Located in the bustling metropolis of Karachi in Southern Pakistan, AKUH is a leading private sector institution with affiliated hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Mumbai, India; and Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi, Kenya.
Renowned for its excellence, AKUH’s medical school is regarded as one of the finest in Pakistan. The Urology department comprises 7 consultants and 9 residents and is recognized for its top-notch training programs, combining clinical expertise with academic rigor.
With Dr. Imran Jalbani spearheading the Laparoscopy programme, supported by Dr. S M Nazim, Prof. Hammad Ather, and Dr. Raziuddin Biyabani, the institute is making significant strides in Urological laparoscopy. Proficient in laparoscopic nephrectomies, pyeloplasties, and adrenalectomies, the department is well-equipped to train the next generation of Urologists.
AKUH boasts a state-of-the-art simulation center, the Center of Innovation in Medical Education (CIME), featuring 10 laparoscopic simulators and 2 virtual reality simulators. In collaboration with the host team, led by then-section head Professor Hammad Ather, we developed a laparoscopic simulation course endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. This initiative aimed to provide residents with fundamental exposure to laparoscopic simulation, a resource scarce in Pakistan.
1st Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Urology Simulation Course
28/29th November 2020
Venue : Centre of Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) ; Agha Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan
Venue: Center of Innovation in Medical Education (CIME); Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan
Course Fee: Non-Profit
Faculty:
Hammad Athar
Raziuddin Bayabani
Zeeshan Aslam
S M Nazim
Imran Jalbani
No. of Delegates: 24 from various institutes across Pakistan
Course Aims and Learning OutcomesThe course aimed to impart core principles of laparoscopy relevant to Urological practice through tutorials, discussions, and simulation exercises on animal tissue models. Delegates were expected to improve their laparoscopic skills and demonstrate proficiency in various techniques.
Following exercises were performed
- Port Placement on synthetic models
- Placement of polo mints
- Scissor cutting of vertical lines
- Dissection skills on chicken models
- Laparoscopic Suturing on small bowel animal models.
Delegate Assessment:
Formal subjective assessments were conducted by the faculty, showing clear improvement in delegates’ performances.
Course Evaluation and Feedback:
Feedback from delegates was overwhelmingly positive.
2nd Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Urology Simulation Course
27/28th Feb2021
The 2nd workshop, once again, saw success, with Professor Ata-ur-Rehman, President-elect of the Pakistan Association of Urological Surgeons, joining the faculty. The addition of lectures on various procedures and anaesthetic considerations enhanced the program. The course was attended by 20 delegates from across Pakistan.
3rd Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Urology Simulation Course
16/17th October 2021
The 3rd workshop, attended by a full capacity of 20 delegates, received positive feedback. Notably, participants from all provinces of Pakistan were represented. Professor Hammad Ather’s continued support made the course accessible to all, fostering enthusiasm among aspiring Urologists. The engagement of AKUH senior residents further highlighted the success of the course.
