Yesterday evening, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences (SHAMS) held a Graduation Ceremony for the 1st batch of Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Diploma (2011), a diploma accredited by University of Montpellier (1), France.

 

During the ceremony, 31 Anesthetists from UAE, Oman, Qatar, Iran, Kenya, were honored at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai. Also, for the first time in the Middle East, Dubai Rashid Hospital has been certified by University of Montpellier (1) as a World Training Centre for Anesthesiology.

 

The certificate was delivered by Prof. Xavier Capdevila, Representative of Montpellier (1) University, Head of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Department at University Hospital of Montpellier University, France, and the Diploma’s Director, to Dr. Shawqi Khoury, CEO of Dubai Rashid Hospital, and Dr. Amer Al Sharif, Director of Healthcare Operation, DHA.

 

The ceremony was attended by Eric Geraud Tellme French Consul General in Dubai, Mirza Al Sayegh and Dr. Ahmed Al Hashimi the members of the Board of Trustees of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, Abdullah Bin Souqat, Executive Director of the Award, the award’s Scientific Committees’ members and a number of officials in Montpellier (1) University, UAE Ministry of Health, Dubai Health Authority and doctors.

 

After listening to the Holy Quran, Prof. Najuib Al Khaja, Secretary General of SHAMS, delivered a speech during which he conveyed the compliments of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and the Award’s Patron, to all attendees as well as HH congratulations to the graduates.

 

"Ever since its inception in 1999, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences has, with the full and constant support of its Patron Sheikh Hamdan (God Bless Him), set a number of clear goals in support of the medical sector in our great nation and abroad. These goals include honoring scientists and medical institutes, supporting scientific research, organizing and supporting scientific conventions, organizing training courses, and publishing a medical journal that serves the medical profession, to say nothing of the numerous medical initiatives that serve society and the medical profession, taking the award from the national to the international level. Let us also not forget its activities in genetics, including the world’s second largest Database for Hereditary Diseases", Al Khaja said.

 

"Thanks to the collaboration between Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences and Université Montpellier 1, today, thirty-one specialists will receive the Diploma in Regional Anesthesia from Montpellier University. Last summer, during our visit to Montpellier, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Award and the University to renew this collaboration through many other scientific events to be held this year, such as: Intensive Care & Perioperative Management, Pediatric Anesthesia, Biostatistics for Non-Statisticians, Clinical Research Methodology (Batch II) and Intensive Perioperative Mode Ventilation Course", he added.

 

Also, Al Khaja has expressed gratitude to all those who have endeavored to make this collaboration a success, especially Dr. Philippe Macaire, Dr. Mansour Nazri and Professor Xavier Capdevila of Université de Montpellier 1 and Professor Philippe Auge, President of the University.

 

Then, Dr. Mansour Nadhiri, Consultant at Anesthesia Department, Trauma Centre, Dubai Rashid Hospital and the Diploma’s Co-Director, delivered a speech in which he said that Anesthesia has evolved from just being an intraoperative care to a perioperative medicine. The Anesthesia Departments are also shifting from just being an excellent Centre to a Centre of excellence.

 

"We decided to go the same direction. To be a Centre of excellence you need to think of a triangle. Each angle is an essential part and without one of them this cannot be achieved", he said.

 

"First is being an excellent evidence based clinical service provider. The Anesthesia Department was and is an excellent Centre thanks to our predecessors starting from Dr. Amina Kazim and continued by Dr. Mahamed Berer", he said.

 

"Second is being an educational Centre. Today we are witnessing the most important and highest valued part of our educational programs after having other intensive courses during last two years", Dr. Mansour Nadhiri said.  

 

"Third is being a study and research Centre. Some studies are on the way and we are proud to announce today of conducting a unique study on interventional pain therapy using regional anesthesia and telemedicine. As these require multidisciplinary approach I would like to thank involved departments such as surgical, nursing and others for their cooperation", he added.

 

"The above cannot be achieved without having pillars and support to build the Center of Excellence there was a need of another essential triangle. The Rashid Hospital-Dubai Health Authority, HH Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Science and the University of Montpellier, France", he said.

 

Then, Dr. Phillippe Macaire Senior Consultant in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Rashid Hospital and a Co-Director of the Diploma delivered a speech in which he said that Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia is a specific field of Peri-Operative Medicine. It does not only anesthetize a part of the body enabling surgical procedures with fewer risks, but provides other proven and evidence based benefits.

 

"For several years now, all the meta-analysis has showed that postoperative pain control is better with Regional Anesthesia than with opioids. Pain-free peri-operative care is the patient’s basic right and its absence can seriously disrupt quality of life, increase morbidity and the length of stay in hospital. To avoid these, the most advanced techniques in continuous peripheral nerve blocks are now available", he said.

 

"Regional Anaesthesia also improves the postoperative rehabilitation, as well as the outcome of surgery", he added.

 

"Recent studies have shown that Regional Anaesthesia by using Regional Anesthesia and reducing the use of morphine for perioperative pain control is one factor that has been critical in reducing the recurrence among Cancer patients", he added.

 

"Specific training is needed for using Regional Anaesthesia techniques, particularly those performed under ultrasound guidance", he said.

 

"At Rashid Hospital Trauma Centre, an intensive educational program on the use of Regional Anaesthesia techniques has been in place since the beginning of 2010.The centre has been responsible for training more than 200 anaesthesiologists from all the Middle East, Europe and Asia. The program runs under the supervision of the Continuous Education Department of Dubai Health Authority", Dr. Phillippe Macaire said.

 

"The Foundation of HH Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences is in agreement with the University of Montpellier for the creation of the French Post Graduate Diploma in Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia in Dubai. Professor Xavier Capdevila and his team run the program. Professor Xavier Capdevila has significant expertise in the field, with more than 150 international articles on the subject published in the last 10 years", he said.

 

Dr. Phillippe Macaire mentioned to that the diploma is composed of 3 modules; Theorical part with 64 lectures, 30 % by a local faculty, 30 % by visiting professors and 40% by video conferences, 2 days of workshops on model, and phantoms Clinical part with 10 days of clinical attachment in accredited hospitals and Rashid Hospital is the only one in the Middle East.

 

Then, Prof. Xavier Capdevila, Representative of Montpellier (1) University, Head of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Department at University Hospital of Montpellier University, France, and the Diploma’s Director said: I would like to express our entire support for the fruitful cooperation we have developed with the Foundation of HH Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences concerning the post graduate Diploma named "Cours Supérieur d’Anesthésie et d’Analgésie Loco-Régionale".

 

"I would like to thank you for all very supportive energy you implement to allow that cooperation between Montpellier University, one of the most wellknown and oldest University of Medicine in the world and all efforts dedicated by the local and international faculty with a very high scientific level to improving the delivery of better anesthesiology and postoperative pain care to all UAE and boarding countries residents. That cooperation was of mutual benefit and served as an indication of continued interest in joint projects", he said.

 

"We have had in Dubaï last year among the most promising candidates for that diploma and it’s a pleasure to announce that forthcoming diplomas are in progress: Pediatric Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Perioperative Medicine and Biostatistics for Clinical Research", he said. 

 

"We would like to thank you so much for everything you both, members of the foundation and diploma’s faculty, have done for organizing that cooperative diploma. We are sure that the doctors who attended courses and workshops have a much better understanding of regional anesthesia and acute pain management but also are better equipped to go into the real world of perioperative medicine", he added.

 

Then, Prof. Al Khaja and Prof. Capdevila honored the outstanding graduates including Dr. Shaji Sainudeen, Dr. Aruna Godwin and Dr. Muammar S Abdulrahman.

 

Also, Prof. AL Khaja, Secretary General of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Makoum Award for Medical Sciences delivered souvenirs to the diploma’s director, Prof. Capdevilla, and co-directors including Dr. Mansour Nadhiri and Dr. Phillippe Macaire.

 

At the end of the Ceremony, Dr. Ahmed Al Hashimi, a member of SHAMS’ Board of Trustees and a Diploma’s Graduate delivered a speech, on behalf of the graduates, in which he said: "It is our pleasure and pride that the Diploma is under the umbrella of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, also we would like to present our thanks and appreciation to H. H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, Patron of the Award for all what he is offering to science and scientists through his noble awards as Medical, Educational, Best Practices international awards, and others", Dr. Al Hashimi said.

 

"And presenting our thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, including its Board of Trustees, General Secretariat, and all the staff for their support to the Diploma", he said.   

 

"Also, our deep thanks to University of Montpellier for supervising the Diploma’s scientific program and selecting the scientific materials and distinguished lecturers in France and UAE. This study will be reflected on physicians by improving their experience, scientific and practical skills", he added.