Bhubaneswar: More than 8,000 delegates from across the country are taking part in the 61st All-India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology that began here on Thursday. The event will conclude on January 21.

The Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Odisha (AICOG), under the aegis of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecology Societies of India (FOGSI), organised the event that was inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik at Janata Maidan here.

"I appreciate the active participation of the FOGSI members in framing of state-specific action plan to accelerate reduction of the infant mortality rate and the maternal mortality rate under the Sammpurna scheme, and providing support for effective implementation of various government programmes," said Naveen.

As part of the event, the organisers have put up nine parallel scientific hangers where 200 exhibition kiosks were put up. "The scientific programmes will immensely help the delegates in updating their skills and knowledge in imparting better patients care," said organising secretary H.P. Pattnaik.

Prior to Thursday's event, the AICOG had conducted 11 pre-Congress workshops at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital and Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital where live operations were telecasted from operation theatres to demonstrate new techniques.