Aymen Zaheer
RIYADH — The Pakistan Doctors Group, Riyadh (PDGR) organized an educational gathering for physicians at the Holiday Inn Riyadh Meydan, the 38th annual medical symposium). This year’s theme was ‘A Patient Centred Approach In High Risk Patients With Diabetes’, sponsored by MSD, the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world.
Dr. M. Nadeem Sheikh conducted the proceedings, beginning praising Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for his long standing support of Pakistan, especially at times of national crises, brought on by natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.
PDGR founder and lifetime chairman, Dr. Riaz Khawaja, holder of Pakistan’s highest civilian award — Sitara-e-Imtiaz, for his longstanding and tireless welfare activities in the service of the Pakistani Community, described how it all began in 1986. He said that the thrust had always been to enhance the professional and social relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom, adding “The seeds planted then are now bearing fruit.”
Both expert speakers were US-trained and highly experienced consultant endocrinologists — Dr. Syed Salman Ali of The Specialized Medical Centre and Hospital and Dr Abdulraof Almahfouz from The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. Their respective topics were hypertension and dyslipidaemia, which they presented in great depth.
Dr. Atif Bin Shafi, MSD diabetes medical advisor, reviewed recent cardiovascular safety trials on DPP-4i drugs, with particular emphasis on Januvia (Sitagliptin). He was supported by a strong corporate presence, headed by Dr. Adel Basandi, KSA director.
The Chief Guest was Dr. Moheeb Al Abdullah, senior consultant cardiologist, director of medical administration & assistant director for health affairs at The Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre. He fondly reflected on several decades of cooperation between both the governments and the peoples of the two brotherly Islamic nations.
He was particularly proud of the fact that postgraduate training in the Kingdom was now of such a high standard, that trained expatriates were returning to their countries of domicile to serve at the highest of levels and the great example is Dr. Irfan Bakshi, prof of cardiology in Pakistan.
Pakistan Ambassador Manzoor Ul Haq, patron in Chief of PDGR, applauded the healthcare professionals present. He felt they were model representatives of their motherland, enhancing the reputation in the host nation, while sincerely discharging their humanitarian duties. He thanked Dr. Inam, Riaz Khawaja, Asad Roomi and all other members of EB for their tremendous efforts.
Dr. Sohail Inam, PDGR president & senior consultant endocrinology & diabetes at The Prince Sultan Military Medical City delivered the closing remarks and vote of thanks. He made particular mention of Knowledge Core Training Centre and their preferred provider status for technical support. A fact acknowledged by Mian Shahbaz, head of their US section.
Distinguished guests were presented with plaques honoring their contributions.
