MIRPUR (AJK), (Parliament Times) : The day-long first-ever Pioneer Robotic Surgery Workshop in Azad Jammu & Kashmir successfully concluded at Divisional Headquarters Teaching Hospital/Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College, here late Monday, it was officially stated on Tuesday
The event, first of its own kind in the Meducal field was organized by the *Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant* under the umbrella of the *Kashmir Institute of Minimal Invasive Surgery (KIMIS), Medical Superintendent Dr Amir Aziz of the Divisional Teaching Hospital told this Correspondent here on Tuesday.
Elaborating the salient features of the event, Dr. Aziz continued that the visionary initiative was conceived seven years ago and announced four years back, materialised under the leadership of world-renowned robotic surgeons *Prof. Dr. Mateen Sharif, Prof. Dr. Shamim Khan, Prof. Dr. Jamil Ahmad Gorsi,and Prof.Dr.Salma Noor*, through the dynamic coordination and guidance of *Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Raja,Head of Department, Urology & Kidney Transplant, DivHQTH Mirpur AJK.
The workshop featured a comprehensive scientific session, including a *case presentation* by House Officer of the Urology Department and a *live robotic surgery* demonstration.
The *master trainer, Prof. Dr. Mateen Sharif* performed a successful *robotic nephrectomy for a congenital right-sided non-functional kidney* in a 40-year-old female patient from a remote area of AJK.
The panel of experts included: Prof. Dr. Shamim A. Khan, World-Renowned Robotic Urological Surgeon*
*Prof. Dr. Syed Tanseer Asghar, Consultant General, Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgeon,Director Global Laparoscopy & Robotics*
*Prof. Dr. Jamil A.Gorsi, Consultant Robotic Colorectal Surgeon,Northampton General Hospital, England(Virtual Faculty)*
*Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sana Sharafat, the First Lady Vascular Surgeon of Pakistan*
The scientific session was moderated by *Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gohar Latif Kalas (General & Laparoscopic Surgeon)* and *Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ijaz Ahmad Raja (HoD ENT).
An interactive discussion was held on the advantages of robotic surgery and its excellent patient outcomes.
The *OR team, lead by Prof. Dr. Mateen Sharif (Chief Master Trainer) included Dr. Javed Burki, renowned robotic surgeon and Assistant Professor Urology,course coordinator Dr Ammar Bashir Ch.
The local expert faculty included:
Prof. Dr. Zardad Khan, HoD Surgery,
Prof. Dr. Tanveer Sadiq Ch, Head Surgical Unit II*
Dr. Ahmad Naeem Kiani, Assistant Professor Surgery.
Delegates and senior urologists from across AJK and Pakistan attended, including
*Dr. Shahzad Ahmad, Dr. Ansar Malik (Kotli), Dr. Ihsan Haq (CMH Rawalakot), Dr. Noman (MIMC), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asad Ahmad (Colorectal Surgeon), Dr. Kiran and General Surgeon Dr. Aiman Ikram*
Faculty and HoDs from multiple departments actively participated and witnessed the live robotic procedure, include Prof. Dr. Tariq Masood (HoD Medicine), Dr. Jahangir Anjum (Assoc. Prof. Medicine), Dr. Shazia Yousaf Gohar (Asst. Prof. Medicine), Prof. Dr. Shazia Ashfaq (HoD Gynae/Obs), Dr. Farzana Sabir (Assoc. Prof. Gynae/Obs), Dr. Mubashra Ijaz (Asst. Prof. Gynae/Obs), Prof. Dr. Waseem Ahmad Khan (HoD Ophthalmology), Prof. Dr. Saba Haider Tarar (HoD Paediatrics), and Dr. Majeed Khan (HoD Radiology).
The event was also graced by the *Medical Superintendent DivHQTH Mirpur, Dr. Amir Aziz* who inaugurated the session, commending the Department of Urology for organizing such a landmark event and ensuring his continued support for future initiatives.
The *Chief Guest, Secretary Health AJK Brig. Amir Raza Tippu*, and *Guest of Honour, Principal Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College Prof. Dr. Faisal Bashir* lauded the organizing team.
In his address,the Chief Guest Brig. Tippu. appreciated *Prof. Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Raja Chairman Organizing Committee & Course Director and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ammar Bashir Ch Course Coordinator* for their outstanding efforts. He also extended commendation to the master trainers and expert faculty, including *Prof. Dr. Mateen Sharif, Prof. Dr. Shamim Khan, Prof. Dr. Javed Burki, Prof. Dr. Syed Tanseer Asghar, Prof. Dr. Jamil A. Gorsi (virtual panellist) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sana Sharafat.
He further acknowledged the support of *Prof. Dr. Faisal Bashir Principal MBBSMC and Dr. Amir Aziz MS DivHQTH, in making the event a resounding success, and pledged his full cooperation in advancing the mission of *Kashmir Institute of Minimal invasive surgery KIMIS and the Kashmir Institute of Urology and Transplant (KIUT).
Notable attendees included *Dr. Fida Hussain DHO Mirpur, Dr. Maria Zulfiqar Deputy MS, Dr. Ghazanfar Shahzad MS New City Teaching Hospital, and Dr. Awais Zahid Additional MS.
Following the live surgery, young surgeons and residents participated in a hands-on simulation session to experience robotic console operation and workflow.
Representatives from the *robotic corporate sector, Mr. Abdul Rehman and Mr. Adnan* was present and offered technical collaboration and training opportunities to support the capacity building of young surgeons in robotic technology.
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of shields and certificates among master trainers, expert faculty, and participants, followed by a scrumptious lunch.
The *Senior Registrar Surgery Dr Rizwana Riaz* and
PGR Urology Dr Ali Zahid, along with House Surgeons Dr Kashir* ,Dr Basit,Dr Hammad,Dr Ahad,Dr Najaf,Dr Shehraz , remained very active in the arrangements of the workshop.
While *HiQ Pharma* also played an important role in sponsoring the events.
Prof Dr Nadeem Ahmad HoD Anaesthesiology and Dr Iram Shahzadi Asstt.Prof.Anaesthsia* and OT team consisting of *Senior OTA Mr .Inam,Mr Subhani ,Mr.Mudasar* extended their full cooperation in smooth running of live robotic Ward Master *Mr Mubashar Hussain* provided logistical support.
