Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) in collaboration with House of Charity and Children’s Fund International organized a Free Plastic Surgery Camp from 26th of November till December 2, 2011 at its Ojha Campus.
The aim of the Camp was to serve the poor patients of society focusing on congenital anomalies including cleft lip and palate and burn patients suffering contractures after acid burn or otherwise.
During the Camp, team of international plastic surgeons led by world renowned plastic Surgeon, Prof. Dr. Joseph Agris along with Dow University Plastic Surgeons performed free surgeries of fifty patients. During the camp, an academic session was also held as part of the Workshop to discuss different plastic surgery cases at length and later operations are conducted according to the modern research in the methods of plastic surgery.
The Campus was formally started with the Inaugural Ceremony. It was attended by consultant plastic surgeon, anaesthetists, nurses, pharmacists faculty members of the University.
In the Inaugural Ceremony, Dr. Sagheer Ahmed, Health Minister Sindh in his address said that we often see the cases on victimization of women in our country. The crime of throwing acid on women is becoming more and more common and recurring day by day. The main cause of it is the absence of proper legislation on this subject. He assured to take the issue of acid burning as a part of legislation to prevent growing incidents of violence against women. He further said that legal action should be strengthen to avoid any unavoid situation. He stressed that a system is required to stop such heinous crimes in the country and stressed the need to have burn centre throughout Pakistan. About the Workshop, he said that it will provide a great opportunity of learning to young doctors who assisted senior surgeons in various surgeries.
In the Inaugural Session, Vice Chancellor-DUHS, Prof. Masood Hameed Khan sharing his views stressed on the issue of acid burning. He said that there are so many cases seen of acid burning in rural areas. In Pakistan, women have been campaigning for protective legislation, women’s shelters and hospitals with specialized burn wards. He stressed on taking the acid burn issue and gas strokes issue in the assembly for legislation. He informed that acid are free available in the market, therefore govt should take action against the easy sale of the acid.
Briefing the media about the Workshop, he said that the modern trends in the field of plastic surgery have got enormous promotion in the western countries because of the availability of the modern research and facilities and Pakistani doctors and patients can reap immense gains through benefiting from their know-ledge and practice.
He further said that there are so many patients on whom surgeries are being done are benefiting a lot from the Workshop. This is the reason that this workshop has become an extremely important activity at DUHS. The presence of a panel of foreign experts plays an important role in the success of the Workshop.
Dr. Joseph Agris, Plastic Surgeon from Boston in his address said that although acid burn cases account for only a fraction of overall cases of violence against Pakistani women, reports of them are alarmingly on the rise.The effects of acid attacks upon victim life have been destructive, physical damages undergone (some of them are crippled for life, despite numerous surgical interventions) they have to face social isolation and ostracism from their community and the psychological trauma is enormous and long-lasting as well. He stressed the need to control acid throwing.
Others who spoke on the occasion, includes, Ms. Hashmat Affendi, Director House of Charity, Dr. Foad Ali Moosa, Chief Organiser of theWorkshop, Prof. Muhammad Masroor, Principal-Dow International Medical College, Dr. Sadaf Saeed, Secretary Scientific Committee.
Earlier, Prof. Masood Hameed Khan along with Health Minister Dr. Sagheer Ahmed presented shield the speakers.