KARACHI, March 1: Federal Health Minister Naseer Khan will inaugurate the 43rd Annual Medical Symposium of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre on March 7.

During a press conference here on Wednesday, JPMC Acting Director Prof Mussarat Hussain said that the three-day moot with the theme “Disaster Management” would be attended by more than 1,000 guests from all over the country.

Prof Mussarat Hussain, accompanied by Dr Tariq Rafiq and Dr Nadeem Rizvi, said that major emphasis of the symposium was to share original research work undertaken at the postgraduate institute and compare it with international studies.

The formal inauguration session of the symposium would be followed by a plenary session focussed at disaster management to be chaired by Federal Health Secretary Syed Awar Mehmood.

Experts with first-hand experience of handling earthquake victims immediately after the mishap have been specifically invited for the session to share their experience and make their respective contribution in helping local medical community develop a fool-proof disaster management strategy at all levels.

The deliberations on the occasion will strongly reflect partnership between government institutions and non-government organizations that emerged as a hallmark in the efforts made to face the earthquake challenge.

Dr Nadeem Rizvi said that the JPMC had set the precedence of organizing multi-disciplinary symposium since 1962 had emerged to be the largest attended moot by Pakistani medical professionals from every nook and corner of the country.

“Around 120 papers will be presented at the scientific sessions being held on March 8 and 9 respectively,” he said adding that there will also be 47 invited talks during these two days.

The pre-symposium workshops will be held from March 4 to 6. These series of workshops will include “Primary Trauma Care” for junior physicians, surgeons as well as postgraduate students. —APP