SAGES Magazine

16 RLD GASTROENTEROLOGY NEWS DECEMBER 2022 PROFESSOR Salim Awadh Sabih UAE Congratulations to the 2022 WGO Masters of the PROFESSOR Damon Bizos South Africa PROFESSOR Justus Krabshuis France PROFESSOR Elias Makhoul Lebanon rid line from bottom of last photo) PROFESSOR Salim Awadh Sabih UAE PROFESSOR Damon Bizos South Africa PROFESSOR Justus Krabsh France PROFESSOR Eduardo Mauriño Argentina PROFESSOR KR Palaniswamy India PROFESSOR Christina Sura United States MasterWGO-30x40-v2.indd 1 id line om bottom of last photo) PROFESSOR Salim Awadh Sabih UAE PROFESSOR Damon Bizos South Africa PROFESSOR Justus Krabshuis France PROFESSOR Elias Makhoul Lebanon PROFESSOR Eduardo Mauriño Argentina PROFESSOR KR Palaniswamy India PROFESSOR Christina Surawicz United States PROFESSOR Nurdan Tözün Turkey EDITORIAL As we come to the end of yet another challenging year with the pandemic now seemingly behind but with scars that will remain with us for long time, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate quite a number of ambassadors of gastroenterology from South Africa. Hats off to Prof Damon Bizos, an educator, passionate about standards and quality, has been awarded one of the highest awards from WGO - Masters of the WGO. Prof Bizos holds his own against other giants in the world. This is an exciting time in South African gastroenterology as the old guard is indeed mentoring and supporting a new generation of gastroenterologists across South Africa, wishing the best of travels to Dr Mzamo Mbelle and also Dr Vikash Lala to advance endoscopy similar to his fellowship experience that he had at Ghent. With the utilization of increasing immunosuppression across various liver and gastroenterology conditions the highlight of TB in South Africa is reinforced by Dr Qubekile’s case report. Dr Guingane et al highlights the challenges of common diseases in Africa and the need for local solutions and I would like to suggest that it is time we start our own manufacturing of drugs relevant to our disease burden. The ERCP booklet by Dr M Czajkowski which he has allowed for free access and distribution is simple but an essential guide for all levels of staff and facilities to reference. Again to highlight the continuing efforts of the Gastro Foundation under Prof Kassianides in ensuring the special interest group meetings occur even in an environment of increasing financial burden and his vigor to maintain these highly attended educational events does not go unnoticed in Gastroenterology in South Africa. The sterling work of the SAGES council under our current President, Prof Watermeyer, is to be acknowledged in a time of increasing conflict between academia and service delivery. I hope for 2023 to be a greater success for SAGES and for each and every member to reflect and be aware of mental wellness issues and to reach out to SAGES. Adam Mahomed Editorial THE SOUTH AFRICAN GASTROENTEROLOGY REVIEW 2022 | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 3 | 1