The south Asia federation of obstetrics and gynecology was formed in the year 1995 with the countries India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka getting together and having a preliminary meeting on the September 7, 1995 at Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Federation was officially formed on 29th November 1996 The aim of the Federation was to bring together the obstetricians and gynecologists in the South Asian region - India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives for closer cooperation and social understanding, to develop the concept of reproductive health and also to promote exchange of ideas and sharing of knowledge of skills and attitudes. It was also proposed to bring about uniformity in Medical postgraduate training in this region. It was decided to cooperate with other International and organizations concerned with reproductive health.

The representatives from the India who are involved at this stage were Dr.Shrirish Sheth, Dr. D. K. Tank and Dr. Kamal Bakshi along with Dr. R. P. Sonawalla, Dr. N. N. Roychowdhury and Dr. Alokendu Chatterjee. Professor Rashid Latif Khan of Pakistan was elected the first president of the SAFOG.

The Conference of the SAFOG is held every 4 years, the first conference was held in Lahore in 1996, the second conference in Sri Lanka in 1998. FOGSI and MOGS organized the third conference in 2002. Dr. D. K. Tank was elected as the president of SAFOG during this meeting, Dr. Duru Shah was organizing chairperson, Dr. Shyam Desai and Dr. P.K. Shah were organizing secretaries.

Dr. Alokendu Chatterjee has been the Secretary of Research and Secretary of Education in the past. He is at present the vice president of SAFOG, Dr. Shyam Desai was the Deputy Secretary general since the year 2002 and at present he is the Secretary General of the SAFOG.

 The Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India by virtue of being the body with a large membership is active in the SAFOG with resources as far as infrastructure and Faculty are concerned in the recent past Training programs involving members from neighboring countries have been held in subspecialties such as Ultrasound, Endoscopic Surgery and Infertility.

It has been decided to hold a South Asia day with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in London in July 2009. This give a platform for members of various countries in the Organization to present their country statistics and also for the Organization top get more recognition among the International bodies. It is also proposed to have a Representative of SAFOG at the FIGO executive Board meeting so that a direct link between the two Organizations can be established.

At present under the president ship of Prof A B Bhuiyan several opportunities are created for interaction between Obstetric and Gynecological specialists of the various countries and invitations to local Conferences of members bodies are extended to the other Nations. The South Asia federation also has a session at the National conference of the Members bodies where the topical regional issues are discussed.

The camaraderie that exists between the delegates at the South Asia Federation meeting is encouraging and augurs well for the continuation of efforts towards meeting goals as far as maternal health and child health are concerned.

Uploaded in April 2010