This newsletter is as an annual communication medium among the Arab pathologists. It aims to communicate news of regional meetings, practice ideas, experiences, and job opportunities in the Arab world. News from the council and from the mother IAP is also communicated. Your contributions of any topic of interest to the Arabic pathologists are welcomed. Please e-mail your article to the address listed at the last page. We look forward to your contributions.

Wasim F. Raslan, MD, PhD
Editor

E-mail: wasim.raslan@aramco.com

Wasim F. Raslan, MD, PhD
Editor

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My term of office as President of the Arab Division is about to conclude by the end of this year.

A new President, Dr. Ali El Hindawi from Egypt, shall carry the responsibility of the presidency of the Division for the coming two years 2006-2007. I wish him the best in leading our Division to more successes and to new horizons. During the last two years, I had the privilege of presiding over a robust and healthy Division by all standards. Our annual meetings are attracting more and more pathologists from the Arab world as well as guests from European, Asian and North American countries. Our last meeting in Tunisia in 2004 was featured in “International Pathology “, the news bulletin for IAP, with lots of pictures featuring our colleagues from various Arab countries. This is a testimony on the esteemed status of our Division among various Divisions of IAP. Without your efforts and support, we could not achieve this level of organization and the status we achieved through the hard work and the organizational skills which many of you had given selflessly to this Division.

Our Arab School of Pathology is doing quite well. We had been able to conduct 3 tutorials so far in collaboration with the British Division of IAP. The first was on hematopathology in Beirut, Lebanon in 2002; the second was on soft tissue tumors in Damascus, Syria in 2003; the third was on Gastro-intestinal pathology in Cairo, Egypt in 2004. A fourth tutorial on Dermatopathology will be held at the end of November 2005 in Manama, Bahrain. Our sincere thanks go to our British colleagues, particularly Prof. Kristin Henry, for their continued support. In all of these tutorials, there had been always local faculty from the ranks of membership of the Arab Division. We are planning to have a tutorial on nephropathology in January, 2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates depending mostly on our local nephropathologists. We shall try to hold two tutorials every year, one with support from the British Division and the other relying on our own resources.

Our Division shall encourage the establishment of interest groups in various areas of pathology. A GI group was established under the leadership of Dr. Najib Haboubi with several pathologists interested in gastro-intestinal pathology joining in. A cytopathology group shall be established soon under the leadership of Dr. Fadi Abdul Karim. We shall discuss the establishment of more similar groups and lay down guidelines for their activities and establish bylaws governing their activities.

I look forward meeting you all in our meeting this year in Amman, Jordan. The scientific program is quite rich with several world-renowned speakers participating in this meeting.

I wish you all success in your careers as pathologists striving to help our physicians reaching the most accurate diagnoses to be able to serve our patients. Our Division shall remain an instrument in educating all of us in the new advances of our specialty. We count on your continued support so that our Division can achieve its mission.

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This council meeting was held on September 21, 2004 at Nile 4 Conference Room at Hotel Africa in Tunis, Tunisia during the 16th Congress of the Arab Division of IAP held in Tunis, Tunisia on September 20-22, 2004.
The meeting started at 6:30 PM.

Prof. Ushigome, Presidant of IAP, receives an appriciation plaque from Dr. Zaatari and Dr. Amr at gala dinner in Dar Al Jeld Resturant. Dr. Francis Jaubert apears on the left (above)

Prof. Leon Barnes, USA; Prof. and Mrs. Antonio Llombart-Busch; Dr. Samir Amr, Presendent of the Arab Division, Dr. Ismail Matalka, Jordan; Prof. Kristin Henry, UK. At the gala dinner of the sixteenth meeting, Tunis, Tunisia, 2004.

Attendance:
Dr. Samir S Amr, President. Dr. Ali El Hindawi, President elect. Dr. Sharif El Salem, Past President. Dr. Ghazi Zaatari, Secretary. Dr. Hassan Annab, Treasurer. Dr. Wasim Raslan, Editor, Newsletter of Arab Division of IAP Dr. Samir Boubaker, Tunisia; Dr Abdelkhalek Ben Rejeb, Tunisia. Dr. Sabah Mzabi, Tunisia. Dr. Ismail Matalka, Jordan. Dr. Fouad Dayel, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Abdulla Darweesh, Bahrain. Dr. Mouza Al Sharhan, United Arab Emirates. Dr.Raji Al Hadithi, Iraq. Dr. Salwa Osman Mekki, Sudan; Dr. Ahmed Abdalla Mohamedani, Sudan. Dr. Ahmad Zahi Al Shawaf, Syria. Dr. Raydeh Al Khani, Syria. Dr. Kheira Bendisari, Algeria. Dr. Saida Sqalli, Morocco. Dr. Maher Sughayer, Palestine. Dr. Najib Haboubi, UK.
Guests: Dr. Shinichiro Ushigome, President, IAP. Dr. Francis Jaubert, President-elect, IAP. Dr. Antonio Llombart Busch, Past President, IAP Dr. Kristin Henry, Vice President for Europe, IAP.

1. Dr. Zaatari expressed his thanks on behalf of the Arab Division of IAP to our Tunisian colleagues for their excellent preparation of the meeting and their hospitality.

2. Approval of previous minutes: The minutes of the last Council meeting held in Cairo in September 15, 2003 were reviewed and approved.

3. Report on the current meeting (16th Meeting of the Arab Division)
Dr. Samir Boubaker briefed the council on the 16th Congress of the Arab Division of IAP. There were 275 participants from many Arab countries. In addition to participants from Tunisia and Algeria, there were a few pathologists from Morocco. One pathologist came from Mauritania for the first time. Several pathologists came from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States as well as 6 from Jordan. Four pathologists from Iraq and one from Palestine attended the meeting. Thirty guest speakers covered 15 topics in various areas of pathology. They came from France, USA, UK, Spain, Japan and Arab countries. Some modifications in the program took place due to the inability of some speakers to attend the meeting including Dr. Bussolati, Italy; Dr. Capron, France; and Dr. Abdelaal, UAE. A course on neuropathology was moved one day earlier because Dr Dumas, France had to leave earlier. A course on Gynecologic Cytology was cancelled because Dr Gamal Abdelaal from United Arab Emirates was unable to attend. The social program was satisfactory. The participants enjoyed the musical evening by the All Women Musical Group (Al Azifat).Dr. Mohamedani from Sudan expressed his concerns regarding obtaining a visa to Tunisia. This issue had been repeating itself in several previous meetings. The Division has no control over this issue. It is recommended that members planning to attend meetings should plan way in advance to get the necessary visas.
Dr Shinichiro Ushigome, President of IAP expressed his thanks to the Arab Division and to the organizers of the meeting. He was pleased to meet the members of the Division. He talked to our members who came from Iraq who explained the difficult situation the Iraqi pathologists are going through in light of the present conflict in Iraq. Dr. Ushigome stated that he shall convey his observations to the Council of IAP.

4. 17th Meeting of Arab Division, 2005.
Dr. Ismail Matalka made a presentation concerning the 17th Meeting of our Division. This will be held in Amman, Jordan in the second week of November 2005, few days after Eid Al Fitr. Tentatively, the topics that will be the themes for the meeting include hematopathology, including a tutorial on flow cytometry, neuropathology, cytopathology, gynecological pathology including a slide seminar on ovarian tumors, uropathology and Quality Control (QC) in surgical pathology.
Dr. Matalka said that he will coordinate with pathologists in Jordan to organize the meeting. He is targeting to issue a second announcement in December 2004.
Dr. Najib Haboubi suggested a workshop before the meeting. Dr. Ghazi Zaatari emphasized the importance of going back to the guidelines set earlier for organization of meetings of our Division. A letter of intention should be directed to the secretary. The President and secretary should be always informed on the progress for preparation of the meeting.

5. Arab School of Pathology.
A. Dr. Ali El Hindawi briefed the council on the preparations for the third tutorial of the ASP. It is a tutorial on GI Pathology, to be held in Cairo, Egypt at Cairo University. The British Division named two speakers: Prof Neil Shepherd and Dr Brian Warren to be instructors, and Dr El Hindawi stated that there will be two local speakers. He stated that GI endoscopists will participate. There will be lectures and slide seminars. The target of the tutorial will be junior pathologists, but others will be encouraged to attend.
B. A proposal submitted by Dr. Fouad Dayel, Saudi Arabia, and Dr Mouza Sharhan, UAE, to have the next tutorial in Dubai, UAE on renal pathology. Details shall be worked out by Dr Dayel and Dr Sharhan.
C. Dr Kristin Henry commented on ASP and its relationship with the British Division . It is molded along the lines of the European School of Pathology. There is interchange and interaction between the students and the instructors. The set up is that of a training tutorial small group of junior pathologists.

6. Newsletter of the Arab Division.
Dr Wasim Raslan, Editor, briefed the council on the Newsletter. He is targeting for financial independence of the Newsletter by soliciting financial support from advertisers. He was able to obtain financial support for printing the last issue of the Newsletter from the agents of Ventana, the immunohistochemistry automated system. He asked the Council members to submit their contributions about activities held in their countries for publication in the Newsletter.
At the present time, the Newsletter is available on the web page of the Arab Division and the web page of the International Academy of Pathology. This helps in promoting our Division and putting our news in frequently visited sites by pathologists from all over the world.

7. Web Page of the Arab Division.
Dr Zaatari stated that the web page of the Arab Division had been renovated and is easier and more user friendly to access than before. The web site is www.adiap.org . He asked the Council members whether to list the names of the members of the Arab Division in the web site in the form of a directory. If a directory is listed on the web site, should be there a password to open the directory or should it be an open access? Some Councilors thought that an open access is fine, but others thought that it might violate the privacy of the members if the list was used by advertisers. The issue was left open for further discussion.

8. Report on the First Intra European Mediterranean Conference of IAP.

9. Questionnaire from IAP Educational Committee.
Dr. Kristin Henry, Vice President for Europe and Chair of the Education Committee of IAP stated that she sent a questionnaire to the secretaries of various Divisions regarding the educational activities of these Divisions, and how the Educational Committee of IAP can help. Among the key items in this questionnaire: Does the Division need lecturers and teachers? If the Division needs teachers, what areas of pathology are needed to be covered? Does the Division has experienced teachers who can help other Divisions in their educational activities? If financial aid and funding is needed, how much is required?

10. Establishment of Working Groups.
Dr. Najib Haboubi, Manchester, UK gave a proposal on the need for establishing working groups for various subspecialties or areas of interest in pathology. He stated that he is working with other pathologists on establishing Gastro-Intestinal Pathology Group (GIG). This group can arrange for future tutorials and seminars for the Arab School of Pathology and activities within future annual meetings. Dr. Llombart Busch mentioned the experience of the European Society of Pathology who has 10 working groups. He suggested that the role of these groups should be set and bylaws governing their activities should be written.

11. Financial Report.
Dr Hassan Annab, Treasurer briefed the Council on the financial status of the Division. In 2002, there were 11,000 Jordanian Dinars in the Division’s bank account. In 2004, there are 11, 500 Jordanian Dinars. There is no significant increase in the assets. No money from profits, if any, made in any meeting are returned to the Division’s treasury. Collecting annual dues is still a problem due to bank draft problems in different Arab countries, particularly those with strict bank regulations concerning sending money to other countries. The Division had been supporting the annual meeting with donations of $2000 to cover some of the expenses. IAP gives the Division financial aid to help cover these expenses.
12. Future Meetings of the Arab Division of IAP.
2006: Dr Saida Sqalli from Casablanca, Morocco accepted to hold this meeting in Morocco. To avoid repetition of the topics, she will look into the programs of various meetings. Dr. Amr and Dr. Zaatari shall coordinate with Dr. Sqalli on the topics and the speakers. 2007: Dr. Zaatari accepted tentatively to hold this meeting in Beirut, Lebanon 2008: It was suggested that it is about time to hold a meeting in Algeria. Further clarifications are to be made with our Algerian colleagues.

13. Arab Board of Pathology.
Dr. Zaatari had been working on this issue with the Arab Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) in Damascus, Syria. He sent to the Secretary of the ABMS a letter expressing the interest of many Arab pathologists in establishing a certifying body for pathology under the ABMS. He received a letter giving agreement in principle on establishing a board of pathology. There lots of work needed including writing up the needed requirements for training, the training program and what requirement are needed in the labs or hospitals to be accredited for training. The application for the ABMS is needed from a minimum of 3 countries. There are lots of hurdles to be covered. Dr. Zaatari solicited the help of the Councilors on this matter.

14. Other Business.
A. Medical journal for the Division.
Dr. Kristin Henry commented on the need of a journal for the Division. She stated that there were many excellent presentations and lots of posters which can be a good material for publication in pathology journal for the Division. She stressed that some of the material can be within the domain of “Geographic Pathology” featuring variations of diseases in different countries. This issue had been visited before. Dr. Amr called for the need for such a journal in the past. However, logistics of editing and publications can be overwhelming and need full time staff, which are un-affordable at the present time. An affiliation with existing pathology journal such as “International Journal of Surgical Pathology’ was contemplated at one point, but was dropped due to the cost which can be prohibitive for many members.
B. Anonymous Donor for Ibn Al Nafis Prize.
Due to the large number of oral and poster presentations by junior pathologists this year, an anonymous pathologist donated a sum of money as a second prize for Ibn Al Nafis Prize, which is usually given to the top finalist. This year, there were two winners, thanks to our anonymous donor.
Dr. Zaatari thanked the guests and the councilors for their input and comments.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.

Cultural event at Dar Al Hikmah featuring the Moorish North African architectural style and ornamental designs of the roof and the hallway (above).
An all women musical band (AL Azifat) entertaining guests of the Arab Division, Tunis, Tunisia, 2004.

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First Intra European Mediterranean Conference of IAP, Athens, Greece, May 2003
The idea of having a regional meeting for Divisions of European countries and countries on the Mediterranean Sea was presented by Dr George Kontegeorgos, Secretary of the Hellenic Division of IAP, to the Council of IAP in 2001. Its goal is to encourage pathologists from these regions to meet every two years, alternating with the meetings of IAP to encourage cooperation between these Divisions. It was given the green light then.

Through the efforts of the Hellenic Division and its dynamic President, Dr. Niki J Agnantis, and the Secretary Dr George Kontegeorgos, the meeting was held on May 8-10, 2003 at Astir Palace Resort in the suburb of Vouliagmeni, Athens, Greece. Dr Amr attended the meeting as well as several councilors of IAP including Dr Shinichiro Ushigome, President of IAP, Dr Francis Jaubert, President elect, Dr Antonio Llombart Busch , Past President, Dr. Jack Strong, Treasurer, and Dr F Martinez-Tello, Vice President for Europe.

The program of the meeting was composed of 5 workshops on hot topics in pathology including the following workshops:
1. Breast cancer workshop: Genetics and problematic cases of breast cancer presented by Dr. Sunil Lakhani from UK; molecular pathology of breast cancer by Dr. Bevilacqua from Italy; micro-metastasis in breast carcinoma by Dr. Nesland from Norway and apoptosis and Bcl-2 in breast diseases by Dr. Agnantis from Greece.
2. Gynecologic cancer workshop: Molecular pathology of endometrial cancer and pitfalls in the diagnosis of gynecological tumors by Dr. Jamie Prat from Spain.
3. Workshop on pigmented lesions of the skin: Molecular and clinical data on pigmented lesions presented by Dr. Martin Mihm, Jr. from USA, and slide seminar on problematic lesions by Dr Mihm and Dr. Crowson from USA. Two presentations from Greece on immunobiology of melanoma and childhood melanoma were presented as well.
5. Plenary Lecture on diagnostic molecular pathology of solid tumors including soft tissue tumors presented by Dr Antonio Llombart Busch from Spain.
6. Workshop on prostatic neoplasia: Lectures on early phases of prostatic cancer by Dr Duray from USA; origins of prostatic carcinoma and various pre-neoplastic lesions by Dr. Petraki from Greece; predictive factors in prostatic carcinoma by Dr Montironi from Italy; handling and reporting radical prostatectomy specimens by Dr. Elefthriadis from Greece; and a slide seminar on problematic cases in prostate pathology by Dr. Montironi.

There were several posters. Dr. Nasir Amra from Dhahran Health Center was the only Arab pathologist along with Dr. Amr. They had a poster on FNA cytological findings of low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. On the last day of the meeting, officers of IAP had a meeting with the Council members of the Hellenic Division. The agenda included the following items:
1. Proposals for future Intra-European Mediterranean conferences. This issue was introduced by Dr. Francis Jaubert. It was suggested that Spain could be the next venue for this meeting in 2005. If Spain is not available at that time, Dr. Llombart Busch suggested that the meeting to be held in Russia. It was commented that although Russia is not a Mediterranean country, nevertheless it is a European country. Dr. Amr stated that the Arab Division of IAP is willing to host this meeting in its 2007 Meeting which will be held in Beirut, Lebanon. 2. Collaboration of European IAP Divisions with other countries including European Union Programs. This item was introduced by Dr. F Martinez-Tello. 3. Problems related to educational activities of IAP. This issue was introduced by Dr. Llombart Busch.
4. Support of pathologists in under-developed countries. This issue was introduced by Dr. Samir Amr. In addition to the educational activities, the organizers arranged for the participants to visit various famous Greek historical sites and enjoy the Greek food and music.

Dr. Wasim F. Raslan, Chief of Pathology Services Division at Dahran Health Center, Saudi Aramco and Editor of the IAP- Arab Division newsletter represented the Arab Division during the 31st European Congress of Cytology, October 2-5, 2005 in Paris, Franc. He briefed the audience about the activities of the Arab Division and invited them to participate in our annual meetings. His participation included chairing a free paper session on the Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Cytology of the thyroid gland and presentation of two rare cases of FNA biopsies (above left).

Dr. Samir Amr; Prof. George Kontogeorgos; and Dr. Nasir Amra at the first IEM meeting, May 8-10, 2003 Athens, Greece

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Due to the large number of young pathologists, mostly women, participating in the competition for Ibn Al-Nafees Award for the best poster or oral presentation by young pathologists, it was decided to give two awards this year. An Arab pathologists residing and working in Paris, France, donated the money for the second award. She is a long time supporter of the Division.

The first award this year was granted to Dr. Assia Kaddouri-Slimani from Algeria for her poster entitled “Hybridation in situ (HIS) detection de l’ HPV des lesions du col uterin. Experience du Service D’ Anatomie Pathologique CHU Beni Messous”. ( Detection of lesions of the uterine cervix induced by HPV by In Situ hybridization (ISH). Our experience at Anatomic Pathology Service at Beni Messous Hospital, Algeria).

The second award was given to Dr. Essia Saiji-Dhiab from Tunisia for her poster entitled “ Resultats de 99 biopsies en miroir systematiques pour carcinome lobulaire du sein”. (Results of 99 biopsies in cases of lobular carcinoma of the breast).

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Sousse, Tunisia, 1999. Appreciation plaque presented by Dr, Samir Amr to Dr, Ishak in appreciation for his continued support for the Arab Division.

Dr. Florabel Mullick, Secretary of IAP, has described him as a “giant in the field of liver pathology, a great scientist and teacher”. Dr, Kamal Ishak was a constant supporter to the Arab Division of the IAP and frequently presented a valuable lectures and courses at different Arabic cities. The Arab division has named its Keynote lecture after him.

Dr. Ishak was born in Sudan in 1928. He spent his childhood and early adulthood in Cairo, Egypt. He graduated from Cairo University in 1951, and completed internship and residency training at affiliated Cairo hospitals. In 1954, he served as a Fulbright Scholar at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Institute, where he studied Schistosomiasis and Brucellosis. He immigrated to the United States in 1957 and received pathology training at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in San Antonio, and Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He later earned a PhD in microbiology from Baylor, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1965. Dr. Ishak had the reputation of having an “encyclopedic knowledge of pathologic and clinical aspects of liver disease”. In addition to a vast experience gained from study of the AFIP’s unique collection of rare and common diseases.

In 1963, Dr. Ishak joined the staff of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and soon after, he became chief of the Hepatic Pathology Branch in 1965. His professional interests included clinicopathologic studies of drug-induced hepatic injury, viral and other infections of the liver, benign and malignant tumors, and inherited metabolic diseases of the liver. During his career, he authored or co-authored over 300 books, chapters and scientific publications.

His landmark paper on malignant liver tumors in children (Cancer. 1967; 20:396-422) defined hepatoblastoma as an entity distinct from hepatocellular carcinoma. He followed that by numerous other papers on medical diseases of the liver and the pathology of phenothiazine hepatotoxicity (Arch Pathol. 1972; 93:283 304). He devised the first version of the Histological Activity Index (HAI) for evaluating liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis (Hepatology. 1981; 1:431-435). He served as the lead author on the authoritative AFIP fascicle Tumors of the Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Ducts (2001). In 2001, he also co-edited the authoritative Textbook (MacSween’s Pathology of the Liver). In addition, he was a major participant in all three editions of the WHO “blue books,” devoted to the classification of liver tumors.

He served as a faculty member for over 30 years at annual meetings of the U.S. and Canadian Academy of Pathology, where he taught dozens of courses on hepatic pathology. He received the Academy’s President’s Award, a distinguished service award from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and a lifetime achievement award from the AFIP. He held the Presidential Rank Award, Meritorious Executive, Senior Executive Service, as well as several other prestigious awards. He was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, United Kingdom. He was planning to attend the 16th annual meeting of the IAP Arab Division in Tunisia in September 2004. Unfortunately, he passed away on April 5, 2004.

Dr. Ishak will always remain as a symbol of pride and a role model in the minds of the Arab pathologists for many years to come.

Reference: www.afip.org/public/mullick

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18th congress of the Arab Division of the International Academy of Pathology
Place: Casablanca, Morocco
Time: NOVEMBER 2006
CONTACT PROF. Saida Sqalli
E-mail: amp@menara.ma

26th International Congress of the International Academy of Pathology
Place: MONTERIAL CANADA
Time: September 16-21, 2006
Website address: www.iap2006.com

Eighth Meeting of the Syrian Society of Pathology
Place: Aleppo, Syria
Time: March 30-April 2, 2006
Contact: Dr. Zahi Shawaf
E-mail: zahi@scs-net.org

Fourth Tutorial of Arab School of Pathology on Dermatopathology
Place: Manamah, Bahrain Time: November 26-28, 2005
Contact: Dr. Fouad Dayel
dayelf@kfshrc.edu.sa

Fifth Tutorial of the Arab School of Pathology on Nephropathology
Place: Dubai, UAE
Date: JANUARY 2006

Contributors to this newsletter:
Wasim F. Raslan, MD, PhD
Samir S. Amr, MD

Editor & Correspondence:
Wasim F. Raslan, MD, PhD.
Saudi Aramco, Box: 10613
Dhahran, 31311 Saudi Arabia
E-mail: wasim.raslan@aramco.com
Fax: 966-3-877-6783

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Dr. Dr. Soraya Ouhida, a histopathologist from Algeria was the winner of Ibn Al Nafees Scholarship. She spent two months at the Department of Histopathology with Dr. N haboubi at the Tarfford Hospital, Manchester, England.

Dr, Haboubi in his office, with Dr. Soraya Ouhida: winner of Ibn AlNafees scholarship.

Below is her description of her experience:
“I was very pleased when I was offered the Ibn El Nafees scholarship for two months from the 3rd of May to the 1st of July 2005 by Prf. N.Haboubi, head of the Department of Histopathology Trafford General Hospital NHS Trust Manchester UK. The department is manned by four consultants: Prf. N.Haboubi head of the department, Dr. H.Ali, Dr. K.Anjum, and Dr Salmo. There are four trainees: Dr. H. Pitchamuthu, Dr. N.Elgheridli, Dr. K.swalem, Dr. R.Judi and A.Khattab as an observer from Syria. There are Six technicians and four secretaries.

The department receives around 9000 surgical pathology specimens and 500 post mortems per year. The consultants along with the trainees do the reporting. The department is equipped by the latest models of lab machines. Special stains and immunochemistry are used routinely for reporting. The department has a good library with a good collection of the latest journals and books and free access to the Internet for literature and research. This makes the work easier and interesting.

This training was very beneficial to me because it gave me the opportunity to see the organization and the functioning of the Histopathology Department. As part of my training, I attended the cut up in the mornings; screened the daily slides; screened the archive slides; and attended autopsies. I also had the opportunity to attend the multidisciplinary team meetings and realize the importance of the interaction of pathology with other disciplines for the good of the patient. These meetings were as follows:
• Surgical meetings once a week
• Medical meetings once a week
• Lung meetings once a week
• Breast meetings, twice a month
• Colorectal meetings once a month.

I also attended the Continuous Medical Educational courses presented by the trainees and the consultants. When I return to Algeria, I will transmit the experience I have gained to my colleagues. The department is very friendly, run very well, coordinated and advanced in both service and research. It is highly respected in the hospital. I highly recommend it. It was a privilege for me to be part of this unit for two months. I hope that others may benefit for this opportunity”.

Dr. Soraya Ouhida
Histopathologist
Algeria

Ibn El Nafees scholarship was offered by Dr. Najib Haboubi the chairman of the Department of Pathology at Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust. It pays for a single accommodation up to six months to a young pathologist just before getting his/her consultant grade. The nominee will be allowed good exposure to the running of Pathology services in the UK, the interaction of Pathology and other disciplines in this hospital, and possibly initiating a research project..

As there will be a strong interest in this opportunity, the selection will be made strictly on CV’s and may give some consideration for certain geographical factors.

For more information, kindly contact:
Mrs. Maggie Irving Personal Secretary to Dr. Najib Haboubi Department of Surgical Pathology, Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust, Moorside Road, Davyhulme Manchester M41 5 SL, U.K. Tel: (0044) 161 746 2474, Fax: (0044) 161 746 2898 (E-mail: Margaret.Irving@traffdhc-tr.nwest.nhs.uk)

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