National Conference on Ophthalmology held at Gulf Medical College Ajman

Gulf Medical College Ajman has organized a National Conference on Ophthalmology on Thursday, the 30th of January 2003. This was organized jointly with the Ministry of Health and the Ophthalmology Society, Emirates Medical Association. His Excellency Sheikh Majid Bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Minister for Supreme Council Affairs and Chairman, Ruler’s Court Ajman inaugurated the conference and released the latest issue of the Health Journal , published by the college and an abstract book of the conference to mark the occasion. Prof. James Garrity, Chair and Professor of Ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA delivered the keynote address on the Use of monoclonal antibodies in Ophthalmology. Earlier, welcoming the delegates, Mr. Thumbay Moideen, President of the college, said that this was one of the prestigious scientific events that was held this year at our college. We are grateful to the Ministry of Health and the Emirates Medical Association for their support, he added. He thanked the rulers and the ministry for their constant encouragement in all the endeavors.

About 250 delegates from the UAE participated in the conference. Dr. Sunita Agarwal, delivered an invited guest lecture on Lasers in Ophthalmology. Leading experts like Dr. Anwar Sajwani, Dr. K.R.Satish, Dr. Bushra Ali Mustafa Ali, Dr. Abdul Razzak Samarrai, Dr. Hassan Sabry, Dr. Millicent Grim, and Dr. K.S.Chhabra delivered talks on various topics related to Ophthalmology such as Overview of the management of Diabetic retinopathy, Management of Epidemic Kerato Conjunctivitis, Intermittent Exotropia, Management of Ocular trauma, Injuries to eyelids and the orbit, Refractive surgery for Myopia, Hyperopia & Astigmatism, Recent trends in the management of Optic Neuritis, Blunt Injuries to Eyes (especially Angle recession in Glaucoma)and the Current trends in the management of Glaucoma.

The main aim of organizing such regular events is to create a platform for health care professionals and scientists in addressing various impending health issues facing the world in general and the Gulf countries in particular. This will also enhance contact amongst the students, faculty and practicing doctors and facilitate professional interaction in a continuing learning experience, said Dr. Rangaswami, Dean of the college.

The Conference Secretariat was set up at the Gulf Medical College two years ago with a mission to organize various conferences, seminars and symposia that highlight the locally relevant topics. Our aim is to complement the efforts of the Ministry of Health, Department of Health and Medical Services and Emirates Medical Association, and largely we have succeeded in our attempts. It is one of the most proactive bodies, engaged in organizing CME/CPD programmes in the UAE, a fact that is acknowledged by the officials from the Ministry and the EMA.

The conference secretariat has entered into a tie-up with renowned international institutions such as Mayo Clinic USA, to organize joint CME programmes. We are working towards getting our programmes accredited by local and international organizations for the benefit of the professionals who attend these conferences, said Mr. Moideen. 

Apart from organizing Continuing Medical Education programmes, Community Health Programmes and Health Camps at GMC Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman, the conference secretariat publishes the quarterly Health magazine. As part of its series of scientific events lined up for this academic year, the Conference Secretariat will be organizing an workshop on FESS for ENT specialists on the 20th and 21st of February 2003 at the college.