MUSCAT -- Dr Ahmed bin Abdulqadir al Ghassani, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Health, yesterday presided over the opening ceremony of the second national public healthcare conference at Sultan Qaboos University. Dr Ali bin Saud bin Ali al Bimani, Vice-Chancellor of SQU, was present. The conference is organised by the Department of Primary Health, Ministry of Health and Department of Family and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, SQU. The theme of the conference is PHC and hamily physicians: Role and rmpowerment.
Dr Mohammed al Shafaee, Head of the Department of Family and Public Health, SQU, said the conference would discuss the progress of primary healthcare in the Sultanate, ways to develop services provided at health centres and approaches to treat chronic diseases as well as the role of family physicians at health centres. Dr Ali al Jaffer, Adviser for Health Affairs, delivered a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Dr Jeehan Tawilah spoke on behalf of the World Health Organisation. Dr Tawfik Khoja, Director-General, GCC Executive Board, also addressed the gathering.
Scientific sessions and discussions will focus on 'PHC innovations and experiences', 'patient care', 'integration of specialty care at public health centres in Oman. More than 100 doctors from the Ministry of Health and other health institutions in the Sultanate are attending the two-day conference, along with participants from the GCC states.
Exhibition showcase Asia: Dr Tahar Baomar, Academic Adviser at Sultan Qaboos University, yesterday inaugurated an exhibition titled Asia: The Gate of History. The event is organised by the Archaeology Society functioning under the Deanship of Student Affairs of SQU. Exhibits representing India, China, Iran Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine have showcased the cultural heritage and history of these nations. The Indian pavilion consists of a typical Indian house, cuisines and textile varieties.
The musical and art traditions and tourism potentials are also highlighted. The Iranian stall depicts the country's textile embroidery patterns and carpets apart from its tourist spots. The pavilion of China displays pottery, textiles, currencies, coins, stamps and light patterns. The rich cultural traditions of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine are also well featured. The exhibition will continue till April 9.
Photography week begins: The 11th photography week, organised by the Photography Group of Sultan Qaboos University, was opened by Dr Tahar Baomar, Academic Adviser of SQU. This year, the group has introduced its accomplishments in three fields -- photography, digital photography, and television. The photography section features as many as 50 works, including its annual project The University Panorama. The panorama section has some 12 creations. Four to five digital frames are blended using computer software to form a larger frame in each panorama work. For all the frames, the university campus is the subject.
The digital photography section displays 14 individual works as well as their project on advertisement designs. The television section has five video footages to its credit. A symposium will be held on the topic 'the intellectual property rights of photographs'. The week-long event also includes two discussion panels: 'how to be a professional photographer', and 'how to document your work successfully'. A lecture on criminal photography will also be delivered. The Omani Film Society will be invited to present some works of its members.
© Oman Daily Observer 2008
