FIGO and Olympus Surgical Technologies Europe start successful collaboration on Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)

The first FIGO-Olympus Workshop on Minimally Invasive Surgery - organised in conjunction with the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of the Sudan - was successfully conducted at Soba University Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan, from 28 February-1 March 2012.

A new collaboration was recently agreed with Olympus Surgical Technologies Europe to sponsor the establishment of three FIGO training centres for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) in Africa, East Europe and possibly Latin America, as well as sponsoring trainees and trainers.

FIGO Chief Executive Professor Hamid Rushwan said: ‘The basic objectives of this excellent first Workshop in Sudan were for the candidates to attain knowledge and skills in areas such as the complications and pitfalls of Minimally Invasive Surgery; the basics of suturing; pelvic anatomy and hand-eye co-ordination, among other topics. Six live surgeries were performed by the International Faculty.  Candidates benefited from superb instruction from highly trained professionals. 

‘FIGO would like to convey special thanks to Dr Magid Salah Abubaker [Director of the Skill Centre]; Professor M A AlSheikh [Director of the Workshop]; Drs S A Moghraby and Saeed AlSary [International Faculty]; and Mr Peter Hawkins [Olympus Coordinator]. 

‘We are also grateful to the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of the Sudan for its great efforts in helping us to achieve our goals.’  

He ended: ‘This highly successful Workshop set the optimum standards for any future courses and Workshops to be held under the auspices of FIGO and in partnership with Olympus, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship.’ 

Please click here for a fuller report on the Workshop's activities.

Olympus Surgical Technologies is the technology leader in the field of MIS.