SAGAS News

New minister: A further support 

On Saturday 21 June 2003, SAGAS representatives made a visit to the office of his Excellency, Dr. Hamad Al-Mane, the newly appointed Minister of Health. The group members conveyed their congratulations to his Excellency and pointed out the objectives of the group on local stroke issues and made him aware of the plans. Publications of the group were also handed to him. His Excellency was very interested in SAGAS work and particularly stress on primary and secondary protective measures. He was more than kind when he showed a great understanding towards the group objectives and difficulties. His Excellency expressed his concern regarding children with sickle cell disease, and he was more than clear to support the launch of a nation-wide educational program on use of Transcranial Doppler as a useful screening tool to detect sicklers at high risk for stroke. The group took his directions and started to work on a plan to include this activity to in i’t’s schedule. SAGAS, appreciate his Excellency's concern and thank him for his understanding and support.

SAGAS workshop on TCD

SAGAS conducted a workshop on Transcranial  Doppler (TCD) during the 12th Annual Saudi Neuroscience Symposium held in Jeddah, January 2004. The workshop was attended by more than 30 physicians. A series of lectures was given followed by a demonstration of  TCD simulator and then a hands on job. The session lasted for 4 hours. The group is willing to conduct a series of workshops on TCD across the Kingdom, and is working on the next one in Al-Hofuf.

SAGAS and football,

The SAGAS sponsored foot ball team played 2 matches in the 2003 Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital Football tournament. The first match was against the Sterilization Department. The SAGAS team played well and scored the highest result in the competition (12 goals to 2). The second match was against the Security Department. The SAGAS team did it again and managed to win 3 to 2. SAGAS is on top of its group and will play soon in the Quarter Final. Congratulations to SAGAS team.

SAGAS Tournament (12th Annual Saudi Neuroscience Symposium),

This was the first ever tournament among different neurology training centers, including neurology fellows from King Khalid University Hospital (Riyadh), Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (Riyadh) and Jeddah Center. There were 7 teams and each team was composed of two fellows. The tournament is a new idea in local symposia and indeed was a challenge for SAGAS to conduct it at this large gathering. The final round was conducted in Laylati Hall and was attended by a number of neuro-physicians. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital team, Dr. Iftitah Al-Houmod and Dr Iman Naseem, won the final round against Jeddah Center, Dr. Hanaa Qadah and Dr. Nisreen Ashour. Both team did very well and the score difference was marginal. The winning team was awarded Q-tech mobile phones, which were given by Professor Salih Al-Deeb and Dr Erfan, Congratulations! Attendee were happy and gave their compliments to SAGAS for conducting this activity, which is one of the most important goals of SAGAS, in support of all trainees in Saudi medical training programs. Neurology fellows participating in this tournament were awarded with the text book of “Stroke” by Charles Warlow. Professor Al-Deeb (Godfather of Saudi neurologists) was most kind when he announced that SAGAS would be conducting this activity at every Annual Saudi Neuroscience Symposium. SAGAS thanked Professor Al-Deeb for his trust and we are more than happy to make this tournament a tradition at this annual symposium.

Best junior presentation award,

SAGAS awarded a price for the “Best Presentation Given by Neurology Fellows in Training during the 12th Annual Saudi Neuroscience Symposium”. There were 9 presentations, evaluated by senior neurologists attending the sessions. The scores were high and very close, indicating the high quality of presentations. However, the grand prize went to Dr. Waleed Al-Mangour. He was awarded with the latest version of a Lap top. Congratulations and good luck to others in next events! We need not to remind you that SAGAS will always be there for neurology fellows in training. This award will be a tradition at future Annual Neuroscience Symposium.

SAGAS and World Stroke Federation. 

Dr Waleed Khoja, representing Saudi Arabia and SAGAS, has been nominated to be a member of the Board of Incorporators - World Stroke Federation (WSF) during a recent meeting in San Diego. This occurred during the activity of the 29th International  Stroke Conference held on February 5-7, 2004. The Board of Incorporators  will work  to formulate the final form of the Federation... 

The WSF Board of Incorporators will assume bridge directorship of WSF activities until legal inception is completed and the official directors have been elected…

New SAGAS Members: 

We would like to welcome our new members in the group: 

1. Dr. Mohammed Habbab, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Head of Adult Cardiology in Prince Sultan Cardiac Center

2. Dr. Saeed Al-Ghamdi, Consultant Neurologist, King Fahd Hospital, Al-Baha

We also would like to thank our former members, Dr. Al-Khadhra and Dr. Awada for their distinguished participation.