GASTROENTEROLOGY

Overview

Fatima Memorial Hospital Gastroenterology-Hepatology unit was established 22 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 over dozens of 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.