2nd International Urologists Conference in Khartoum

Sudan has high incidence of patients with kidney stones. It is relevant to know who treats a patient with kidney stones- is he or she an Urologist or a Nephrologist? A Nephrologist is a physician who has been trained in the treatment and management of kidney disorders. A Nephrologist is not a surgeon and will treat kidney disorders by non-surgical methods, such as, regulating blood pressure, regulating electrolytes, balancing fluids in the body, and administering medicines and dialysis.

Urology, on the other hand, is a medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tract. Urologists are surgeons who are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological disorders. Their areas of specialty are the male and female urinary tracts, which include the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. They also treat the male reproductive system.

The Urologists treat kidney stones, prostrate and bladder problems. But when it comes to kidney transplants it is teamwork between a Nephrologist and an Urologist. Similarly, female lower urological problems like incontinence, overactive bladder and painful bladder conditions overlap between the domains of Gynaecologists and Urologists. Thus the pre-conference workshops of the 2^nd International Conference of Sudanese Urological Association was held in collaboration with Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists-Sudan Liaison Group and many Nephrologists including Prof.Omer Aboud attended the Urologists Conference held at Corinthia hotel, Khartoum from 7^th to 9th March’14.

Dr.Nasr Abdelmageed Ramadan – President of Sudanese Urological Association was very pleased with the attendance of the international conference and participation of 15 foreign speakers. The topics discussed ranged from new methods of kidney stone management to treatment of prostate cancer and bladder cancer.

Dr.Anil Mithani Consultant Urologist at Omdurman Teaching Hospital and Treasurer of the Urological Association seemed happy in company of three Indian Urologists attending the conference. Dr.Janak Desai from Ahmedabad, India stayed back in Khartoum to perform a few difficult surgeries at the Military Hospital. Dr.Desai has patented a unique method of key hole surgery for kidney stone removal with a telescope of the size of a ball pen refill and breaks the stone by Laser. The device is called UMP (Ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy) and a revolutionary new system which requires no stitch and the patient is back in action within 24 hours.