“NGM282 improves Liver Fibrosis and Histology in 12 Weeks in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis” was the presentation by Dr. Jalpa Devi on 15th August, 2020 from Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Haiderabad. It was an online session attended by as much as 600 people.
In this webinar on 26th July, 2020 on ‘Play your role in the elimination of hepatitis’, speakers discussed the role of primary care physician, Hepatologist, infection control personnel, NGOs, and government authorities in the hepatitis elimination efforts.
MODERATOR:
Dr. Faisal Waseem
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Department of Medicine, Agha Khan University, Karachi
SPEAKERS
Dr. Saleh Channa
Head Department of Gastroenterology & Medical Unit 2
GMMMC, Sukkur
Topic: Role of Primary Care Physician
Dr. Altaf Baqir
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Asad Nursery, Multan
Topic: Role of Hepatologist
Dr. Qazi Masroor
Professor of Medicine
Quaid-e-azam Medical College & Bahawal Victorial Hospital, Bahawalpur
Topic: Infection Control Personnel
Dr. Amjad Salamat
Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist,
Quaid-e-Azam International Hospital, Islamabad
Topic: NGO and Societies
Dr. Zahid Azam
Consultant Gastroenterologis
Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi
Topic: Government Authorities
PSSLD celebrated WORLD HEPATITIS DAY on 25th July, 2020 by organizing a webinar on HEPATITIS UPDATES by inviting renowned gastroenterologists and Hepatologists from all over Pakistan to deliver their valuable knowledge and experience on the hepatitis and how it can be eliminated by 2030 in Pakistan. A number of people took part in this interesting session and appreciated the contributions of each speaker and the PSSLD.
MODERATOR
Dr. Bakht Biland
Professor of Medicine, Peshawar Medical College
SPEAKERS
Dr. Zaigham Abbas
President of PSSLD, Prof. and Head of Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Ziauddin University Hospital, Clifton, Karachi
Topic: Epidemiology of Hepatitis in Pakistan
Dr. Sadik Memon
Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist,
Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad
Topic: Hepatitis Elimination Programs
Dr. Muzaffar Gill
Professor of Medicine,
Fazaia Medical College, Islamabad
Topic: Current Treatment Option for Hepatitis B and C
Dr. Ghisun-un-nabi Tayyab
Professor of Medicine & Gastroenterology,
Lahore General Hospital
Topic: Adverse Effects of Covid on Hepatitis Elimination
The theme of the 3rd webinar was ‘Don’t let COVID-19 undermine hepatitis elimination efforts’. The webinar was addressed by Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Dr. Muzaffar Gill, Dr. Ghias Un Nabi Tayyab, Dr. Sadik Memon, and Dr. Bakht Biland. Dr. Zaigham Abbas answer to the questions of lay public in a webinar in Urdu ‘Our liver, our responsibility’. Besides, Dr. Sadik Memon, and Dr. Qazi Masroor and other members of PSSLD organized mini-symposia in Hyderabad and Bahawalpur and other cities of Pakistan. Dr. Saeed Hamid and Dr. Zaigham Abbas participated in the international webinars to observe WHD.
Topic Speaker
Prevalence of hepatitis Zaigham Abbas
Risk factors for hepatitis Shaikh Bashir Ahmed
Diagnosis of hepatitis Shahid Rasool
Treatment of hepatitis B Adil Naseer
Treatment of hepatitis C Sharbat Khan
Complications of hepatitis Mohammad Salih
Screening to find the missing millions Masood Siddiq
Vaccination Amna Subhan
The speakers talked about risk factors, mother to child transmission, vaccination, medical complications caused by hepatitis and how they are treated, how screening can be carried out to identify the millions who have the virus but are yet to be diagnosed. “We need commitment and concerted action from the government instead of patchy responses. Covid-19 has further complicated the situation and the program for mass screening is likely to be delayed further”, speakers observed. They also urged the media to play their role in creating awareness about the disease. The webinar, which was broadcast live on social media, and well covered by electronic and print media also included questions from viewers, which the speakers answered following their presentations.
On 18th of July, PSSLD organized an event to analyze the current trends in the management of Hepatic Cellular Carcinoma (HCC). All the speakers including Prof. Zaigham Abbas, Prof. Wasim Jafri, Prof. Saeed Hamid and Prof. Peter R Galle discussed the issue profoundly and extensively. Prof. Zaigham Head of Department at Dr. Ziauddin University in Karachi and the governor of PSSLD discussed the surveillance for HCC. While Prof. Wasim Jafri discussed the management of HCC during covid-19 pandemic. Prof. Saeed Hamid argued over the Role of multi-disciplinary team in the management of HCC critically. Checkpoint inhibitors and Combination systemic therapy was the topic of Prof. Peter R Galle from
University Medical College in Germany.
Dr. Syed Ahsan Ali Darbari was the speaker on 4th of July, 2020. Re-bleeding and Mortality Risk are increased by ACLF but Reduced by Pre-emptive TIPS was the main topic of his presentation. This session was joined online by a majority of 500 people.
On 11th July, 2020 Dr. Michael P. Johnston hosted the session and discussed Randomized Clinical Trial: Standard of Care Versus Early Trans jugular Intrahepatic Porto-systemic Shunt (TIPSS) in Patients with Cirrhosis and esophageal Variceal Bleeding. Around 700 people from all over Pakistan joined this session.
Dr. Zaigham Abbas and Dr. Tariq Siddiqi provided details about the current situation of Hepatic Cellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Pakistan and what developments have taken place and the recommendations on how to eliminate this disease from Pakistan. It was conducted on 27th June, 2020. It was a great conference attended by the 1800 participants, reflecting the growing concern of experts in this chronic disease.
KAMRAN ALA BIRMINGHAM was the second host for the second PSSLD Journal Club on 20th June, 2020. More than 900 people joined this session.
Another series for PSSLD Journal Club began in the month of June after the first successful round of these discussions in the month of May. On 11th June, 2020, the first round was initiated by the speaker KEITH SIAU BIRMINGHAM. Around 800 participants became a part of this significant session.