KARACHI: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, successfully conducted a two-day workshop focusing on advanced laparoscopy and weight loss (bariatric) surgery techniques. The event brought together surgical experts from Columbia University, New York, to train local surgeons and postgraduate medical trainees.
Professor of Surgery Dr. George S. Ferzli and his fellow Dr. Alexander Wu led the workshop sessions, providing hands-on training in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The training focused on equipping participants with internationally recognized techniques for safer and more effective surgical care.
The initiative was part of JPMC’s ongoing efforts to build local capacity through international collaborations and to keep Pakistani surgical practices aligned with global standards. The workshop provided a platform for postgraduate trainees and residents to directly learn from experienced global professionals.
Dr. Alexander Wu also presented a session on the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern medicine. He discussed how AI is significantly transforming fields such as radiology and internal medicine by enabling faster and more accurate analysis of complex data. In surgery, AI is increasingly being used to study and optimize surgical movements, particularly in robotic-assisted procedures, and is contributing to improvements in both preoperative planning and postoperative outcomes.
Dr. Wu highlighted that although AI is rapidly advancing, the human presence in surgical care remains essential. He underscored that technology will complement—rather than replace—clinical decision-making in the operating room.
Another key participant was Dr. Lina Hani, a fourth-year surgery resident at New York University and a graduate of Ziauddin University, Karachi. She actively contributed to training participants and observed that the surgical infrastructure at JPMC was compatible with international practices, which facilitated smooth knowledge exchange.
The event concluded with the oath-taking ceremony of the Pakistan Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (PSMBS). Supervised by Dr. Surender Dawaney, President of the Sindh Chapter, the ceremony formalized the induction of new members into the society. Established in 2017, PSMBS is the first and only registered society in Pakistan dedicated to bariatric and metabolic surgery.
The society aims to improve access to bariatric surgery across Pakistan, particularly as obesity and related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and joint disorders continue to rise. PSMBS also focuses on promoting clinical research, building awareness, and advocating for policy development in the field of metabolic health.
JPMC’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to hosting such collaborative events in the future, with the goal of strengthening surgical education and promoting innovation in Pakistan’s healthcare system.
