The 18th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows (ASCAF) Treasure Base Port Harcourt 2024, themed “Medical Education, Research & Practice: Pushing the frontiers amidst brain drain,” was held from September 19th to 21st at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt. The event attracted a significant turnout of 850 participants, including 789 Fellows and 61 Associate Fellows.
Sub-themes explored during the conference included “Advances in Medical Specialties & Sub-specialties: Learning from experience” and “Leadership & Healthcare: Politics, Policies & Practice.”
The conference showcased 130 Abstracts, comprising 103 oral presentations and 27 posters, highlighting advancements in medical research and practice.
Key Highlights:
• Faculty Day: Leading up to the main conference, various Faculty Day sessions were held on September 16th. Key members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and Principal Officers of the College paid courtesy visits to the Chief Medical Director of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the 18th ASCAF Elder, Sir (Dr) Peter Odili. A press conference was also held.
• Opening Ceremony: The opening ceremony on September 17th featured the 8th Prof. T. O. Ogunlesi Lecture delivered by Dr. AS Akanmu on “Interrogating the Future of HIV/AIDS.” This captivating lecture set the tone for the conference.
• Presidential Plenary Session: A Presidential Plenary Session on Sub-specialization in Nigeria was held on September 18th, featuring distinguished speakers Drs. Eugene Okpere, Bello B. Shehu, Solomon Kadiri, and Dr. Kamar Adeleke.
• Focused Sessions: The conference delved into critical issues including sub-specialization in medicine, advancements in medical specialties, and the complex interplay of leadership, healthcare politics, and policies. An Elders’ Forum also convened to discuss Ethical Challenges in Healthcare.
• Convocation: The 42nd Convocation Ceremony, held on September 22nd was a momentous occasion celebrating the academic achievements of 393 graduands across four categories.
• All Fellows’ Congress: The All Fellows’ Congress took place on Friday, September 20th, with elections conducted in several Faculties, including Anaesthesia, Family Dentistry, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Public Health, ORLHNS, and Orthopaedics.
• Awards and Recognition: The Annual Conference Dinner saw the presentation of prestigious awards, including:
o Best Presentation by Young Fellow: Dr Chioma Okechukwu (Faculty of Paediatrics)
o Best Presentation by Resident: Dr Muniretu Isah & Dr Marian Otalo Orikpete (Faculty of Dental Surgery)
The 18th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows (ASCAF) Treasure Base Port Harcourt 2024 was organised by the Postgraduate Medical College Fellows Association in conjunction with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.