Dr. Hesham Marei Appointed New Dean of Gulf Medical University’s College of Dentistry
Professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery Dr. Hesham Marei has been appointed as the Dean of the College of Dentistry, Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman. A remarkable academician, Dr. Hesham Marei had been working at the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, prior to joining GMU.
Graduating from Cairo University in 1997, Dr. Marei later received his Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in oral and maxillofacial surgery from Suez Canal University, Egypt. He completed his clinical training at Cardiff Dental School, University Hospital of Wales, UK and obtained his fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in London. He has also holds a Master’s Degree in medical education to his credit, and in 2018, he obtained a Doctoral Degree in medical education from Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
Dr. Marei has delivered numerous presentations, workshops and courses in both his specialties at several national and international events in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Pakistan, the Netherlands, UK and USA.
“Dr. Hesham Marei brings to GMU years of experience as an academician and scholar and an impressive set of international engagements,” said Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU. “We warmly welcome him as the new Dean of our College of Dentistry” he added.
“The College of Dentistry, Gulf Medical University is the only college offering DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) program in the UAE. The DMD program is a competency-based model of education, reflective of an evidence-based definition of general dentistry, unique from the other dental programs offered in the region. The standards and program goals are aligned with those identified by American Dental Association (ADA) and American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Multiple clinical training sites in Ajman, Sharjah and Dubai owned by the Thumbay Group supports the program. Furthermore, the Thumbay Dental Hospital in the University campus is equipped with 60 dental units. The College of Dentistry also has a new state-of-the-art Dental Simulation Laboratory which is used for teaching and assessment purposes” a press release from the GMU added.
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MP HC sets up judicial commission to probe water contamination in Indore
Indore (PTI): The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set up a commission of inquiry comprising a former HC judge to probe the issue of water contamination in city's Bhagirathpura, saying the matter requires probe by an independent, credible authority and "urgent judicial scrutiny".
It also directed the commission to submit an interim report after four weeks from the date of commencement of proceedings.
A division bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi constituted the commission while hearing several public interest litigations (PILs) filed simultaneously regarding the deaths of several people in Bhagirathpura due to the consumption of contaminated water.
The HC reserved the order after hearing all the parties during the day, and released it late at night.
The state government on Tuesday told the HC that the deaths of 16 people in Indore's Bhagirathpura area was possibly linked to a month-long outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The government presented an audit report of 23 deaths from the current gastroenteritis epidemic in Bhagirathpura before the bench, suggesting that 16 of these fatalities may have been linked to the outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by contaminated drinking water.
The report, prepared by a committee of five experts from the city's Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, stated that the deaths of four people in Bhagirathpura were unrelated to the outbreak, while no conclusion could be reached regarding the cause of death of three other people in the area.
During the hearing, the high court sought to know from the state government the scientific basis behind its report.
The division bench also expressed surprise at the state government's use of the term "verbal autopsy" in relation to the report, sarcastically stating that it had heard the term for the first time.
The HC expressed concern over the Bhagirathpura case, stating that the situation was "alarming," and noted that cases of people falling ill due to contaminated drinking water have also been reported in Mhow, near Indore.
In its order, the HC said the serious issue concerning contamination of the drinking water supply in Bhagirathpura area allegedly resulted in widespread health hazards to residents, including children and elderly persons.
According to the petitioners and media reports, death toll is about 30 till today, but the report depicts only 16 without any basis or record, it said.
It is averred that sewage mixing, leakage in the pipeline, and failure of civic authorities to maintain potable water standards have led to the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Photographs, medical reports, and complaints submitted to the authorities prima facie indicate a matter requiring urgent judicial scrutiny, the HC said.
"Considering the gravity of the allegation and affecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and the need for an independent fact-finding exercise, the Court is of the opinion that the matter requires investigation by an independent, credible authority," it said.
"Accordingly, we appoint Justice Sushil Kumar Gupta, former judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, a one-man commission of inquiry into the issues relating to water contamination in Bhagirathpura, Indore, and its impact on other areas of the city," the HC added.
As per the order, the commission shall inquire into and submit a report on the cause of contamination -- whether the drinking water supplied to Bhagirathpura was contaminated; and the source and nature of contamination (sewage ingress, industrial discharge, pipeline damage etc).
The panel will also probe the number of actual deaths of affected residents on account of contaminated water; find out the nature of disease reported and adequacy of medical response and preventive measures; suggest immediate steps required to ensure safe drinking water as well as long-term infrastructural and monitoring reforms.
It will also identify and fix responsibility upon the officers and officials found prima facie responsible for the Bhagirathpura water contamination incident, and suggest guidelines for compensation to affected residents, particularly vulnerable sections.
The commission shall have powers of a civil court for the purpose of summoning officials and witnesses; calling up records from the government department, hospitals, laboratories and civic bodies; ordering water quality testing through accredited laboratories; conducting spot inspections.
All state authorities involving district administration, Indore Municipal Corporation, public health engineering department and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board shall extend full co-operation and provide records as sought by the commission, it said.
The state government shall provide office space, staff, and logistical support to the commission, it said.
During the hearing in the day, the state government also presented a status report to the court in this matter.
According to reports, a total of 454 patients were admitted to local hospitals during the vomiting and diarrhea outbreak, of whom 441 have been discharged after treatment, and 11 are currently hospitalised.
According to officials, due to a leak in the municipal drinking water pipeline in Bhagirathpura, sewage from a toilet was also mixed in the water.
