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From a small social get-together to By Shaukat Ali Jawaid COVENTRY (UK): Midland Psychiatric Research Group had a very humble beginning. It all started as a small social get-together of psychiatrists of Asian origin practicing in this area seven years ago. Now it has now grown into a well knit, most active organization which holds its annual conference regularly. The importance of their annual conference which has now turned out to be an important international academic event in the psychiatric calendar is evident from the fact that it now attracts guest speakers from many countries. Although Dr. M. Afzal Javed a Pakistani psychiatrist is the moving spirit behind the organization and activities of this group but he is fully supported by many others specially Dr. Asaf Khan also from Pakistan, Prof. R. N. Mohan and Dr. Somasunderam from Sri Lanka who are important pillars of this group.
It is the minute details of the organization of the conference which are personally addressed to by Dr. Afzal Javed and his team, the quality of the scientific programme, social atmosphere, friendship and social networking which it provides that now every one looks towards the dates of this meeting. Ansty Hall Hotel near Coventry is always the venue of this conference but two other nearby hotels are also used to accommodate the participants. It is amazing to see Dr. Afzal Javed personally receiving all the invited guests from overseas, welcoming them at the Railway station those coming through British Rail from London or at the Birmingham Airport. As if this is not enough, he also makes sure to see them off personally. Every year the scientific programme is carefully prepared and only the best speakers in the selected areas are invited. The participation in the conference has been increasing every year and now at times, the organizers have to refuse further registration. The needs of the participants are taken in to account before finalizing the scientific programme. Since all those practicing in UK are supposed to attend a few workshops as per requirement, the organizers have also included interactive workshops on important subjects. For the last two years the theme of the workshops has been Skills Management, Mental Health Law etc., which serves a dual purpose for the participants who do not have to go anywhere else to attend such workshops. Apart from the major issues in psychiatric practice i.e. depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, community services, Mental Health Act and provision of services, newer atypical antipsychotic agents, new research and phase II trials of new psychotropic etc., are covered in detail. The attendance throughout the scientific sessions is always exceptionally good which is indeed very pleasing not only for the organizers but also the invited guest speakers.
This year Prof. Pedro Ruiz President of American Psychiatric Association (APA) was one of the invited guest speakers while Prof. Norman Sartorius the chief of Mental Health in WHO at Geneva was the chief guest and guest speaker in the inaugural session. From this year the organizers also set a new example of recognizing the meritorious services of Asian psychiatrists by honoring them with Life Time Achievement Awards. Five eminent psychiatrists were honoured this year and this practice, the organizers announced, will continue in future as well. This year to begin with it was Dr. Asaf Khan who started the meeting with an introductory address while it was Prof. R. N. Mohan who conducted the programme at the conference Banquet while Dr. Afzal Javed always remains behind the scene. However, every one who comes to the dais gives the entire credit to Dr. Afzal Javed, his wife and other team members for putting up such a wonderful academic and social programme for the last seven years regularly.
Speaking at the Banquet on June 9th, Prof. Pedro Ruiz President of APA commended the quality of the scientific programme of the meeting. Dr. Angelo Barbato from Italy also appreciated the scientific programme, family atmosphere, well attended scientific sessions, active participation by the delegates who asked searching questions which generated lot of discussion. Prof. Russel De’Souza from Australia commended the social networking and felt happy that his brain circulation concept was gaining momentum. Conference Banquet is always followed by a musical programme allowing an opportunity to those interested for “jogging”. However, Dr. Afzal Javed might have to arrange a long rope in future to take care of any one who gets wild.
World Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation also held their meeting during the conference and all the four former Presidents of this Association were present. Dr. Afzal Javed hosted dinner for international delegates on June 7th and June 10th at his residence which was also attended by a few eminent local psychiatrists who are members of this group.
This is a unique group with effective, exceptional organizational capabilities. It has no President, General Secretary or other office bearers. No elections are ever held, there is no nominated, elected or selected leader but everyone works as a like minded group. It offers tremendous opportunities for continued professional development to the participants. Dr. Afzal Javed has mastered the art of effective time management, skillful delegation and personal attention to meticulous details as regards implementation. All this put together has earned this group an international recognition for which Dr. Afzal Javed, Dr. Asaf Khan, Prof. R. N. Mohan, Dr. Somasunderam and all others in the group deserve to be complimented. Their efforts have brought the mental healthcare professional of various South Asian countries much closer and they as a group are doing a commendable job helping promote the cause of psychiatry in different countries in South Asia.
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