SOUTH ASIAN CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH METHODOLOGY WORKSHOP

Introduction

Pakistan is currently witnessing a rising epidemic of non communicable diseases associated with its devastating economic and social impact. As the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in general is not only inadequate but also prohibitively expensive, there is an emergent need to develop and evolve community based preventive strategies. We know, from the Western experience that population based strategies are effective in controlling and reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease. There is clearly an imminent need to evolve effective and comprehensive preventive programme suited to our environment. In this regard cardiovascular research is considered the weakest link. Recognising the need for capacity building and research training of our physicians and cardiologists, Aga Khan University, Pakistan Cardiac Society, SAARC Cardiac Society in collaboration with WHO Collaborating Centre-Pittsburg, USA is organising an eight day workshop on cardiovascular research methodology.

The workshop will impart research skills through a comprehensive training programme conducted by renowned experts from the USA, India and Pakistan. The topic will include basic epidemiology and biostatistics, CVD epidemiology, manuscript writing and concepts of molecular epidemiology and meta analysis. The participants will be selected from all over Pakistan along with few delegates from India, Bangladesh, Srilanka and Nepal. WHO Emro regional coordinator Mr. Nageeb Shorbay has also very kindly consented to actively participate in this workshop. This important academic activity will not only serve to boost research and thus development of comprehensive preventive strategies in cardiovascular health, but this will also provide impetus for regional cooperation.

We will encourage young physicians and scientists with an interest in research and preventive medicine to participate. We have kept only a small registration fee to encourage participation by the young doctors. All the local boarding and lodging expenses will be covered by the organising committee and the participants will only have to arrange for their travel to Karachi.

All the registration forms received by the deadline will be scrutinised by a selection committee which includes international faculty. Carefully chosen participants will be invited to join the workshop. The workshop timing will be 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and will include rigorous training and closely supervised self learning.

I will request to nominate two or three interested candidates from your institution. An important considering for selection may be the ability of the participant to help research development in your institution. The information on this workshop including the registration form is also available on AKU Website (http://www.aku.edu/news/seminars/cardiovascular)

The last date for registration is December 27th, 2004. I apologise for the short notice and look forward to your support for this event.