1st International PSOMP Conference - Oral Pathology an Emerging Specialty

 Karachi: The first International conference under the aegis of Pakistan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (PSOMP) was held at Ziauddin Hospital Karachi.

The conference attracted a huge response and people from all over Pakistan attended the event. The highlights of the conference included both international and national speakers.  The event started with the recitation from the Holy Quran followed by distinguished speakers including Prof. Dr. Mervyn Hosein, Dean Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Dr. Shahid Pervaiz, HOD pathology department, AKUH, Prof. Dr. Talat Mirza, Prof. of Pathology and Director Research. Dr Mervyn M. Hosein's presentation on 'Oral cancer disease burden and challenges' provided a lot of insight into OSF incidence in Pakistan.

The conference covered multiple topics including in-depth knowledge on progression of Head and neck cancer its epidemiology, etio-pathogenesis, molecular progression and latest advancements. Prof. Arshad Malik presented with trigeminal neuralgia and related oro-facial pain. Under graduate and post graduate poster competition was held which was won by FJDC and LCMD, 2^nd Position went to Ziauddin University and 3^rd position was grabbed by DIDC, DUHS.

Pakistan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (PSOMP) came into being in 2013 through the efforts of Dr. Nauman Rauf Khan and he is the chairman of the society. Executive council was constituted and members included Dr. Asifa Iqbal and Dr. Joharia Azhar from Lahore and Islamabad. Dr Nauman Khan nominated Prof. Dr. Arshad Malik as the First President of the council later regional councils were constituted including KPK, Federal, Punjab, Baluchistan and Sindh. Regional Council meetings and seminars were held annually. Karachi got the privileged to hold first international PSOMP conference at Ziauddin University (Clifton Campus) Karachi.

The event also witnessed central council elections and all five provincial presidents participated in the ballot. Dr. Saima Chaudhry from Punjab, Dr. Sultan Zeb from KPK, Dr. Nabiha Farashat from Baluchistan, Dr. Salik Rasool from Sindh and Dr. Beenish Zubair from federal council were the candidates for the post of central council President.

Dr. Sultan Zaib Khan president KP Council won after a tight competition with Dr Saima Chaudhry elected as the new president of the society. Society also awarded PhD faculty with honorary fellowship at the convocation to Prof. Arshad Malik, Dr. Sultan Zaib Khan, Dr. Saima Chaudhry, Dr. Farhat Kazmi, Dr. Erum Khan and Dr. Sadia Iqbal

Prof. Dr. Arshad Malik was also awarded as President Emeritus by all regional council presidents. A tribute was given to late Prof. Abdul Qadir Khehro for his services to Sindh council and to Prof Dr Arshad Malik for his tireless effort for the society. Dental News was also awarded a gold medal for the services rendered to the profession.

The event was well managed and highlighted the fact that Oral pathology is an emerging specialty that has a lot of scope in Pakistan.