Dear Friends

It is my privilege and honour to be nominated for the election to the post of President -Elect of ICNA. My commitment and contributions to ICNA are well known to many of you, especially to those who reposed their trust in me and elected me as Secretary of ICNA, and I am extremely grateful for that. I would like to reiterate my unflinching commitment to ICNA and its members!

My Contributions to ICNA
My passion for global child neurology drove me towards ICNA several years ago and I remained associated with it almost since its inception! I participated regularly in ICNA meetings where I organized symposia, delivered several talks, chaired sessions, and presented my research. Some of my important contributions to ICNA include

As an Executive Board Member, I have contributed extensively to the cause of ICNA

• Served as S-E Asia Coordinator of ICNA Educational meetings, and enthusiastically organized/ participated in a record 26 productive ICNA Educational meetings across the world, including in resource limited as well as remote countries.
• Served actively on various ICNA Committees, including Education, Long Term Planning, and Nomination Committees.
• Co-edited the IRCN book “CNS Infections” for ICNA,
• Conducted the ICNA Global Burden of Disease Project on Tuberculosis,
• Contributed to JICNA as a reviewer and member editorial board
• Contributed as Scientific Committee member of ICNA international congresses 2016, 2018, 2020 and going on with 2022. I have not missed a single board meeting during my tenure!

As Secretary of ICNA, I am deeply involved with all its activities, committees, decision making and organizational processes and am doing my best to fulfil my responsibilities that are required for the smooth functioning of ICNA.

My Global Experience and insight

My training, fellowships and work in several countries –including, at The University of Southern California USA, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Kennedy Krieger Institute Baltimore USA, The Great Ormond Street Hospital London, The Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh, the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK, and the University of West Indies Jamaica, has provided me rich international experience and wide perspective.

Moreover, for the past several years I have been actively working as National Delegate for the Asian Oceanian Child Neurology Association and this has given me insight into the strengths and challenges of child neurology practice in the Eastern part of the world.

All the above experiences have helped me foster friendships with Pediatric Neurologists all over the world. Such a unique blend of experience from both resource limited and resource rich countries as well as from the East and West, I believe, is one of my great assets.

My Contributions to Child Neurology

A staunch advocate for children with neurological issues across the globe, I have pioneered the development of Pediatric Neurology in India. I started the post-doctoral (DM) program in PGI, published 464 papers, edited 4 books, and served on the Editorial Board of prestigious journals. I was Visiting Professor to universities in USA, UK, Canada, Sweden, Taiwan, and Spain, and delivered over 450 talks in international and national conferences.

I was founder member and National President Association of Child Neurology India and Vice President Childhood Disability Group of Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Through my several leadership and scientific advisory positions with UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, National Council for Education Research and Training, Indian Council for Child Welfare, Early Childhood Education and Development Centre, National Institute of Mental Handicap, Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee etc., I have contributed to the cause of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Since 1985, I have provided voluntary service, to children with special needs at the Rehabilitation Centre Chandigarh and conducted camps in rural and slum areas to help children with disabilities. I helped organize numerous training workshops for early detection and early intervention - not only in India, but also in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

My contributions were recognized with numerous gold medals, research awards, orations and international fellowships including the President of India Medal, Asian Research Award, British Pediatric Association and The Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health Fellowships, and AOCN Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr Pratibha Singhi MD, FNAMS, FIAP
Director Pediatric Neurology and Neurodevelopment Medanta, India
Former Head, and Chief Pediatric Neurology and Neurodevelopment, Advanced Pediatrics Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
Current Secretary General of the ICNA