Under the Slogan “We Rebuild with Bone and Willpower”: 12th International Orthopaedic Surgeons Conference Launches in Port SudanReport: Health Correspondent:Port Sudan, Jan. 23, 2025 (SUNA) – Port Sudan hosted the opening of the 12th Sudanese Orthopaedic Surgery Scientific Conference at Al-Rabwa Hotel on Friday under the slogan “We Will Rebuild It with Willpower and Bone.” The event comes at a critical time for Sudan as the war continues to impact the health sector’s infrastructure.The conference aims to rehabilitate damaged orthopaedic hospitals, present the latest research on war injuries, spinal and joint disorders, and train national medical cadres to manage complex cases. Surgeons and professors from Sudan and abroad are participating, with workshops and continuous scientific discussions scheduled through Saturday. The conference will conclude with the release of recommendations to advance the specialty and strengthen the medical sector.Call for a National Orthopaedic Reference CenterProfessor Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim, Minister of Health, emphasized the priority of establishing a specialized national orthopaedic center. He noted that such a facility would localize treatment services while providing an integrated environment for medical education, specialty training, and research, particularly in trauma surgery.The Minister highlighted the strategic role of reference hospitals as primary points for training, setting treatment protocols, and managing the specialty nationwide with modern equipment. He further underscored the need for a trauma hospital in each state, in line with Sudan’s primary healthcare policy.Professor Haitham praised the dedication of consultants and health professionals who continued to deliver services despite limited resources, performing numerous free surgeries. He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to bridging gaps in rare specialties through intensive training programs.Reconstruction: From Willpower to BoneThe Minister explained that the conference slogan symbolizes the broader goal of restoring all health sectors, from medical education to specialized services, and commended associations and advisory councils for their role in equitably distributing health services across Sudan.Training Cadres for War SurgeryDr. Mahmoud Al-Badri, President of the Sudanese Orthopaedic Surgeons Association, highlighted the association’s role in training doctors to handle war injuries and its contribution to treating wounded patients in coordination with Egypt’s medical advisors. He stated that the conference aims to:• Enhance professional performance and scientific research.• Foster communication among researchers and practitioners on the latest orthopaedic advances.• Build partnerships with international associations to improve patient care quality.Overcoming ChallengesDr. Mohamed Kamal Salih, the Association’s Secretary, noted that organizing the conference under current conditions posed significant challenges, especially regarding participation. Nonetheless, collaborative efforts ensured the event’s success, offering a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and engagement with specialized companies to prepare for future needs.FA/BH