About Us

25 years ago, the Pakistan Society of Hepatology was founded by pioneers in the field of Intestinal and liver disease in the country because it was felt at the time that Hepatology had matured enough as a field that it be given a separate forum, platform and voice in the professional circles in the country

Since the time of its inception, the Pakistan Society of Hepatology had always strived to be a forum where leaders in the field of Hepatology, both National and International, would come together and share ideas and experiences in terms of intervention, research, experiences with different treatment options and patient outcomes so as to benefit the general cadre of professionals in the country.
In addition the Society would serve as a forum and platform where new ideas and directions could be given to professionals for developing unique approaches to liver disease. This is especially keeping in mind that Pakistan has the highest incidence of viral hepatitis worldwide and if you look to the future Pakistan is already one of the highest incident fatty liver disease countries in the world.

Both of these stark realities thereby mean that Hepatology is a cornerstone of healthcare in the country especially as fatty liver disease is not a single disease by itself. It is an entity encompassing metabolic syndrome, which itself is an entity encompassing diabetes hypertension heart disease stroke and various different types of cancer. All of these diseases are diseases of a bad lifestyle. In essence having a forum such as PSH in partnership with professionals in the field of internal medicine, nutrition, endocrinology, cardiology and Nephrology can make joint solutions to treat not only those who have been afflicted with this disease but also and more importantly partner with healthcare agencies, both public and private, so as to have a more meaningful strategy to prevent the development of these ailments in the general population. This makes more sense if one also sees that this disease complex makes up the largest chunk of healthcare budgets of nearly every country in the world.
Hence the annual meetings of the Parkinson Society of Hepatology for the past 7 years have been focusing heavily on the treatment of fatty liver disease and that is also the reason whereby collaborative sessions with the societies of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine have recently been standard component of our conference programs.

In addition to focusing on current and upcoming ailments and bringing in experts from around the world in their respective fields. The Society also puts great effort into encouraging young investigators in various GI and Hepatology and Gastroenterology units around the country to share and present their research.
This serves two purposes: firstly to instill a level of confidence among future generations of specialists in Hepatology. Secondly, this allows exposure of these young fellows and fellows in training to a high-quality international conference in their own country where leaders in Hepatology come in and share their latest experiences from the Americas, Europe Middle East and the Asia pacific region. This allows a great mix of senior experienced professionals as well as the next generation of Hepatology team leaders and sets a path of academic excellence, research, collaborative prospects and the best possible solutions for a very large Patient population which, may I say, is one of the largest Patient populations on the planet.

This year the Pakistan Society of Hepatology celebrates its Silver Jubilee. It is a celebration not of 25 years of conferences but of 25 years of annual rich interactive scientific meetings; of multiple regional conferences and seminars that are held throughout the year in all various centres throughout the country; of endoscopy workshops whereby experts in hepato-pancreatico-biliary intervention from around the world come in and perform live procedures both for the benefit of young professionals who are learning the basics of intervention as well as seniors who are able to share their own experiences in treating similar conditions.
In the same tradition this year we have an advanced Endoscopy workshop, with an excellent variety of cases, which is pre-conference due to be held on the 11th of September at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute, Lahore. Following that we have a three day program starting from the 12th of September, due to take place at the Nishat Hotel, Lahore. As always we have committed to cover every necessary aspect of liver disease that is being considered the most challenging to both the patient and healthcare professional populations at this point in time.
We plan for each session of each day to have an impact on our healthcare professionals such that they leave the conference with more confidence in terms of knowledge on how to manage their patients as well as with a rich battery of ideas for research projects, especially those unique to our own population and ideas for collaboration with International experts in Hepatology.
I invite you all to join this year’s proceedings starting with our pre-conference Endoscopy workshop and the sessions that follow and I assure you that you will leave the conference feeling more up to date with practice modifying information.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Dr Adnan Salim
FCPS FRCP
Associate Professor of GI & Hepatology
Consultant Punjab Human organ Transplant Committee
Associate Editor, Proceedings, Journal of SZFPGMI
Secretary Organising Committee
Pakistan Society of Hepatology

Today it has assumed a leading position to provide opportunities of development of professional competency and proficiency of those who come across liver diseases in everyday clinical practice. It provides a rich multi-faceted environment to junior clinicians who are interested to adopt a Hepatology-based career. In addition, it gives ideas for research for practicing Hepatologists faced with un-answered challenges that require deeper study into liver disease.

Vision

To support and guide members and audiences to provide the best and latest information to achieve the best outcomes for patients with liver disease.

Future Aims and Objectives

• To provide a common forum for Hepatologists in Pakistan to exchange their experiences with one another and coordinate their efforts to standardize the level of liver care in the country.
• To maintain, develop and extend relations with national and international organizations having similar objectives.
• To stimulate interest in the study and advancement of Hepatology and its allied specialties in all possible ways including education and research.
• To organize regular seminars, conferences and meetings for promoting exchange of views.
• To organize regular workshops focused on interventional procedures in hepatology including ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound and interventional radiology.
• To publish scientific literature for guidance of specialists and primary care teams.
• To promote high ethical standards and safeguard professional interests of its members.