The role of anaesthesiologist in the care of the parturient has expanded, with
regular involvement in the labor rooms, the obstetric theatre and in the high
dependency and intensive care units that care for the critically ill
parturients. The shortage of anaesthetists has been identified as one of the
major causes of high MMR in India (407/100,000 deliveries) and is a
cause for
grave concern, with anaesthetic accidents (4.8%) being considered an
important
preventable cause of maternal deaths, according to the Safe motherhood WHO
training manuals. This has led to inclusion of anaesthesia as an important
component of the "Comprehensive essential obstetric care" in the safe
motherhood
programs all over India.
In the modern era of specialization, anaesthesiology has branched into specific
areas like cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, critical care and
pain, with setting up of their own associations to formulate guidelines,
initiate research and discuss problem-related issues in specific fields which
has made a positive impact on their development. Obstetric anaesthesia, which
caters to an alarming 9 million parturients and their off springs, remains
totally neglected and ignored as any other woman-related issue, which is
reflected in the wide disparity in MMR in the developed and developing
countries. (India-407; UK-9; USA-7.7).
Thus, it is imperative that anaesthesiologists, with special interest in
obstetric anaesthesia work towards the advancement of this specialty and promote
the highest standards of anaesthetic Practice In the care of the mother and
baby.
Proposal
To initiate a forum of likeminded, enthusiastic, dedicated and dynamic
group of anaesthesiologists who work both preferentially as well as part
of their general anaesthetic practice, in obstetric anaesthesia and are
interested in the growth and development of this specialty.
Aims
- To create a forum to formulate guidelines for minimum safe
monitoring standards and techniques for obstetric anaesthesia.
- To discuss maternal and fetal safety issues with different
anaesthetic techniques
- To start multi centre trials addressing important issues relating to
safe obstetric anaesthesia
Name
This Society shall be known as the "Association of Obstetric
Anaesthesiologists", hereinafter referred to as the "Society".
Place of Business
Its place of business shall be at "Department of Anaesthesia, Panna Dhay
women's Hospital, RNT Medical College, Udaipur-313001; Rajasthan, India"
or such other address as may subsequently be decided upon by the
Committee and approved by the Registrar of Societies. The Society shall
carry out its activities only in places and premises which have the
prior written approval from the relevant authorities, where necessary.
Objective
- To establish a forum for exchange and interchange of views and for
enhancing fellowship amongst its members.
- To assist in the establishment of Obstetric Anaesthesiology as an
important subspecialty.
- To promote research and training in Obstetric Anaesthesia.
- To improve Obstetric Anaesthesia services in India and the
neighboring countries.
- To carry out all such activities as would contribute to the
promotion of Obstetric Anaesthesiology
Duties of Office-Bearers
The President will approve the agenda made by the
Honorary
Secretary and will preside over all meetings of General
Assembly, Executive Board etc. He will perform the
duties as
desired by the Executive Board. He will appoint
committees
on the recommendation of the Executive Board. The
General
Assembly will elect him after proper nomination by the
Executive Board, provided that he has indicated in
writing
his willingness to run for the office. He should be a
previous member of the executive board. He shall serve
for a
term of two years. He is not eligible for re-election as
a
President.
The Vice President will perform all the duties of the
President in case of absence or inability of the
President.
The General Assembly will elect him after proper
nomination
by the Executive Board, provided that he has signified
in
writing his willingness to run for office. He needs to
be a
previous member of the Executive Board and will hold
office
for two years.
The Honorary Secretary will summon and be present at the
meetings of General Assembly, Executive Board and
others. He
will keep the record of proceedings of these meetings.
The
General Assembly will elect him after proper nomination
by
the Executive Board, provided that proposed nominee has
signed in writing his willingness to run for office. He
will
serve for a term of two years and will be eligible for
re-election for one more term. He need not be a previous
member of the Executive Board. He will receive
application
forms for new memberships and present them to the
Executive
Board. He will countersign all certificates issued and
make
proper entries in the book of the Society.
He will keep a full set of books of accounts, all
receipts
and disbursements of every name and nature, the amount
of
cash in hand and other information when required by the
Executive Board. He is authorised to expend up to Rs
1,000
per month for petty expenses of the society and will not
keep more than Rs 1,000 in the form of cash and money in
excess of this will be deposited in a bank to be named
by
the Committee. Cheques etc for withdrawal from the bank
will
be signed by the Treasurer and either the President or
the
Secretary.
Any person whom the Executive Board may direct in case of
his
absence or inability to act may perform his duties. The
Hon.
Secretary and Hon. Treasurer may recruit an assistant as
and
when necessary.
Ordinary Committee Members (nominees) shall assist in
the
general administration of the Society and perform duties
assigned by the Executive board from time to time.
Five members other than the President, Vice President,
and
Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer shall be elected as
Board
Members by the General Assembly after proper nomination
by
the Executive Board, provided that the proposed nominee
has
signed in writing his/her willingness to run for office.
The
Board Members will form the Executive Board. They will
serve
for a term of four years. They will be eligible for
re-election for one more consecutive term.
Audit and Financial Year
The honorary treasurer will submit the audited accounts at the annual GB
meeting every year. Accounts will be audited every year by one or more
registered chartered accountants appointed for the ensuing year at the
GB meeting.
Amendments to Constitution
The amendment of constitution, bylaws, rules and regulations will be
carried out by a sixty (60) percent vote by the total membership of the
General Assembly. The Executive Board will place the motion of amendment
of constitutions, bylaws, rules and regulations.
Donations
This Society may accept gifts, legacies, donations and/or contributions
in any amount, form and conditions as may be decided by the Executive
Board.
Disputes
In the event of any dispute arising amongst members, they shall attempt
to resolve the matter at an Extraordinary General Meeting in accordance
with this Constitution. Should the members fail to resolve the matter,
they may bring the matter to a court of law for settlement, at the
headquarter of Society.
Dissolution
- The Society shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not
less than 3/5 of the total voting membership of the Society
expressed either in person, at a General Meeting convened for the
purpose.
- In the event of the Society being dissolved as provided above, all
debts and liabilities legally incurred on behalf of the Society
shall be fully discharged, and the remaining funds will be disposed
of in such manner as the General Meeting of members may determine or
donated to an approved charity or charities.
- A Certificate of Dissolution shall be given within seven days of the
dissolution to the Registrar of societies.
Power of Executive Authorities and General Meetings
- The General Assembly and Executive Board will be responsible
executive authorities for the administration of the society.
- The General Assembly will consist of ordinary members.
- The Assembly may also be contacted and its views obtained by a
circular letter in the interim period.
- A Scientific Congress will be held every two years; obstetric
anaesthesia updates will be held every alternate year.
- The Executive Board will receive proposals for holding Scientific
Congresses. A member state that wishes to host a scientific congress
should indicate his willingness to do so in writing 2 years before
the proposed Scientific Congress. The Executive Board, after having
taken a decision, will recommend to the General assembly, the venue
and time of the Scientific Congress .
- At other times, an Extraordinary General Meeting must be called by
the President on the request in writing of not less than 25% of the
total voting membership or 30 voting members, whichever is the
lesser, and may be called at anytime by order of the Executive
board. The notice in writing shall be given to the Secretary setting
forth the business that is to be transacted. The Extraordinary
General Meeting shall be convened within two months from receiving
this request to convene the Extraordinary General Meeting.
- At least two week's notice shall be given of a General Meeting.
Notice of meeting stating the date, time and place of meeting shall
be sent by the Secretary to all voting members by email or post. The
particulars of the agenda shall be posted on the Society's website
four days in advance of the meeting.
- Unless otherwise stated in this Constitution, voting by proxy will
not be allowed at all General Meetings.
The powers of the General Assembly will be:
- To receive, discuss and ratify the minutes of the proceedings of the
Executive Board Meetings reported by the Honorary Secretary.
- To approve the audited statement of accounts.
- To elect the office bearers.
- To determine the venue of the next Congress that has been
recommended by the Executive Board.
- To approve the budget.
- To approve applications for membership.
- To consider other matters duly brought up.
Any member who wishes to place an content-box on the agenda of a
General
Meeting may do so provided he gives notice to the Secretary one
month before the meeting is due to be held.
At least 25% of the total voting membership or 30 voting members,
whichever is the lesser, present at a General Meeting shall form a
quorum. Proxies shall not be constituted as part of the quorum.
In the event of there being no quorum at the commencement of a
General Meeting, the meeting shall be adjourned for half an hour and
should the number then present be insufficient to form a quorum,
then, the meeting will have to be adjourned and reconvened with due
notification (mentioned above) within 6 months.
