Department of Gastroenterology

Fatima Memorial Hospital Gastroenterology-Hepatology unit was established 16 years ago by Prof Arif Amir Nawaz. He returned to his homeland after spending more than one decade training as an Internist and Gastroenterologist in the US and painstakingly built the department at Fatima Memorial Hospital into a state-of-the-art facility that it is now. The department is recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for the 3 year training program for fellowship in Gastroenterology. It is also recognized by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council for undergraduate teaching of students of Fatima Memorial Medical and Dental College, Lahore. There are five residents working towards a fellowship in Gastroenterology and the department is proud to have already trained seven Gastroenterologists who are now providing services to people in their native cities. All three consultants are actively involved in academics and teach undergraduate students of MBBS and BDS in the clinical years. The department also has a Specialist Registrar who has special interest in research, postgraduate and undergraduate teaching.

The Gastroenterology department at Fatima Memorial Hospital provides endoscopy services, round the clock emergency services, indoor, including intensive care services and outdoor two times a week. There is close liaison with other departments in management of patients who might also have Gastroenterology-Hepatology related issues. The consultants are also available for private consultation within the hospital. There is an ever growing patient load in all these modalities of service.

Endoscopy services include diagnostic esophagogastroscopy, endoscopic variceal therapy, endoscopic band ligation, balloon and bougie dilation of strictures, colonoscopy, polypectomies and hemostasis through Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC), heater probe and hemoclipping. Advanced endoscopic services such as placement of PEG tubes for feeding and metallic esophageal stents for esophageal cancers are also available. Since the department boasts of a qualified female gastroenterologist, colonoscopy in complete privacy is provided to women who would prefer a woman to examine them.

Fluoroscopic procedures offered consist of Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography and pneumatic dilation of achalasia cardia. Stones in the common bile duct are removed via ERCP and plastic biliary stents are used to relieve obstruction due to benign or malignant strictures in the biliary tract. Expertise at placing metallic biliary stents is also available.

 

Prof. Arif Amir Nawaz
Head, Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology
FACP FACG

Dr. Aftab Haider Alvi
Associate Professor Gastroenterology-Hepatology
FCPS (Med), FCPS (Gastroenterology-Hepatology)

Dr. Bushra Ali
Assistant Professor Gastroenterology-Hepatology
MCPS (Med), FCPS (Med), FCPS (Gastroenterology-Hepatology)

Sr. No Topic Status of publication

 

Type of journal

 

Journal Year Impact Factor Index
1. A four year ERCP profile of tertiary care hospital; indications and diagnosis Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 2018 ——– Vol 12 Jan – March 2018

Pages  355-58

2. Frequency of rebleeding after successful endoscopic management of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients Indo American journal of pharmaceutical sciences 2018 3.562 Vol 5 Nov-Page 12064-12068
3. Efficacy of rectal indomethacin in prevention of post ERCP pancreatitis Indo American journal of pharmaceutical sciences 2018 3.562 Vol 5 Nov-Page 12069-12074
4 Deeper sedation by Anesthesia staff results in improved procedural outcome and enhances patient safety; A comparison of ERCP outcomes with conscious sedation and monitored anesthesia care

 

Pakistan journal of medical and health sciences

 

2018 ——- Vol 12 Jan- Mar Page 359-361

 

There is considerable focus on research with particular focus on chronic liver disease that includes viral hepatitis B and C and cirrhosis. The department is credited with several research publications in peer reviewed journals and regularly contributes to poster presentations in local and international Gastroenterology-Hepatology conferences. There is close collaboration with a Gujranwala based NGO (PARSA trust based in Al Raee hospital Gujranwala) that provides diagnostic and treatment facilities to poor hepatitis B and C patients. The Clinical Director Dr Asad Chaudhry is visiting faculty member at Fatima Memorial Hospital and the department also provides human resource support to the organization. Dr. Mudasser Sheikh, a prominent Gastroenterologist in Lahore is also a faculty member and is always ready to impart his knowledge and experience with residents working in the department. Free liver clinic is held during OPD for deserving patients in collaboration with the NGO “The Health Foundation.”

The department envisions the creation of a Liver Transplant Centre which, to start with, would evaluate patients and their donors for liver transplantation and also provide them with post liver transplant advice and management. This will be further expanded into carrying out indigenous liver transplants in collaboration with Department of Surgery. Endoscopic Ultrasound is also a service that the department would like to start in the near future.

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