STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Surgeons Association of Jammu (SAJ) is set to host its inaugural three-day national surgical conference, SAJCON-2024, from November 14 to 16, 2024, in collaboration with the Department of Surgery, GMC Jammu and ASCOMS Jammu.
The conference, which aims to enhance surgical knowledge and practice, will bring together over 30 esteemed faculty members and around 300 delegates from across the country.
Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal and Dean, Government Medical College Jammu, expressed pride in hosting the event, emphasizing that the conference would cover a wide array of topics including oncology, laparoscopic and invasive surgeries, robotics, and the latest surgical techniques.
“We are honored to host some of the best surgical minds in the country, and this conference will provide a unique opportunity for our students and faculty to interact and exchange knowledge with these experts,” Dr Gupta told reporters here on Tuesday.
The conference, themed “Stepping towards Surgical Excellence,” will feature hands-on workshops, live surgeries, paper presentations, and poster sessions.
On the opening day, November 14, a live operative workshop will be held in GMC Jammu’s state-of-the-art operation theatres, where renowned surgeons from across India will collaborate with local faculty to perform surgeries.
These procedures will be broadcasted to an audience of approximately 1,000 students, providing invaluable learning opportunities for postgraduate students (PGs) and surgical professionals.
Dr Ratnakar Sharma, Head of the Department of Surgery, GMC Jammu and Chairperson of the Surgeons Association of Jammu, noted that the idea for this conference emerged in January 2024, following the formation of the SAJ.
He explained that the establishment of this association aims to provide local PGs with more accessible opportunities to present research, attend CMEs, and engage in academic discussions, thus reducing the need for students to travel outside Jammu for such events.
“This conference marks a major milestone for our association and the medical community in Jammu,” Dr Sharma said.
According to Dr Sharma, the conference will also feature presentations by distinguished guest faculties and local experts on November 15 and 16.
On November 16, he said, a special session will be dedicated to the presentation of papers and posters by PGs and senior residents, which are essential for their academic progression and eligibility for examinations.
“SAJCON-2024 has been accredited by the State Medical Council, offering 12 credit points for faculty members. These points are crucial for their professional development and career advancement,” he said.
Dr Zahur Hussain, Organizing Secretary of the conference, highlighted the significance of the event, noting that it represents the first of many such gatherings planned for the future.
“We aim to make this an annual event, fostering continuous learning and collaboration among medical professionals in Jammu and beyond,” Dr Hussain stated.
The conference is expected to leave a lasting impact on the surgical community, not just in Jammu, but across the country.
According to Dr Ratnakar Sharma, the future editions of the conference will rotate among different institutions, further strengthening the ties between surgical professionals in the region.
