The Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries inaugurated a training programme on 17 November in Lusaka, the capital of the Republic of Zambia. The programme consists of eight training courses for gastroenterologists at Augustine Hospital and the University Hospital of Zambia, in cooperation with the Zambian Society of Gastroenterology and the African–Middle Eastern Association of Gastroenterology. In addition to delivering scientific lectures and providing practical training, the participating physicians will perform endoscopic procedures on a number of critically ill Zambian patients. The programme will run through 21 November.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Ambassador Mohannad Saleh Lajouzi, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and Director-General of the Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries, representing His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. Also in attendance were the President of the Zambian Society of Gastroenterology and a number of senior officials and hospital directors from Zambia.
In his address, Ambassador Lajouzi conveyed the greetings of His Excellency Mr. Aboul Gheit to the attendees. He expressed his hope that the participants would make full use of this initiative to enhance their professional skills and competencies, stressing the Secretary-General’s commitment to supporting African professionals in various fields, particularly medicine. He also outlined the activities undertaken by the Fund and affirmed its continued technical support to its African counterparts, pledging to repeat the initiative in the future to help strengthen the skills of Zambian doctors.
For his part, the President of the Zambian Society of Gastroenterology delivered a speech welcoming the delegation from the League of Arab States and the members of the African–Middle Eastern Association. He commended the initiative undertaken by the League of Arab States and its partners, noting that it is being implemented for the first time in Zambia to enhance the skills of specialist physicians through the participation of Arab experts. He also expressed his hope for continued support through training for hospital-based physicians in the field of gastroenterology, given the urgent need for qualified medical personnel in several specialties.
At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, and on behalf of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, the Assistant Secretary-General presented a commemorative shield to the President of the Zambian Association, who reiterated his sincere gratitude to the League of Arab States, represented by the Arab Fund, for this valued initiative and to all participants.
