Gulf Medical University Chancellor Prof. Hossam Hamdy addresses Korean Society of Medical Education
Ajman: Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, delivered the keynote lecture at the 35th Korean Medical Education Congress held at Busan City, South Korea on 30th May 2019. Organized by the Korean Society of Medical Education, Korea Association of Medical Colleges, the congress was themed ‘Creativeness and Values in Medical Education’ and explored the changing trends and opportunities in medical education and research.
Prof. Hossam Hamdy presented the plenary lecture of the Congress. Delivering the hour-long keynote speech on ‘Transformation of Medical Education for the Future: from Informative to Transformative’, he addressed a gathering of over 500 participants, including attendees from 47 leading medical colleges in Korea.
Reflecting on the future of medical education worldwide, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said that the field of medicine is a social science, dealing with people, societies and human interaction. Stressing upon the humanistic aspect of medicine, he said, “We should not forget that medicine is a social science and it is about human beings. The next generation health professions should be competent in treating the next generation patients in a value-based Healthcare System,” he said.
He explained how medical education and training was poised for major changes in the future, as modern medical education is embedded in advanced technology. Prof. Hossam Hamdy said that future technology will be disruptive and transform existing medical educational models. “Artificial intelligence and machine learning will influence how students learn. Physical learning spaces will reflect and express the underlying assumptions about what authentic learning and teaching are and embedding the learners in the work environment,” he said.
Prof. Hossam Hamdy further opined that Academic Healthcare Systems and innovation will be the norms for future medical education. “The training of students will be in all healthcare related facilities in the community,” he emphasized, adding, “Entrustable professional activities will be measured more frequently at different points of the students learning trajectory checking their ‘Readiness for Practice’ in a multidisciplinary team-based practice.”
Prof. Hossam Hamdy also stated that research and innovation will be integral to the students’ learning experience. “Students should be exposed to how researchers think and behave and be embedded in a research environment. Public-private partnership in education and research will spread and become more regulated and encouraged,” he explained.
Speaking about Gulf Medical University’s growing network of partner universities worldwide, Prof. Hossam Hamdy revealed that GMU is in the process of exploring opportunities for collaboration with several top universities in Korea. “The healthcare system in South Korea boasts a very advanced healthcare system that is technologically intense. GMU will collaborate with the leading names in medical education and healthcare in South Korea, for exchanges and joint programs in academia, healthcare and research,” he elaborated.
Dean of Seoul Medical College presented a memento to Prof. Hossam in appreciation of his keynote lecture.
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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.
