IADVL (Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists & Leprologists) is an association of Indian medical specialists who manage patients with skin diseases, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and leprosy. It was established on 28th January, 1973 at Udaipur after merger of separate regional bodies of skin and STD specialists.

Dr. (late) B.N. Banerjee was elected the First President while Dr. L.K. Bhutani was chosen as the First Honorary General Secretary. IADVL was registered at Lucknow on 8th May, 1975 under the Societies registration Act.

The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) is now a cherished body. The association unites these specialists under one umbrella and works for the betterment of the specialty principally by holding academic meetings aimed at continuing medical education of the specialists.

The Annual Conference attracts over 3000 delegates from all across the country and is the principal dermatological scientific meeting in India. The ultimate aim is to improve the quality of care delivered to patients suffering from skin diseases, STDs and leprosy.

NNorth East States Branch of IADVL was formed by the name North East Regional Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists in 1988 as a representative body of the dermatologists, venereologists and leprologists hailing from the seven sister states of the northeastern part of the country. Subsequently the name was changed to North East States Branch of IADVL.

The Founder President of North East States Branch of IADVL was Dr. Tarun Chandra Saikia. Dr Jogesh Das was elected the first Secretary of the branch. The branch was formed with 6(six) members only. The first annual conference of the branch was held in Guwahati on the 10th and 11th of November, 1988. The inaugural conference was attended by 31 delegates from the member states- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

Dr. Tarun Chandra Saikia in his presidential address had mentioned -"In Assam before Independence, the specialty of Dermatology and Venereology was not given much importance and the specialty was underdeveloped. In Berry White Medical School, the only teaching Medical institute in undivided Assam (N. E. India) where common skin diseases were treated under Medicine Department and Venereal diseases were treated under Surgery Department. There were no definite curriculums in teaching and these specialties were in dark. The Missionary Hospitals in Shillong and Jorhat and few other such hospitals did some pioneer work in the treatment of Leprosy patients. The first Medical College was established in Assam in 1947 at Dibrugarh. The humble beginning of the Department of Dermatology was in 1957 in Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh. At first Dermatology and Venereology was separate but later on amalgamated under the same administrative Head. These again were in small cubicles where "look, diagnosis and prescribe" was the only ritual and there were no side laboratories. There were no trained personal and the subject was neglected and was at the tail end of the Medical organisation. But the response of the patients was promising. There were plenty of materials worth studying. The first case of Sporotrichosis was reported from Assam Medical College in 1958 and later a series of cases of this rare fungal disorder has been reported in 1976."

Dr Tarun Channdra Saikia joined as Dermatologists in Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh in 1957 after completion of Postgraduate diploma studies in Andhra Medical College and training course in Dermatology from Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine. He was promoted to Assistant Professor of Dermatology in Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh in the year 1961. After completion of M. D. course in Dermatology and Venereology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in July 1964 he was promoted as Professor of Dermatology in Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh on 20th September 1966. Dr Tarun Chandra Saikia was the first qualified Dermatologist of N.E. India.

By the year 1973-74 another three qualified (M.D.) Dermatologists came to the region. They were Dr Jogesh Das, Dr Kamala Kanta Das and Dr K. N. Barua. The scenario started changing particularly in Medical Colleges. Various activities like Anti Leprosy day, School survey and Slum area survey for Leprosy, Skin health camp, CME Programs, Symposium, seminars, Regional Leprosy Seminar, etc could attract the junior Doctors immensely. The Dermatology Department particularly in Gauhati Medical College could secure a special status and the Dermatology Department was separated from the Department of Medicine subsequently. In early eighties various Dermato-surgical procedures were carried out particularly in Gauhati Medical College by Dr K. N. Barua. Pulse Therapy in Pamphigus Vulgaris was started under the direction Dr J.S. Pasricha by Dr K. N. Barua in the early eighties when the concept of pulse therapy was not accepted by most of the dermatologists of our country. Post-Graduate teaching in dermatology was started in Gauhati Medical College in 1988 after 81 years of Post-Graduate teaching in India at J. J. Hospital and G. M. C., Bombay in 1907. Post-Graduate teaching in Assam Medical College was started in 1994-95 after 6 years of Post-Graduate teaching in Gauhati Medical College in 1988. As of now this specialty in N.E. region is the most sought after Department by the Junior Doctors for P.G. course.

Since its inception, the N. E. States branch of IADVL has continued to flourish and expand each year. However, the members of Manipur moved away from the branch in 1996 and formed a separate state branch. At present the branch has a total strength of 67 Life Members, 7 Provisional Life Members, 7 Associate members and 12 Old Associate members.

Every year the branch organises an annual conference with a CME program to promote scientific deliberations amongst the delegates from this region and cater to their academic needs. The branch has successfully organized several National level workshops and training programs under the aegis of the parent association. It was conferred the privilege of hosting the XXVth National Conference of IADVL at Guwahati on 24 - 26 January, 1997. It was the Silver Jubilee Session of IADVL. Despite Political disturbances and insurgency problems and two "Assam bandh" during the Conference it was successfully concluded with the help of all concerned. The Conference was a memorable one for the members present.

The web site of our branch www.neiadvl.org is in place since 2002.
The website (www.neiadvl.org) was initially created by Dr. K. N. Barua, Dr. Rajib Kr Gogoi and Dr.Shyamanta. More inputs were added for the same every year.
Details for Prizes/Awards:-

Late Bhogmaya Barua memorial award:- Prof. Dr. K.N. Barua funded award in the memory of his late mother Bhogmaya Barua. The award is given as cash prize money of Rs. 3,000/- & a certificate in each annual conference of N.E. States Branch of IADVL to one of the best paper presentator who should be below 35 years of age and a member of N.E. State Branch.

Dr. Ganesh Chandra Das award:- This award is given every year by Dr. Jogesh Das founder Secretary of N.E. State Branch of IADVL in the memory of his Late father who took keen interest in practice in the field of dermatology. The award is given as cash prize money of Rs. 1500/- and a certificate in each annual conference of N.E. States Branch of IADVL to one of the best paper presenators who should be below 35 years of age and a member/ or Associate member of N.E. States Branch IADVL.
The organising committee award :- The organising committee of each annual conference shall donate lump-sum money during the annual conference to constitute a prize to one of the best paper presentator.

To preserve the records of our branch & members we have started our Archive in 2005. Probably we are pioneer in this activity in the history of IADVL.
The Constitution of N. E. States branch of IADVL was printed in 2005. During the mid term meet of N.E. States branch, IADVL on 31st July'05 one resolution was passed to frame Rules & bye-laws of our branch for better dissemination of activities both scientific & organisational. The General body nominated Dr. K.K. Das as chairperson, Dr Kanak Ch. Talukdar as Secretary of constitution committee & the other members being Dr. (Mrs) J. Devi, Dr. (Mrs.) Urmila Barua & Dr. (Mrs.) Padmaja Saikia. The Constitution was framed according to the guideline of the National IADVL Constitution.

Our Branch in 2005, first published the Directory of members along with the Constitution.

In 2005, a journal named 'North Eastern Journal of Dermatological Science ' was released, which was edited by Dr Nasiur Rahman.

N.E. Branch of IADVL was registered at Guwahati on 8th May, 2008 under the Societies Registration Act (XXI of 1860) vide Registration No. - KAM/240/A-12/357 of 2008, dated 16-5-2008.

Now, we all know that our branch has progressed relentlessly and also enjoys very good reputation. N. E. States Branch of IADVL has received the best branch Award for the year 2007 at DERMACON-2008, Chandigarh. It was possible only because of the help and co-operation from all the members in our branch activities. Let's work still better and retain our status.

Compiled by:
Dr. Khagendra Narayan Barua
Dr. Kanak Ch. Talukdar