Speech of Dr. Omar Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh for "The 13th International Pan Arab League of Dermatology Conference"
Omar bin Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh, MD
Speech of Dr. Omar Bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh for "The 13th International Pan Arab League of Dermatology Conference" which will be held at King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center, Dead Sea- Jordan on February 21-24, 2013
Dermatology in the Arab region is as old as history. We, as dermatologists, in our countries, have a great & historic responsibility towards the development and advancement of this specialization. Fortunately, many of our universities in the Arab world had undertaken the arduous task of training our medical staff, graduates and doctors to the highest levels. Additionally, more disciplines of dermatology and dermatologic surgery had enormously evolved to international standards. These advances gave our doctors Prestige and earned them the highest regard, socially.
Science, in recent years, had made great advances. This was paralleled by innovations in dermatology. The emergence of Nanomedicine had lead to tremendous advances in the fields of drug delivery and quantitation. Moreover, the introduction of biologically- based therapies had made the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis more amenable. The scientific progress of genetics, had paved the way for a new revolution in the management of genetically- based diseases. This is particularly exemplified by the use of stem cells research in the treatment of regenerative diseases, which had been difficult to treat in the past.
Despite all the tremendous advances in Scientific Research, and its achievements, we in the Arab world, are still mere recipients of these technological advances. Our status of "lagging behind" may be attributed to scarcity of resources which are ear marked for research and the lack of a well-targeted scientific research culture in our Arab countries. The advanced nations had invested in humans and education, training and scientific research. They had developed fully the economy, which is based on knowledge and targeted scientific research.
Conferences of Dermatology, which are regularly held in the Arab world, need to be coordinated with each other as well as with those of international institutions in order to reap the fruits of knowledge exchange. We must re-think and amend the many regulations that hinder our fellow Dermatologist from attending conferences in the Arab world. Those obstacles deprive them of communicating with their colleagues.
The era of explosive information technology has to be exploited fully by our Association of Dermatologists and Medical doctors as well. This calls for the adoption of “e governance" in order to facilitate constructive interaction within our area and with international institutions alike. This will eventually lead to rapid dissemination of knowledge between colleagues. Two attributes, in this regard, are of utmost importance; transparency and the elimination of bureaucratic practices.
I would like to emphasize my conviction that the only way for progress and the development of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in our Arab world is through effective communication between the dermatologic societies. Most importantly is the harmonious cooperation between the dermatologic societies in our region.
The road to success, calls urgently, upon the following:
- The development of well-thought infrastructures for our specialty in various institutions in the Arab world.
- Sincerity and conviction in our work and the belief in our endeavors.
- The establishment of well-organized training facilities, for our doctors, nurses and technicians.
- The generation of funding resources, in partnership with educational institutions, the governments or the private sector, in order to finance training, conferences or scientific research.
- The wise use of technology, as much as possible, in the establishment of e-governance in all aspects of communication.
Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Al-AlSheikh, M.D.
Associate Professor, College of Medicine, King Saud University
Secretary General of Pan Arab League of Dermatologists