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31ST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PAKISTAN SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND GI ENDOSCOPY (PSG 2015) & 6TH APAGE/JSGE SINGLE TOPIC MEETING ON INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES (IBD)

The 31st Annual International Conference of Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology and GI Endoscopy (PSG 2015) was held from 1st to 5th April 2015 at the Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan. The Conference encompassed the expanded range of issues from new trends, novel tools and modern techniques for GI diseases. The scientific programme included lectures, symposium and endoscopic workshops. World experts were invited to present state-of-the-art lectures and to share their perspectives.

This year, the Conference collaborated with the Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) and also the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) with a single topic on IBD. The topics ranged from IBD diagnosis criteria in Japan, colorectal cancer screening for IBD patients and management of IBD.

This was the first time that a single topic meeting of APAGE/JSGE held in this part of the world. The meeting was also endorsed by the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPEd), with messages of support from respective Presidents.

The local host chapter was Khyber Puktoonkhawa (KPK) with Professor Bakht Biland, Vice President of PSG, as the Chairman of the Organising Committee. The programme began with a two day endoscopy workshop held in Quaid –e-Azam International Hospital. On day one, 1st April 2015, Basic Endoscopy Workshop was held in which a hands-on training in various basic procedures was imparted to postgraduate trainees in small groups of ten doctors by senior faculty members and international faculty. Concurrently, an endoscopy technicians’ workshop was held for the first time where technicians were imparted training in Basic Life Support (BLS).

This workshop was held in collaboration with the Infectious Diseases Society/ MMISDP where the roles of healthcare workers in infection control and prevention (Healthcare – Associated Infection), cleaning and disinfection of scopes/instruments handling and care of instruments, pre and post endoscopy patient care, and BLS demonstration on mannequins were imparted. It was very well attended and oversubscribed with delegates from throughout Pakistan.

The international faculty from Japan, USA, United Kingdom, Thailand, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Canada, Turkey, China and India took part and conducted the Advance Endoscopy Workshop in collaboration with local faculty on day two, 2nd April 2015. Various procedures including POEM, ESD, EUS, Stenting ERCP, Argon Plasma Laser (APC), etc. were carried out by the faculty.

An esophageal high resolution motility ambulatory and pH-impedance lab was also set up with practical demonstration carried out.

The core meeting then moved to Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan. The scientific sessions were very well thought out and organized. All the common topics were covered on day three, 3rd April 2015. Most of the speakers on that day were the international faculty, the most up-to-date knowledge were imparted to delegates. For first time in Pakistan, a hands-on animal skill laboratory was set up in collaboration with Boston Scientific, ERBE, Pentax, Fuji and Olympus. It was very well attended.
On day four, 4th April 2015, the single topic on IBD by APGE/JSGE was held. It was a great hit with the delegates as the Japanese speakers led by Professor Kentaro Sugano, President of APAGE, presented the most up-to-date data and management plans.

The fifth day was dedicated to liver and liver transplantation, with world leaders in the field presenting their experience and data. It was not all work and no fun. On the inaugural night, the Health Minister of KPK, Mr Shahram Khan, was the chief guest. He distributed shields and souvenirs to the entire foreign faculty. The ambassadors of the foreign faculty were also invited to attend the dinner. A cultural show depicting various regions and cultures of Pakistan was held after dinner.

The Gala dinner and musical night was on Saturday night which was attended by families of delegates. Mr Shaukat Yousafzai, Parliamentary Leader of KPK Assembly, was chief guest on this occasion. Lifetime achievement awards were presented to senior Gastroenterologists from KPK that night.

At the Closing Ceremony, Dr Sania Nishtar, Ex-Federal Health Minister and Chairperson of the Heart File, was the chief guest.

The meeting ended successfully and the delegates were awarded ten CME points for attendance.