Day Sessions 2 - Islamabad

Day Sessions for the second day of the Islamabad leg of the conference included sessions:

Meet the Experts:

Dr. Farwa Batool introduced the first speaker of the day, legendary psychiatrist and phenomenal speaker Brig.(R) Mowaddat Hussain Rana, MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, DCPS-HPE, MCPS-HPE,D-CBT(Oxford), MRCPsych(UK), FRCPsych(UK) (Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore). Next, Dr. Arshed Quyyumi, MD, FRCP, FACC (Professor of Cardiology, Emory University, USA) delivered an engaging lecture on Novel Concepts in Cardiovascular Disease.

Scientific Sessions:

Gastroenterology I

The day's scientific sessions began with an engaging session on Gastroenterology chaired by Prof. Dr. Aftab Mohsin, MBBS, FCPS, FRCP (HOD Gastroenterology Department, Allama Iqbal Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan) and co-chaired by Dr. Najmul Hassan Shah, MBBS, MRCP, FCPS (Consultant Hepatologist & Director of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation DepartmentQuaid-e-Azam International Hospital). The session was Dr. Altaf Baqir, M.B.B.S. , MCPS. (Family Medicine), FCPS (Pakistan).

To begin the program, Yawer Nensey, MD (Gastroenterologist at Florida Gastroenterology Associates), presented on A Noninvasive Approach to Determine Liver Fat and Fibrosis. Next, Dr. Altaf Baqir, presented on Interpretation of LFT/Child's Score/MELD. Finally, Prof. Aftab Mohsin presented on Hepatitis B and C: are we on track to meet WHO Target of elimination in 2030? The session was concluded with a moderated question and answer session.

Cardiology

Concurrently, a session in Cardiology was underway. The Chair of the session was Professor Imran Saeed, MBBS, FCPS, (Professor of Cardiology & Head of Department, Cardiology, Rawalpindi Medical University), and co-chairs were Professor Akhtar Ali Bandesha, MBBS, FCPS (Associate Professor of Cardiology & Chairman Department of Cardiology, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University(SZABMU), Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad) and Dr. Arshed Quyyumi, MD, FRCP, FACC (USA). The session was moderated by Dr. Ali Raza Kazmi, MBBS, FESC, MSC (Director General, IBGE, Dyp. Director Medical Services, Senior Medical Officer, KRL Hospital, Pakistan).

Professor Imran Saeed began the session by presenting a lecture on Monitoring High Blood Pressure; New approach. Next, Professor Akhtar Ali Bandesha presented on Complex Coronary interventions current perspective and experience in Pakistan.

Dr. Nusrat Majeed Ara, MBBS, FCPS (Pakistan) presented on Ischemic Heart Disease in Women, followed by Professor Shahbaz Qureshi, MBBS, MD (USA), MCPS (Medicine), D. CARD., DMedSci (Cardiology)

FASNC, FCCP, FACP, FASIM, FAHA, FACC, FNAMS, FASE,, FPAMS, FSCAI, FESC, FAPSIC, FIACS. F.R.C.P. (Ireland), F.R.C.P. (Glasgow), F.R.C.P. (Edinburgh), F.R.C.P. (London) (Pakistan), who presented on Management of heart failure: State of the art! Finally, Dr. Jaffery Syed, MD, Med, FRCPC (Canada), presented a lecture on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in 2020: an overview of current approaches and emerging evidence.

The session's presentations were followed by a question and answer session.

Hematology and Oncology

A session on hematology and oncology began the second set of scientific sessions of the day.

The session was chaired by Prof. Mulazim Hussain Bukhari, MBBS, DCP, MPhil, FCPS, PhD, CHPE, Post Doc (Vice Chancellor, Sadiq International University, Pakistan), and co-chaired by Dr. Nafeesa Fatima, MBBS, MPhil(Hematology), PhD (HematoOncology) (PIMS, Islamabad and Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan) and Dr. Nasir Bukhari, MBBS, MD (Pakistan). The session was moderated by Dr. Farwa Batool, MBBS, MPhil (Associate Professor & Head of Department of Pathology, Faisalabad Medical University, Pakistan).

Dr. Nafeesa Fatima began the program by presenting on Thallassemia in Pakistan, followed by a presentation by Dr. Nasir Bukhari, on Stem Cell Hematology. Major General Pervez Ahmad, AFPGMI, CPSP, CMH (Consultant Hematologist & Director Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan) presented on Current Status: Bone Marrow Transplant in Pakistan, followed by an engaging presentation by Prof. Mulazim Hussain Bukhari on The Future of Cancer's a Hope: The Role of Regenerative Medicine and Replacement Therapy.

The session was followed by a question and answer session.

Dermatology

Concurrently, Dr. Farwa Nasir was moderating a session on dermatology. The chair of the session was Prof. Atif Kazmi, MBBS, MD (HoD Dermatology, Dean IPMS, University of Lahore, Pakistan), co-chaired by Brig. Dilawar Rizvi, MBBS, FCPS, FRCP (Edin) (Consultant Dermatologist, Shaheen Health Plus Clinics Saddar Rawalpindi, Pakistan). First, Dr, Atif Kazmi, presented on Fronto-Orbotal Advancement and calvarial remodelling for craniosyntosis, followed by a presentation by Brig. Dilawar Rizvi on Management of Basal Cell Carcinoma. The session was concluded by an informative question and answer session.

Cardiac Surgery

After breaking for prayer and lunch, the third session began, with a special session on cardiac surgery moderated by Dr. Abid Jawad. The session was chaired by Prof. Ajmal Naqvi, FRCS, FRCS (Cardiac Surgery) of Pakistan and co-chaired by Dr. Mumtaz Anwar Shah, MBBS, MRCS, FCPS (Pakistan).

The session began with a presentation by Professor Ajmal Naqvi on the Outcome of Off Pump and On Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in patients with End Stage Renal Disease followed by a presentation by Dr. Mumtaz Anwar Shah on The Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in Pakistan. The session closed with a question and answer session.

General Surgery

Following the Cardiac Surgery session was a session on General Surgery moderated by Dr. Kamran Abbas of Pakistan. Professor Muhammad Arshad Cheema, MBBS, FRCS (Director UoL Cancer Center, Chairman Department of Surgery, University of Lahore, Pakistan) co-chaired the presentation, and Brig. Abrar Zaidi, MBBS, FCPS (Consultant General Surgeon & Associate Professor of Surgery, Fauji Foundation Hospital & Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, Pakistan) co-chaired. The session began with a presentation by Prof. Muhammad Arshad Cheema on A 'quick fix' for fungating, bleeding, smelling locally advanced Carcinoma Breast. The presentation was followed by a presentation on the Metabolic impact of Bariatric Surgery/Surgical Treatment of Diabetes by Dr. Imran Abbas, MD, FMIS, FACS, DIBS, MASMBS (Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgeon, Iranian Hospital Alwasl Road, UAE).

Finally, Brig. Abrar Zaidi presented on the Value of Laparostomy & Staged Closure in Abdominal Injuries.The session closed with a question and answer session.

Pediatric Medicine

A session on Pediatric Medicine was chaired by Prof. Agha Ali Shabbir, MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, CMT (HoD of Pediatrics Department, Post Graduate Medical Institute Ameer U Din Medical College Lahore General Hospital, Pakistan) and co-chaired by Prof. Saima Ali Toori (Pakistan) and Prof. Saima Batool, MBBS, FCPS(Pediatrics), MME(UOL) (Professor of Pediatrics, UCMD, University of Lahore, Pakistan). To begin the session, Professor Agha Shabbir presented on the Impact of digital media on psycho social development of children. Next Dr. Saima Batool presented A systematic review on incidence and prevalence of asthma, followed by a presentation by Dr. Shahzad Haider, MBBS, MRCPCH, FRCPCH (Pakistan) on the Quality of Life in Children with epilepsy in Pakistan. Finally, Dr. Sobia Qamar, MBBS, FCPS(Assistant Professor, Pediatric Medicine, The Children's Hospital & ICH Lahore, Pakistan) presented on the Clinical and Immunological profile of childhood systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The presentations concluded with a question and answer session moderated by Dr. Ali Raza of Pakistan.

Psychiatry

The session on Psychiatry was chaired by Prof. Sultan Shah, MD (Pakistan) and co-chaired by Dr. Mowaddat Rana, MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, DCPS-HPE, MCPS-HPE,D-CBT(Oxford), MRCPsych(UK), FRCPsych(UK). The session was moderated by Col. Dr. Sajjad Naqvi, MBBS, MCPS, FCPS (Pakistan).

Col. Sajjad Naqvi presented on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, followed by a presentation on First Episode Psychosis: A Way Forward, by Prof. Sultan Shah. Finally, Dr. Mowaddat Rana delivered his lecture and the panel concluded the session with a question and answer period.

Gastroenterology II

In the second session on Gastroenterology, Prof. Asif Naqvi, MBBS, FRCP (Dean, Prof. of Medicine, Trustee and Academic Director, CMPC, Pakistan) chaired the session alongside co-chairs Prof. Aftab Mohsin, MBBS, FCPS, FRCP (Pakistan) and Dr. Syed Saeed P. Bokhari, MD, FACG, AGAF, FASGE (Gastroeneterologist, Mercy Health Rockford, IL, USA).

First, Dr. Najmul Hassan Shah, MBBS, MRCP, FCPS (Gen Med), FCPS (Gasteroenterology) (Pakistan) presented on Liver Transplant, Current status in Pakistan, followed by a presentation on Endoscopy in Obesity by Dr. S. Faisal Jafri, MD, AGAF, FACG, FASGE (Director of GI Oncology, Sarah Canon Cancer Center, USA).

To conclude the session, Dr. Altaf Baqir, M.B.B.S. , MCPS. (Family Medicine), FCPS (Medicine), FCPS (Gastroenterology) (Pakistan) moderated a question and answer session.

Urology

In a special session on urology, Professor Saleem Jaferi chaired the session alongside co-chair Prof. Shahzad Anwar, MBBS, FCPS (HoD and Professor of Urology, SIMS SERVICES Hospital Lahore, Pakistan).

First, Dr. Liaqat Toori, FCPS (Additional Director Academics, Associate Professor, Urology Institute of Kidney Diseases, Hayatabad, Peshawar, Pakistan) lectured on Rationalizing the management of staghorn renal stones, followed by Prof. Shahzad Anwar, who presented his lecture: To compare the outcome of intralesional injection of verapamil versus 15% topical verapamil cream for the management of patients presenting with Peyronie’s disease.

Dr. Abbas Ghazanfar, MBBS, MRCS, FHEA, FCPS, FEBS, FRCS, FACS (Clinical Speciality Lead Renal and Transplant Surgery / Consultant Transplant Surgeon & Honorary Senior Lecturer, St.. George's Healthcare NHS Trust & St. George's University of London, UK) presented on Dual kidney transplantation: maximising the utilisation of deceased organs, followed by Dr. Khizer Hayat Gondal, MBBS, FCPS (Pakistan), who presented on Role of interposition of various tissues in the management of urinary fistulas.

Moderators Dr. Asad Ali Shah, MBBS, MS(Urol), CMT(UHS) (Associate Professor, Dept. Of Urology and Renal Transplantation Services institute of medical sciences/Services hospital Lahore, Pakistan) and Dr. Fazal Abbas (Pakistan) concluded the session with a question and answer period.

Neurology

The chair of the session was Prof. Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD (Invited) (Vice Chancellor, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan), co-chaired by Prof. Atif Mahmood Kazmi, FCPS (General Surgery), FCPS (Neurosurgery) (Head of Department of Neurosurgery, Professor of Neurosurgery FUMC, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Pakistan).

First, Dr, Atif Kazmi, presented on Fronto-Orbotal Advancement and Calvarial Remodelling for Craniosyntosis, followed by a presentation by Lt Col Dr. Khurshid Ali Bangash, MCPS, FCPS (General Surgery), FCPS (Neurosurgery) (Pakistan) on Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for Spinal Cord Injury. The session was concluded by a question and answer session moderated by Dr. Alvina Kazmi, MBBS (Pakistan).

Keynote and Luncheon:

Dr. Zulfiqar Kazmi – Global Violence: Crisis and Hope

Dr. Zulfiqar Kazmi, Executive Director of Commongrounds delivered a special Luncheon Address on Global Violence: Crisis and Hope, before introducing Hon. Minister Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, presenting the Keynote Lunch Address on December 29th at Serena Hotel, Islamabad.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting: Honorable Minister Dr. Firous Ashiq Awan

Hon. Minister Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, presented the Keynote Lunch Address. Dr. Awan spoke at length about the need for leadership to be committed to the cause of humanity. She referred to to the health challenges of infant and mother mortality rate, growing hepatitis, stunting growth etc. being faced by the citizens, Firdous Ashiq Awan also reiterated that the government is committed to supporting organizations such as IMI “The policy makers have to be hand in glove with implementers to accomplish this task", she commented. The honorable minister concluded that the private organisations and overseas doctors would be provided a conducive working environment to protect lives of poor suffering from the chronic diseases and such collaborations would be imperative to effectively implement the new health reforms across the country.

Dental Wing:

The dental agenda of the conference in Islamadbad was equally robust and coordinated by Col. Iffat Batool, Principal of Dental Section, Shareef Medcial and Dental College. The session was moderated by Dr. Sadia Nisar, Head of Department of Orthodontics, Bacha Medical College, Mardan.

Operative Dentistry

This session was chaired by Dr. Ansar Masood, Dean of Dentistry, Executive Director PIMS, Islamabad. It was started with a comprehensive lecture by Dr Nasir Saleem, HOD Operative Dentistry, CMH Medical College Lahore. Dr. Nisar discussed Posterior Restorative Solutions. It was followed by Associate Prof. Dr. Adil Shahnawaz from Abbottabad who spoke about the application of Core concepts to make Endodontic practice predictable. The second session concluded with a talk on Resin Infiltration by Dr. Zara Nensey, Pediatric Dentist from Florida, USA.

Prosthodontics

This session was chaired by Dr. Amjad Masood, Dean Margalla College of Dentistry and Dr. Ulfat Basheer, Principal Islamic International College, started with the talk of Dr. Saad Asad, renowned Orthodontist from Islamabad. He spoke about Assessment of treatment outcomes. This was followed by an informative lecture regarding management of cleft lip palate patients by Dr. Iffat Batool. The last lecture of this session was presented by Dr. Hina Zafar from the Institute of Dentistry, CMH Medical College Lahore. She talked about the Prosthodontic aspect of restoration of a smile.

Oral Surgery

The Oral surgery session comprised of experts including Dr. Adnan Aslam, HOD, Maxillofacial Surgery, Margalla Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad who talked about Aesthetic Maxillofacial Surgery. He was followed by Brig. Dr. Asad Abbas who kept the audience involved by his discussion on Dentigerous Cysts. The keynote lecture on Soft Tissue Laser was delivered by Dr. Arshad Malik, Principal HBS Medical and Dental College Islamabad. This remarkable session of knowledge was chaired by Dr. Arshad Malik and Brig. Dr Asaad Abbas.

Pharmaceutical Wing:

Health and Over the Counter Medicines: Nutraceuticals

The Pharmaceutical Wing Session of the day involved experts from the industry from across the country.

Presentations began with Mr. Fakhruddin Aamir (Pakistan), presenting on HOTC - Challenges and Regulatory Perspective, followed by Dr. Sarmad Maqbool (Pakistan) presenting on Medical Devices- Regulatory Perspective- An Update.

A panel of experts including Mr. Shoaib Hakeem (Pakistan) and Dr. Shehzad Khan (Pakistan) concluded the session with a question and answer session moderated by Mr. Yawar Abbas (Pakistan).

Special Session: Leadership in Medical Education

A special session on leadership in medical education rounded out the educational sessions of the second day of the conference.

Prof. Rehan Ahmad (Pakistan) chaired, alongside co-chairs Prof. Shahzad Anwar, MBBS, FCPS (Pakistan) and Prof. Junaid Sarfraz.

To begin the session, Prof. Rehan Ahmad presented on Faculty Development, followed by a presentation on Inhibitors of Curriculum by Prof. Mussarat ul Hassanain. Professor Shahzad Anwar, MBBS, FCPS (Pakistan) presented on Portfolio development for faculty.

Next Prof. Mulazim Hussain Bukhari, MBBS, DCP, MPhil, FCPS, PhD, CHPE, Post Doc (Pakistan) presented on Academic Leadership, followed by a presentation by Prof. Junaid Sarfraz (Pakistan) on Medical Ethics.

The session was concluded by an in-depth open discussion and question and answer session moderated by Professor Mulazim Hussain Bukhari.

Young Leaders Session:

USMLE

The highly-attended Young Leaders' Session kicked off with a highly-anticipated session on USMLE for medical students and recent graduates. The session was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Umar, MBBS, FCPS, FACG, AGAF, FRCP (London), FRCP (Glasg) (Pakistan). The session began with a presentation on the Introduction to USMLE and residency application in the US by Dr. Kamran Babar, MD, FACC (USA). Next, Dr. Shujayat Ali, MD (USA) presented a Deep Dive into the process of US Residency application. Next, Dr. Syed Wajih Rizvi, MD, FACDS (USA) presented on Imamia Medics International's NEST-1 Program, which provides international medical graduates with clinical experience in the United States.

The session was moderated by Dr. Shabbir Bokhari, MD, FACC, FSCAI (USA)

PLAB

Following the USMLE Session was a session which outlined the road to becoming a doctor in the UK . The PLAB Session was kicked off by a presentation by Dr Husain Raza (UK) who had an engaging presentation of Doctors’ Road to the UK, PLAB and training. He was followed by Dr. Mudassar Ahmad MBS, MRCS, FRCS (Tr & Ortho) (UK) who outlined the PLAB & Assistance by Medics International UK. The session was then concluded by Dr. Husain Raza who once again took the podium to educate the audience on Medical Education opportunities in Europe and how one can take advantage of those opportunities. The session ended with a robust question and answer session.

Meet the Mentors

This Young Leaders networking session, a distinguished section of the Medics International conference featured one to one conversation of participants with delegates of the organization, Ms Sakina Rizvi, Dr Dilbar A. Saeed and Dr Sumaiya Hasan. During this networking hour students were informed about the activities of IMI global and IMI Pakistan. It highlighted activities of IMI related to career guidance, workshops, career guidance sessions, school outreach programs. Students were encouraged to philanthropic ideas and join the humanitarian work as volunteers. Participants also showed keen interest in the organization's work related to disaster management and leadership programs and pledged to participate in future programs.

Career Options for Dental Students

This session was held as a part of the career guidance series during the conference. It consisted of a panel of experts including Dr Wasi Haider, a private practitioner from UK, Dr Asad Sadiq and Dr Zara Nensey from USA and senior dental professionals from Pakistan including Dr Tanveer Hussain, a member of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and Dr, Arshad Malik

To view full conference proceedings, click here.