter of fact, it was meant for all persons connected with promotion and maintenance of health and safety of workers engaged in all types of industries, Railways, Armed Forces and other Government and Public Departments. Further, the industrial establishments were also invited to be Institutional members.
The society since then has grown steadily in stature and strength. From a mere figure of 28 to start with, our membership is now around 2000. This has been achieved by establishing branches all over the country. We have branches at Ahmadabad, Andhra Pradesh, Baroda, Bhilai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Duliajan, Dhanbad, Goa, Haryana, Howrah, Jamshedpur, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Pune, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Thane.
With a view to enlarging the scope of activities and in conformity with the modern trend, the name of Society underwent a change in 1970, to its present name - Indian Association of Occupational Health (IAOH).
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