Confederacion Unificada Bioquimica de la Republica
Argentina
Contributed by Dr.
Carlos Navarro,CUBRA President
and María Alejandra Arias, Treasurer
National Institutions
positions
Clinical biochemistry is directly
related to scientific and technological development, as witnessed
by events that have taken place during the ninety-two year history
of the discipline in our country. More tangibly, is to observe the
constant transition of techniques and methods used in the
biochemical laboratory in the last three decade. Enzymatic methods
have superseded colorimetric ones, end-point reactions have been
replaced by automated kinetics. Even more striking is the
successful deciphering of the human genome that has opened the the
way to the clinical application of molecular biology and has
allowed to bring our profession to the forefront of projects
seeking to tailor treatments to individuals.
These developments underline the need of a continuous training
process to assure the competency and professionnal development of
clinical biochemists. We achieve this by promoting and supporting
scientific and academic events that are acessible to all
colleagues.
While technology development
contributes to the improvement of the medical laboratory
efficiency from the pre-analytical to post-analytical processes,
the importance of the professionnals should not be underestimated
as they are the key players in selecting the appropriate analytical
methods, in ensuring reliable results and in foreseeing the
upcoming new diagnotic tests. They are thereby the promise to
better health management through the clinicians.
The following recently held events
attest of our commitments to our mission.
Career Award to Professor
Dr. Hector Oscar Fay given at IXth National Meeting of
the University Professionals
As President of the Unified
Biochemical Confederation of the Argentine Republic (CUBRA), I had
the honor of giving the 2011 Career Award to Professor Dr. Hector
Oscar Fay, a prominent Argentine biochemist, during the
IXth National Meeting of the University Professionals
organized by the General Confederation of Professionals (CGP) held
in September in Rosario (Sante Fe).
Dr. Fay has been active in the many
areas of laboratory medicine. He is particularly renowned for his
contributions to the epidemiology of viral diseases affecting
the liver in Latin America, and to the implementation of the WHO
immunization programs in Africa, China, America, including the
English-speaking Caribbean and countries of Eastern Europe. He has
also been a member of the Task Force for vaccination against viral
hepatitis B in Amazonia.
Besides his responsibilities at the
Universidad Nacional de Rosario, he was Chancellor of Latin America
at the International Society of Hepatology (IASLD) and advisor to
the Committee on Viral Hepatitis OPS (PAHO) and a Member of the
Program in Health Technology Appropiate (WHO), the PATH Task
Force.
Certification process in
Clinical Biochemistry presented at the regular meeting of the
National Advisory Committee on the Exercise of University Graduate
Careers
The Ministry Health of the Nation's
Subcommittee on Biochemistry of the National Advisory Committee on
the Exercise of Professions Bachelor's Degree in Health that
included representatives of the Agency coordinating academic units
of Pharmacy and Biochemistry (ECUAFyB), the Unified Biochemical
Confederation of the Argentine Republic (CUBRA), the Coordinator of
Colleges of Law Biochemist and the Argentina Biochemistry
Association (ABA) presented documents on the Certification process
in Clinical Biochemistry during the regular meeting of the National
Advisory Committee on the Exercise of University Graduate Careers
in Health last September.
During the same meeting, Tthe document
MR 1337/2011 recognizing the multi-professional specialties:
Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Services Management and Audit
of Health Services was reported to be approved.
Discussion on the
3rd Edition of ISO / DIS 15189 at a plenary session of
the Argentine Institute of Standardization and Certification
(IRAM)
The Unified Biochemical Confederation
of the Argentine Republic, particpated last October, to a plenary
session organized by the Argentine Institute of Standardization and
Certification (IRAM) on the 3rd Edition of ISO / DIS
15189.
The XIth
Biochemist National Congress: A success.
The 11th edition of the
Biochemist National Congress, held in Jujuy, Northwest Argentina,
last October 2011 offered the attendees, coming from Argentina and
the neighbouring countries, an array of symposia, workshops and
roundtables of outstanding quality. The lectures, given by
experienced professionals belonging to recognized academic and
scientific institutions, covered the latest advances in biochemical
science as well as practical aspects of the profession. The
corporations are wholeheartedly thanked for their remarkable
contribution, through the exhibits, without which the congress
could not have been held. The warm welcome of the colleagues and
the stunning setting of the Province of Jujuy were
noteworthy.
News from the Urugayan Society of Clinical Chemistry
Contributed by Dra Ana
Piana, Member of the eNewsletter Working Group
The 8th Uruguayan Congress
of Clinical Biochemistry organized by the Uruguayan Association of
Biochemistry (ABU) took place in Montevideo, (Uruguay) under the
auspices Government Institutions, Uruguayan professional
associations, IFCC and COLABIOCLI. Fourteen IVD corporations were
also present and provided much needed funding.
The four hundred participants
benefited from lectures delivered by world-known foreign speakers.
It is noteworthy to underline the lecture and expert interventions
of Dr. Janet Smith the visiting lecturer from IFCC. This scientific
event consisting of two pre-congress courses, eighteen symposia and
five plenary sessions was complemented by social activities that
allowed friendly scientific and cultural exchanges.
News from the Syrian Clinical Laboratory Association
(SCLA)
Changes in the SCLA
Executive Board
A ballot held last March that included all SCLA branches has
brought changes in the composition of the Executive Board.
The incoming President is Dr. Mohamad
N. Tinawi and the new Secretary is Dr. Esa Alshekha. Any
communication should be addressed to the SCLA Office: Syrian
Clinical Laboratory Association P.O. Box 7671 - Damascus, Syria.
e-mail : scla@scla.org.sy
Croatian Society of Medical Biochemists
Contributed by Ana-Maria
Simundic, IFCC eNewsletter WG Member,
Editor-in-Chief Biochemia Medica
Biochemia Medica (URL is: http://biochemia-medica.com/)
indexed in Medline
Dear colleagues and friends,
As Editor-in-Chief, it is my pleasure
and honor to announce that Biochemia Medica (http://www.biochemia-medica.com/)
has just been accepted for indexing in the Medline database,
starting from the current year (2011). Abstracts in
PubMed will be visible by the end of the year. I wish to thank
to all who have contributed to this great success. Journal impact
factor (IF) for 2010 is 1.085
The Journal is the official
peer-reviewed journal of the Croatian Society of Medical
Biochemists. Its scope is to provide a wide coverage of research in
all aspects of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. The
following domains of laboratory medicine are covered: general
clinical chemistry, haematology and haemostasis, molecular
diagnostics, immunology, analytical toxicology, neurobiochemistry,
endocrinology, analytical techniques, laboratory organization and
management, laboratory automation, method validation, quality
management and evidence based laboratory medicine.
Nepal Association for Medical Laboratory Sciences (NAMLS)
Contributed by Binod Kumar
Yadav, President and Rojeet Shrestha, Secretary NAMLS
Proceeding of Annual Report of NAMLS, 2010
The annual general meeting of NAMLS
was held on February 6, 2010 at the C&W conference hall, Kings
Way, Kathmandu with theme of "Laboratory Medicine in Nepal:
Achievements and Remaining Challenges". Two hundred and
fifty-six participants registered for the meeting from the whole
country. Ten IVD companies and distributers participated to the
clinical laboratory expo. The conference was divided into the
inaugural, plenary, scientific, business and election sessions.
Inaugural
Session
Mr Birendra Raj Tiwari, President of
NAMLS, chaired the meeting and Prof Bharat Jha, founder president
of NAMLS, opened the inaugural Session as distinguished guest.
High-ranking dignitaries from the Ministry of Health and
Population, Chairmen of professional councils, Presidents of
different professional associations, Representative from National
Public Health Laboratory, prestigious professionals, professors and
scientist of laboratory medicine and former Presidents of NAMLS
participated to this event. The session started with the lighting
of the traditional lamp by the Chief Guest, followed by the reading
of the letter from the President of APFCB by Ms. Jyoti Acharya.
Prof Dr Shiba Kumar Rai, Past-President of Nepal Health
professional Council (NHPC) and NAMLS highlighted the some of the
remarkable achievement we have made since 25 years in the field of
laboratory medicine. Representatives from different professional
associations have expressed their views about role of quality
health laboratory and its importance in better patient care. Prof
Dr S.K. Rai showed the official publication of NAMLS- Journal of
NAMLS 2009 Vol 10 No1. The President closed the inaugural session
by highlighting the work done by NAMLS.
Plenary Session
Prof Bharat Jha, Head of the
Department of Biochemistry, TU Teaching Hospital and Prof Dr N.R.
Tuladhar, Assistant Dean of Kathmandu University, School of
Medicine co-chaired the plenary session. Mr Binod Kumar Yadav,
General Secretary of NAMLS presented on "Remaining Challenges in
Laboratory Medicine: A long way to walk", and emphasized the
adaptation of emerging laboratory techniques and automation as an
important aspect in the development of quality assurance in
laboratory medicine.
Scientific
Session
Prof Dr S.K. Rai and Mr Birendra
Tiwari co-chaired the scientific session for which 10 scientific
papers from different parts of country were presented.
Business
session
The business session was started at
4:00 PM. All central committee members, regional members, Past
presidents, organizing committee, editorial board, life members and
general members participated the session. President Tiwari
presented a briefing on the work and activities if the NAMLS in the
year of 2009. Mr Binod K Yadav, general secretary, then presented
his report followed by the financial report by Mr Rojeet Shrestha,
Treasurer.
Election
session
The 7th Executive committee
was formed with the election of Mr Binod K Yadav as President of
7th Central Committee, Mr K.P. Singh as Vice-President,
Mr Rajan Kumar Dahal and Mr Rojeet Shrestha as General Secretary
and Secretary respectively, and Miss Sarada Bajracharya as
treasurer. Seven central members and regional members for different
part of countries were also nominated.
Closing
ceremony
The annual meeting of NAMLS 2010 was
officially closed with remarks and suggestions to newly formed body
of NAMLS, from eminent personalities in laboratory medicine
including Mr Jayabin Singh, and Mr Ganesh Acharya.
Prof Bharat Jha, founder
president of NAMLS, opening the inaugural Session.
From Left to right: Sarda
Bajracharya (Treasurer), Rojeet Shrestha(Secretary), K.P.
Singh(Vice-President),
Binod Kumar Yadav (President), Rajan dahal (General Secretary)
NAMLS activities in promoting Laboratory
medicine
Mr. Binod Yadav, President of NAMLS,
Mr.Puspa Raj Khanal, member of NAMLS, participated in the meeting
of the National Health Laboratory Policy organized by the Nepal
Public Health Laboratory and the Nepal Health Ministry. Mr. Binod
Yadav submitted the NAMLS view for the National Health Laboratory
Policy.
A number of NAMLS members have
actively participated in the IFCC, AACC and APFCB the international
clinical chemistry conferences. They are grateful for the financial
support they received from each of these international bodies.
These NAMLS activities and the support
of international organizations are essential for the improvement of
the quality of Nepalese medical laboratory services.
XXVII Biochemical Day in Banja Luka
Prepared by Snežana
Jovičić
Institute of Medical Biochemistry
Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
The end of October was the time when
medical biochemists from Serbia, traditionally, had the pleasure to
socialize with their colleagues from Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The Association of Medical Biochemists of Republic of
Srpska and the Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia organized
joint meeting, XXVII Biochemical Day, on October 28th in
Banja Luka, the capital of Republic of Srpska. There were around
100 participants from Serbia, Republic of Srpska and Federation of
Bosnia and Herzegovina. The topic of this year's meeting was
"Dilemmas and progress in determination of some biomarkers: present
state". After opening remarks by the president of the Society of
Medical Biochemists of Serbia, professor Nada Majkić-Singh, the
lecturers from Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Clinical Centre
of Serbia and Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade,
presented the latest novelties in biochemical prenatal screening
strategies (professor Svetlana Ignjatović), clinical use of
high-sensitivity troponin assays (ass. Sanja Stanković), present
issues in vitamin D determination (assistant professor Duško
Mirković) and the use of C-reactive protein values as a guide for
statin therapy in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
complications (Snežana Jovičić). Beside this official part, this
was the great opportunity to exchange experience and get up-to-date
with current issues in clinical laboratory practice between these
two biochemical communities in neighboring countries.
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Photo 3: From left to right: Dr
Sanja Avram-Šolaja (President of the Association of Medical
Biochemists of Republic of Srpska), Prof. Dr Svetlana Ignjatović,
Sanja Stanković, Prof. Dr Nada Majkić-Singh (president of the
Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia) and Dr Velibor Canić
(president of Chamber of Biochemists of Serbia).
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