Some of the big names in the pharmaceutical industry as well as health care industry are coming together to organize a mega event called Health 2003 in Mumbai from 3rd to 6th October.

The four-day event being held at Bandra Reclamation in Mumbai will incorporate seminars, talks, exhibitions, health check-ups, live operations being shown to the masses and many other attractions.

"This is probably for the first time in Asia that a health-related event of this magnitude is being organized," says Nitin Telang, Senior Director, World Expo & Conventions Management Ltd (the event mangers). Yuvak Prathishthan, (headed by Kirit Somaiya, MP) an NGO that has been working on several issues related to health is also the co-organizer of the event.

Seminars on AIDA, cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, orthopaedics, and several other topics will be conducted. Doctors and specialists from various parts of the country will be speaking on these issues. Popular talks related to health care, in local languages will also be a feature of the event.

Several hospitals in Mumbai like Hinduja, Breach Candy, Raheja, Lilavati etc are taking active part in the event. They will be organizing health check-ups for the general public at subsidized rates.

Live angioplasty surgery by Dr Ashwin Mehta from Jaslok Hospital will be telecast to the masses. They also plan to incorporate more such live surgeries during the event.

An exhibition on all kinds of medical equipments, pharmaceutical products, rehabilitation facilities etc will be a major attraction of the event.

"The primary motive behind this event is to create health awareness among the masses and to let the world know about the potential of India being the ultimate health destination. For this we have invited several guests from all over the world," says Telang.

And to promote the same cause, eminent doctors, industrialists and invited delegates from top pharma companies will be talking about India- The Health Destination. Sushma Swaraj has also been invited to be a part of the event.

Essentially several pharmaceutical companies like Bayer India, Thyrocare etc, are financing the Rs.2.5 crore event.