From April 5th to April 7th, 2012, Imamia Medics International (IMI) hosted its 5th International Conference in collaboration with Kufa University in Najaf, Iraq. The theme of the conference was Advancement through Learning and Integration (ALI), which combined IMI’s commitments to enhancing health, education, capacity building, economic empowerment and the integration of community and faith-based approaches to health. This pivotal 5th IMI International Conference attracted collaboration by universities and attendees from a variety of backgrounds including religious scholars, government officials, health professionals, intellectuals, scholars, academics and NGO workers.
The Opening session was held in the Presidential Hall at the University of Kufa. His Excellency, Adnan Al Zurufi welcomed the more than 500 delegates on behalf of the Najaf Governate. The President of Kufa University, Dr. Aqeel Yaseen, and Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Saeed Abu Zahra also addressed the gathering and emphasized the development of the community through integrated science based approaches, noting the unique collaborating between their institution and IMI in this regard.
The Conference sessions covered a wide range of topics including anesthesiology, cardiology, dentistry, diabetes, disaster management, gastroenterology, health administration, hepatology, hypertension, Islamic medical ethics, mental health, natural remedies, nephrology, nuclear medicine, nutrition, oncology, pharmacology, radiology, reconstructive surgery, research, and urology. During the course of the conference, particular specialty driven workshops were also scheduled such as the endoscopy workshop at the GIT Center in Najaf. Sessions on integrating spirituality and social good were also included in the conference program as well as updates from IMI’s many programs and projects in the brainstorming session.
The final day of the conference was a special program held in Karbala within the auspicious conference space at the Haram of Imam Hussain. The day covered regional health issues with a review of health services, capacity and the future of health care in Iraq and around the world. A final presentation on the past, present and future of IMI was also delivered to close out the historic International Conference.
It was an excellent conference well planned, presented, and well attended. If individually traveling we may have never enjoyed the kind of reception the participants received throughout their stay in Iran.
I want to thank you all for giving me such a great opportunity to be a part of your team (in Haiti). It was a unique experience and I really enjoyed working with you all.
Thank you very much for the wonderful work you do. I have seen it first hand in Karbala during the Arbaeen camps and my son was fortunate to participate in two of the missions. I have made a donation today.
If InshAllah, I secure a residency in the upcoming match, I will owe the organizers and the speakers at the seminar more than they will take credit for.
IMI has been my outlet for philanthropic work since before I entered into high school. It is through IMI that I see my efforts, here in New Jersey, manifest into something much greater around the world. IMI has helped me realize that ambition alone is not enough to change the world; in order to achieve the changes we wish to see in this world we require ambition, vision, and most importantly execution. That is why I have joined IMI, so that my ambition and vision can meet their execution.