H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health inaugurated on Thursday the 40^th Orthopaedic World Congress at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre.  The conference was organized by the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) in partnership with the Pan Arab Orthopaedic Association and a support from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Tourism (MOT).

The opening ceremony included a speech delivered by the PAOA President Dr. Mohammed Hassan Darweesh where he pointed out that the Sultanate has won the honor to host this international congress among several countries. Early preparations have been made considering the high profile of the conference that joins (130) countries of the world. Dr. Mohammed emphasized the significance of convening such event that sets as a platform for exchanging expertise in the field and identifying latest advancements. 

At the end of the ceremony, the patron of the event opened the accompanying exhibition of medical products and modern techniques deployed in orthopedics treatment aiming at promoting products and services to leading international orthopaedic surgeons, traumatologists and specialists in related fields.

The conference brought together more than (3000) Orthopaedic consultants and experts, physiologists, nursing staff, and technicians from the Sultanate, the gulf and Arab countries, as well from different part of the world. The plenary speakers at the SICOT Congress are internationally acclaimed experts in the field of orthopedics trauma surgery.

Throughout three days, the conference’s scientific program addressed spectrum of topics presenting several scientific working papers of the various Orthopedic specialties including trauma and surgeries of spine, Hip Dysplasia & Pediatrics, Sports Medicine, Road Safety and Injury Prevention.

The first day addressed WHO campaign on healthy aging, surgical strategies in the multiply injured patients, and updates in open fractures and compartment syndrome.

Along with scientific sessions, the first day of the event displayed a live operation on Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis and Spinal Cord Injuries for an Omani patient broadcasted from Vienna, Austria.

Scientific sessions and papers continue on Friday and Saturday with emphasis on all the surgical and treatment methods in the field.

Throughout the conference, cadaver labs will be held at the Sultan Qaboos University, in addition to dry shoulder and hip Arthroscopy labs.

The conference was preceded by the 9th SICOT Educational Day with the theme of “Trauma”. The day focused on all the elements of trauma surgery from anatomy and surgical approaches to complex case discussions attended by international experts in traumatology to share their experiences. The 31st International Cooperative Course for Polytrauma Management was also part of the pre-Congress events held on Wednesday.

Participants of the SICOT Congress and its 9^th educational Day workshops are to accredited (14) educational hours.