RMU holds 13th basic colonoscopy workshop

Rawalpindi : Rawalpindi Medical University, Centre for Liver and Digestive Diseases (CLD) organised a two-day basic and advance Colonoscopy Workshop at the CLD here at Holy Family Hospital in town in collaboration with Society of Therapeutic Endoscopy Pakistan (STEP) and Pakistan Academic Group of Health Educators (PAGHE) UK.

Vice Chancellor at RMU Professor Muhammad Umar, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and gastroenterologist and hepatologist Professor Bushra Khaar chaired the workshop while key note lecture was delivered by Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad Consultant gastroenterologist from UK on Basic Skills of Colonoscopy.

As many as 20 participants who are qualified gastroenterologists, physicians and postgraduate trainees from South and Central Punjab, AJK, KPK, Gilgit, Baltistan and FATA attended the hands on workshop. The Director of the course were Professor Umar and Professor Bushra while Co-Directors of course were Dr. Zahid Mahmood Minhas, Dr. Tanveer Hussain and Dr. Tayyab Saeed Akhter.

Dr. Ishfaq demonstrated the state of the art procedures to all participants while delivered lecture on Techniques of Colonoscopy and handling different loops during the colonoscopy procedure.

Dr. Amjad Ali consultant from UK demonstrated live colonoscopy in front of all participants and described the techniques. Dr. Tayyab Saeed Akhter, consultant gastroenterologist from Pakistan gave lecture on disinfection of endoscopes.

The participants who are performing these procedures in their relevant hospitals and want to improve their skills were given chance of hands on training under supervision of experts while the participants who were not performing procedures were given hands on training on simulator. The simulator used for training is the state of the art equipment which enables the trainee to understand true anatomy and sensitivity of the procedures. It gives same response of pain as a patient in real life can feel, said Dr. Minhas while talking to ‘The News’ on Wednesday. he added through the simulator, the trainees can learn the procedure easily and can understand how to handle a real patient.

Talking to participants of the workshop, Professor Muhammad Umar said the Society of Therapeutic Endoscopy Pakistan and Rawalpindi Medical University are determined to enhance the skills and knowledge of gastroenterologists and hepatologists across the country and for the purpose, special emphasis has been given on latest invasive techniques and procedures.

He also appreciated the efforts of Centre for Liver and Digestive Diseases (CLD) team for preparation and conduction of this workshop successfully.