Australian Islamic Medical Association AIMA
By: Dr Sohel Modan
The Australian Islamic Medical Association (AIMA) South Australia charter held a highly informative symposium on Saturday 11 May 2024 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, featuring a diverse range of discussions on metabolic syndrome and obesity by prominent physicians, surgeons, psychiatrists, and allied health professionals.
The event began in typical AIMA tradition with a Quranic recitation, focusing on verses from Surah Alaq, followed by its English Tafseer by Dr Mohamed Elwakil, AIMA SA president. The introduction highlighted AIMA’s role, existence, and importance within the wider Australian community, emphasising its core belief to unite, inspire, and serve the community.
With over 100 participants attending in person and an additional number joining online from around the globe, the symposium saw a diverse mix of general practitioners, specialists, allied health professionals, and medical students. The event was approved for continuing professional development (CPD) points by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
The day was structured into three insightful sessions, each logically progressing and referencing the previous one. Each session generated many questions from the crowd, which were discussed engagingly, and concluded with presentations from sponsors. All speakers had extensive academic profiles, robust research backgrounds, and were prominent specialists in their areas.
Session 1: Metabolic Syndrome
The morning session laid the foundation with Dr Tien Lee, an endocrinologist, discussing the definition, epidemiology, and pathophysiology, setting a foundational tone for the symposium. Associate Professor Prashant Tibrewal, a psychiatrist, followed with a talk on the psychiatric aspects of obesity and metabolic syndrome, emphasising the importance of mental health in this space.
Session 2: Chronic Diseases Associated with Metabolic Syndrome
After the tea break, the focus shifted to chronic diseases linked to metabolic syndrome. Dr Tien Lee delved into metabolic syndrome and diabetes, while Dr Zafar Usmani, a respiratory and sleep physician, addressed obesity and sleep apnea. Dr Kashif Khokhar, a cardiologist specialising in electrophysiology, then discussed obesity and atrial fibrillation. Dr Adam Nelson, an interventional cardiologist, concluded the session with a talk on non-statin therapies for LDL-C lowering, clarifying recent data and recommendations.
Session 3: Weight Management
After Dhuhr prayer and lunch, the afternoon session commenced. It began with Dr Salim Chaloob, a bariatric surgeon, who discussed metabolic bariatric procedures and their indications. Dr Jessica Weekes, a bariatric medical practitioner and dietician Adeline Wong focused on pre- and post-operative management offering a comprehensive reference to the medical and surgical management approaches for weight management.
The symposium, led by Dr Abdul Rauf Sheikh, a prominent cardiologist and AIMA SA CME Coordinator, along with the AIMA SA committee, was a resounding success. It showcased significant in-person attendance, a substantial online presence, and numerous sponsors. The involvement of many non-Muslim presenters and attendees, reflecting AIMA SA’s inclusive and collaborative spirit.
