Page 50 - IFSO-History-Book-Digital-File

Maturation, Digital Transformation, and Regional Impact (2018-2025)
Following its establishment, IFSO-MENAC entered a period of rapid growth, bringing together a
diverse region with different healthcare systems, economic realities, and levels of surgical maturity.
Success depended heavily on strong leadership to transform a shared vision into meaningful
collaboration.

The chapter's evolution was driven by its successive Presidents. Dr. Abdelrahman Nimeri: As the first
President, Dr. Nimeri played a pivotal role in building governance structures, strengthening
relationships among national societies, and establishing MENAC as the recognized regional voice
within the global IFSO community. Prof. Mirza Gari: Leadership then transitioned to Prof. Mirza Gari,
who consolidated and expanded educational and scientific activities. MENAC provided a crucial
collaborative platform for professionals addressing the region's uniquely high rates of obesity and
type 2 diabetes by promoting evidence-based treatments, multidisciplinary care models, and
international best practices. Prof. Khaled Gawdat: Under Prof. Gawdat's leadership, MENAC became
one of the most active regional chapters within IFSO. Regional professionals saw increased visibility
globally through expanded participation in World Congresses and collaborative projects. This era
also embraced a rapid digital transformation, utilizing educational webinars, virtual conferences, and
online training to maintain engagement and support professional development despite the
disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Representing the emergence of a new generation of
regional leaders, Prof. Ali Khammas continued the chapter's evolution, bringing together healthcare
professionals committed to improving metabolic disease treatment across the region.
President-Elect Aayed Qahtani: Prof. Qahtani is set to lead the chapter into its next developmental
phase.

Scientific Gatherings and Legacy

Beyond scientific excellence, IFSO-MENAC successfully fostered a shared regional identity among
countries with varying cultures and healthcare environments, providing a framework for knowledge
and innovation to cross borders. The chapter actively engages its community through scientific
gatherings, having held three biennial meetings in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, with the next
scheduled for December, 2026, in Bahrain.

By 2025, less than a decade after its creation and coinciding with IFSO's thirtieth anniversary,
MENAC had evolved from an ambitious initiative into a mature, dynamic chapter. It stands today as
a clear testament to IFSO's international vision: a regional community united by a shared
commitment to advancing the care of patients living with obesity and metabolic disease.

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