Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XVIII - n. 4 - December 005

MBC NEWS

The Mediterranean council for Burns and fire disasters scholarships for physicians, nurses, and relevant health personnel 2006

The Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters (MBC) awards ten annual Scholarships for specialization in the prevention, therapy, care and functional recovery in the field of burn pathology. The scholarships are divided between physicians, nurses, and relevant health personnel. The purpose of the awards, in accordance with the terms of the statutes of the MBC, is to promote the interchange of young physicians, nurses, and relevant health personnel from specialized centres in the various countries in the Mediterranean area with the aim of achieving a high standard of care and of stimulating an ever greater spirit of cooperation.

The value of each Scholarship is fixed at the sum of € 2,065. This amount is intended to cover the cost of the return journey and living expenses.

The Scholar has the obligation to attend abroad, for not less than one month, a qualified Centre for the treatment of Burns and their sequelae, situated in one of the countries comprising the Mediterranean Burns Council.

All physicians, nurses, and relevant health personnel from countries belonging to the Mediterranean Burns Council are eligible to compete for the Scholarships.

Applications, written in English or French, must arrive by the deadline of 28th February of each year (no account can be taken of any postal delays), addressed to: Segreteria, Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters “Borsa di Studio”, c/o Divisione di Chirurgia Plastica e Terapia delle Ustioni, Ospedale Civico, via C. Lazzaro, 90125 Palermo, Italy.

The candidate must specify in the application which Scholarship he or she is applying for (Physicians, Nurses, Health Personnel) and include the following:

• full name, date and place of birth, home address, and telephone number;
• the country and the Centre which the applicant intends to visit;
• a brief programme describing the aims which the candidate intends to pursue with the support of the Scholarship;
• a statement by the candidate of competence in a language (English or French) necessary for carrying out the activity described in the programme;
• the candidate’s signature legally authenticated.

All candidates must enclose with the application:

1. curriculum vitae, indicating academic record, professional activity, attendance at seminars etc.;
2. a declaration of acceptance and training hospitality on the part of the Host Centre which the candidate intends to visit;
3. recent letters of introduction (in the original or in authenticated copies) from Chiefs of Institutes, Divisions or Services with connected Burns Centre, who are members of the Council, attesting to periods of training confirming the candidate’s specific preparation in the field of burn pathology;
4. list of qualifications;
5. for physicians, additionally;
   • degree diploma (with marks), in authenticated copy
   • scientific papers, published since graduation
   • certificate of introduction or of guarantee issued by the Chief of the Institute, Division or Service where the candidate is currently working.

The Adjudicating Committee is composed of:

• The President of the Mediterranean Council
• The Secretary General of the Mediterranean Council
• A National Representative drawn by lot in the course of the Annual Assembly from among the representatives of the various countries which have not already received scholarships in previous years. This position is not renewable until, in the course of time, the individual countries have achieved equal representation.

The Scholarships will be awarded not later than 30th June each year.

The winners will be informed that within 30 days they must communicate to the Secretariat of the MBC their acceptance, the address of the bank where they wish to have the scholarship money deposited, the period they have chosen to take up the scholarship, and a declaration by the candidate that he or she does not have a criminal record.

The Scholarship must be taken up by 30th May of the year following the award, at the latest.

The Mediterranean Burns Council will credit in advance two-thirds of the amount by bank transfer, and the remainder on termination of the period chosen, after a declaration of satisfactory attendance issued by the Chief of the Centre where the programme was carried out.

The Scholarship winner must inform the Secretariat of the Mediterranean Council “Borsa di Studio” of the beginning of the period of attendance and of any interruptions.

The Mediterranean Burns Council undertakes to publish the Scholarship winners’ name, together with relative motivations, in the “Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters”, in which the Club may also publish papers resulting from this study.

Any person interested may request a copy of the official announcement of the Scholarships and other information from the Secretariat of the Mediterranean Burns Council “Borsa di Studio”.

The President
Michele MASELLIS M.D.

Le Conseil MÉditerranÉen des BrÛlures et Desastres d’incendie bourses d’etudes pour medecins, infirmiers et membres du corps medical en rapport 2006

Le Conseil Méditerranéen des Brûlures et de Désastres d’Incendie (MBC) offre dix bourses d’études de spécialisation chaque année pour la prévention, la thérapie, les soins et le recouvrement fonctionnel en matière de pathologie des brûlures.

Les bourses sont réparties entre médecins, infirmiers et membres du corps médical de compétence. Elles ont pour but, selon les termes des statuts du MBC, de promouvoir l’échange de jeunes médecins, infirmiers et personnel du corps médical de compétence des centres spécialisés entre les différents pays du bassin méditerranéen dans le but d’atteindre un haut niveau en matière de soins médicaux et pour favoriser l’esprit de coopération.

Le montant de chaque bourse s’élève a € 2.065. Cette somme permettra de payer le billet de voyage aller-retour et les frais de séjour.

Le boursier devra obligatoirement fréquenter à l’étranger, pendant pas moins d’un mois, un centre spécialisé dans le traitement des brûlures et de leurs séquelles, situé dans l’un des pays appartenant au Conseil Méditerranéen des Brûlures.

Tous les médicins, les infirmiers et le personnel du corps médical de compétence des pays faisant partie du Conseil peuvent poser leur candidature.

Les demandes, écrites en anglais ou en français, doivent parvenir avant le 28 février de chaque année (on ne tiendra pas compte des retards de la poste) et seront adressées à: Conseil Méditerranéen des Brûlures et de Désastres d’Incendie “Borsa di Studio”, c/o Divisione di Chirurgia Plastica e Terapia delle Ustioni, Ospedale Civico, via C. Lazzaro, 90125 Palermo, Italy.

Le candidat devra spécifier dans sa demande quelle bourse il-elle sollicite (médecins, infirmiers, personnel sanitaire) et indique ce qui suit:

• nom et prénom, date et lieu de naissance, domicile et numéro de téléphone;
• le pays et le centre où le candidat désire se rendre;
• un bref exposé des projets que le candidate entend réaliser grâce à cette bourse;
• déclaration par le candidat de connaître bien la langue (anglais ou français) nécessaire pour la réalisation des activités énoncées dans l’exposé;
• la signature du candidat dûment légalisée.

Le candidat devra joindre à la demande:

1. un curriculum vitae décrivant le cours de ses études, son activité professionelle, sa participation à des séminaires etc;
2. la déclaration de la part du Centre hospitalier où le candidat désire se rendre que sa demande a été acceptée;
3. quelques lettres de présentation récentes (documents originaux ou copies authentifiées) de directeurs d’Institut, de Division ou de Services avec des Centres annexes pour les brûlures, qui soient Membres du Conseil, attestant que le candidat a fait des stages dans ces centres pour parfaire sa spécialisation dans la domaine de la pathologie des brûlures;
4. liste des titres;
5. les médecins devront ajouter:
   • copie authentifiée du diplôme de doctorat (avec notes)
   • ouvrages scientifiques publiés après le doctorat en médecine
   • attestation de présence du chef d’Institut, de Division ou de Service où le candidat travaille au moment présent.

La Commission-Juge est composée:

• du Président du Conseil Méditerranéen
• du Secrétaire Général du Conseil Méditerranéen
• d’un représentant national tiré au sort au cours de l’Assemblée Générale parmi les représentants des differents pays n’ayant pas encore gagné de bourses d’étude durant les années precédentes.

Chaque pays devant atteindre le même nombre de représentation, celle-ci ne pourra être renouvelée qu’après égalité.

Les bourses seront attribuées pas plus tard que le 30 juin de chaque année.

Les gagnants seront informés qu’ils devront, sous les 30 jours, communiquer au Secrétariat de l’MBC leur acceptation, l’adresse de la banque où ils désirent que soit versé le montant de la bourse, la période qu’ils ont choisie pour retirer cette bourse, et un extrait du casier judiciaire que le candidat n’a commiss aucun délit.

Le gagnant ne pourra plus bénéficier de la bourse après le 30 mai de l’année suivante.

Le Conseil Méditerranéen versera sur le compte bancaire du gagnant les deux tiers du montant de la bourse et le reste à la fin de la période choisie, sous présentation d’un certificat d’assiduité délivré par le Directeur du Centre que le boursier aura fréquenté.

Le boursier devra informer le Secrétariat de la “Borsa di Studio” MBC du début de la période de service et de toute interruption.

Le Conseil Méditerranéen s’engage à publier le nom des boursiers ainsi que leurs motivations dans “Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters”, où le Council pourra aussi publier les ouvrages résultant de leurs études.

Toute personne intéressée peut demander une copie de l’avis de concours et toute autre information au Secrétariat de la “Borsa di Studio” du Conseil Méditerranéen.

The secretary general
Bishara ATIYEH M.D.

Professor Radana Königová, MD, PhD, approached her 75th birthday

In the midst of unflagging work and unceasing pedagogical activity, a prominent figure of Czech medicine, Professor Radana Königová, an enthusiastic doctor with dedication to her work, devotion to her patients and colleagues, and the highest professional, moral, and ethical qualities, approached a significant milestone in her life.

Radana Königová was born in Prague on 31 July 1930. She graduated from the Charles University Medical Faculty in Prague in 1955. She was placed in the Podbo½any District Hospital, where she started work as a house doctor in the Department of Surgery. After two years she transferred to Karlovy Vary. She gained the general surgery accreditation in 1958. In 1962 she was accepted into the Department of Plastic Surgery of Charles University in Prague, led by Prof. Burian. She participated in all aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery and led clinical research in the Burns Division. She gained her plastic surgery accreditation in 1966. Burian soon recognized the great talent, extraordinary capacity for hard work, and diligence of the young doctor. In 1969 Dr Königová was asked to establish an intensive care unit for critically burned patients. When she was Head of this department, Dr Königová built up a multidisciplinary team for the treatment of critically burned patients. She promoted the principle of complex and continual care for burn patients and developed a broad interdisciplinary team. In 1990 she passed a selection board and became Head of the new independent Department of Burns Medicine at the Third Medical Faculty of Charles University. In 1992 she was appointed Professor of Plastic Surgery and Burns Medicine. She led the Department until 1996. She remained, however, at the Department, still teaching students and training doctors.

When such a prominent person reaches a significant stage in her life, it is an opportunity for reflection. It is traditional to list achievements in care, lectures and publications, pedagogical activity, and scientific research. Prof. Königová has achieved exceptional levels in all these areas of her work. Numerous pages would hardly suffice to list the lectures, publications, final-research reports, treatises, monographs, and the chapters in them; nor would the teaching texts, of which Prof. Königová is author or co-author or the lists of professional societies, organizations, and committees in which the Professor still actively participates. Prof. Königová is reputed as an excellent surgeon and as a doctor with great empathy for patients. She has taken care of many of her patients all their lives - sometimes since their childhood when they suffered serious burn injury causing permanent consequences. On occasion, multiple operations during their lives have allowed them to lead a tolerable life, without which they would have been condemned to social death. Patients and colleagues, as well as students, honour and praise Prof. Königová for her deeply humane attitude. Her many scientific publications at home and abroad lead off with four of her treatises that have become a professional basis for the treatment of burn patients in Czechoslovakia and contributed to a step-up in scholarly learning for everyone engaged in this field, as also for other specialists. In addition to creating a national concept in the care of burn patients, Prof. Königová has contributed meaningfully to the development of a burns care system in India, Cuba, and Columbia, where she was invited to advise as an expert. In the Czech Republic and in Europe, Prof. Königová has achieved many significant scientific and societal recognitions. Among those she values most is the Gold Commemorative Medal - the Alma Mater - of Charles University. In 1995 the Czech Republic nominated her for the title of Woman of Europe, in which she was awarded second place. On 6 March 2004, the President of the Czech Medical Chamber momentously appointed Prof. Königová the first female Knight of the Czech Medical Society for exceptional lifelong work in the field of burns treatment, to which she has devoted the bulk of her life and in which she has become a respected worldwide expert. In 1993 she was awarded the G. Whitaker International Burns Prize. On 28 October 2004, she was awarded the Order of Merit, presented personally by the President of the Czech Republic. She was commended for her lifelong medical, pedagogical, and scientific work, as a living monument to Czech medicine and to its representation worldwide.

Prof. Königová is not only an exceptional doctor but also a noble person. She is admired for her lifelong moral stability, honour, and sheer quality of character. Her work is timeless; her expertise in it is respected at all continents. Prof. Königová’s life is a story of devotion: to her work, to her family, to colleagues, but above all to her patients. She remains in daily contact with students, patients, and colleagues at the Department she founded and where the majority of members consider themselves still her pupils.

Associate Professor Leo Klein, MD, PhD
Head, Department of Burns Medicine,
Third Medical Faculty, Charles University and Teaching
Hospital Královské Vinohrady, Prague

Basil Fuleihan Seminar for Burns State of the Art in Burn Treatment Beirut,
Lebanon 11-12 November 2005

FINAL REPORT

The Basil Fuleihan Seminar for Burns - State of the Art in Burn Treatment was held in Beirut, Lebanon, on 11-12 November 2005. The seminar was jointly organized by the Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters (MBC), the International Association for Humanitarian Medicine (IAHM), and the Lebanese Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery (LSPRAS). The seminar faculty was composed of prominent world-renowned specialists. More than 500 participants attended the scientific sessions, practically overwhelming the local organizational capacities. The participants were from Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, UK, Turkey, Germany, Cyprus, USA, Australia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Kenya, South Africa, and Lebanon. A special Civil Defence session was included in the seminar programme and was attended by a large number of civil defence and fire brigade personnel. Civil defence officials from Saudi Arabia and Lebanon addressed the audience, presenting the Lebanese and Saudi experience in that domain.

Parallel to the scientific programme, an information and prevention campaign addressed to the public was organized with the help of the leading television station in Lebanon. We were allowed prime-time television appearances on the live morning talk show for five consecutive days. Special prevention promotional clips were also produced and shown on television at various times of the day, particularly just before the evening news. These clips will continue to be shown for a period of one month. Moreover, a special MBC stand was set up at the Beirut Marathon Village, which coincidentally was organized during the same week as the seminar. In this stand, 2000 specially prepared burn prevention brochures in Arabic were distributed by volunteers from the American University of Beirut (nurses and medical students). This community service was highly appreciated and yielded several invitations by schools and various organizations to hold special meetings about burn prevention and treatment in their respective premises.

Any scientific meeting would be incomplete without an accompanying social programme. Thanks to the Social Committee, the tours, lunches, and dinners organized for the occasion of the seminar were of exceptional quality and gave a good impression of Lebanese hospitality and our open and diverse cultural heritage, despite the fact that the seminar was organized against a background of political uncertainties and serious security concerns. The overwhelming and exceptional success of this seminar was definitely due to the efforts of an entire team; however, this could not have been achieved without the unlimited support of JULPHAR - Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries.

To gain maximum benefit from this seminar, all the lectures were videotaped. A DVD will be produced shortly and should be available on request. PDF files of slide presentations were also produced and uploaded on the BURNET web site. These files could be used freely for educational purposes and are available for inspection at www.burnet.org, Interactive Section.

Bishara AtiYeh
Secretary General of MBC

OBITUARY

THE MBC REMEMBERS DR. ANDREAS LOCHAITIS,
NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF GREECE

On 16 April 2005 the Greek Plastic Surgery community became smaller, as Dr Andreas Lochaitis passed away.

Dr Andreas Lochaitis was born in Athens and attended the Leondeio School, which he finished in 1958. After that he attended the Medical School of Athens University, and graduated in 1964. His specialty training in Plastic Surgery was completed in several hospitals of the United Kingdom, including Mount Vernon, Wexham Park, Slough and West Middlesex Hospitals.

In 1985 he became the Director of the Plastic Surgery Department and Burns Unit of KAT Accident Hospital of Athens. This was one of the first Departments for Plastic Surgery and Burns in Greece. It was a teaching Unit, and many of today’s Greek Plastic Surgeons specialized under his care and guidance.   

He was President of the Hellenic Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery from 1990 to 1992. He was also the National Delegate for Greece, Member of the Council, and European Representative of the International Society for Burn Injuries.

We all remember him in 1999 in Marathon, where he was the President of the 8th Congress of the European Burns Association.

He left early, before retirement, and left his wife and two daugthers to remember him with love, together with all of us, friends and colleagues.

Dr Stratos Komninakis