Muslim scientists excelled in medieval times

Three-day event on gastrointestinal and liver pathology concludes

LAHORE: Mayo Clinic senior consultant pathologist Saba Yasir said on Wednesday that although many gastrointestinal tissue biopsies and surgical specimens were accurately diagnosed without referral to a gastrointestinal pathologist, certain digestive diseases were histologically subtle or the differential diagnosis was complicated or complex.

Yasir, the facilitator of the workshop, made the comments over the course of a three-day international conference on gastrointestinal and liver pathology organised at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) that concluded on Wednesday. She said in such cases, a close working relationship between the pathologist and gastroenterologist with correlation of clinical, endoscopic, and biopsy findings could be of great benefit to patients.

UHS Pathology Department Head AH Nagi said an increasing trend towards referral of tissue specimens to surgical pathologists with a special interest in gastrointestinal pathology had been engendered by increasing awareness regarding subspecialty gastrointestinal pathology services and patient awareness of laboratory errors.

He stressed that the application of immunochemistry and molecular pathology to conventional morphologic analysis to establish correct diagnosis was mandatory in all sub-specialisations of pathology.

Nadia Naseem, the convener of the workshop, said as many as 75 pathologists had participated in the proceedings. She said over 30 cases of gastrointestinal mucosal biopsies, liver biopsies and pancreatic disorders were presented over the course of the workshop.

The event provided a practical overview for practicing pathologists who routinely encounter gastrointestinal and liver specimens. Interpretations of biopsies of the upper GI tract mucosa and the liver were addressed in addition to recent advances in pancreatic and biliary pathology. Cases were presented to emphasise featured concepts. Those present on the occasion were provided a better understanding of interpreting mucosal biopsies, liver biopsies, pancreatic disorders, contemporary concepts in staging and the application of modern techniques to gastrointestinal disorders.

Separately, noted physicist Arfin Khan Lodhi delivered a lecture on the contribution of medieval sciences towards medicine at the varsity. He said many Muslim scholars had just been doing superficial work in this regard. Lodhi said one needed a sound grounding in religion, science and technology to render a meaningful contribution towards the sphere. He said they also needed to be cognisant of the workings of research. Lodhi said Muslims scientists had excelled in medieval times while retaining faith in Islam.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2015.