The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama Medical & Dental Association will holds its 18th annual Scientific Educational Conference in Freeport beginning today at Pelican Bay Resort.

The theme for the two-day event is: ‘Universal Health: United to Fulfil the Vision.’ Each year the conference brings doctors and specialists from around the world to share cutting edge procedures in various medical specialties.

Renowned paediatric cardiac surgeon, Dr Immanuel Turner of Miami, Florida, is expected to attend the conference and will be making a presentation on adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).

Dr Turner is also a congenital heart surgery specialist at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in South Florida.

It was noted that the incidences of ACHD have been critically growing lately.

Dr Turner is expected to share studies in theories surrounding this fact, and why there has been an increase in congenital heart disease in the adult population. He will also share some of the best results and outcomes he has had with his patients.

“I feel very enthusiastic about this visit to the beautiful Bahamas. It is always a great experience being able to share the patient’s outcomes with our colleagues,” Dr Turner said.

According to reports, congenital heart disease affects eight to ten of every 1,000 children in the world.

Some of these cases are easily detected at birth, but sometimes the symptoms do not begin to appear until the later years, resulting in a high risk heart condition for adults, including congenital valve defects, atrial and ventricular septal defects and many others.

Dr Vincent Burton, president of the GBMDA, said the association’s objective is to provide improvement of health care in Grand Bahama, the promotion of healthy lifestyles in the community, and the continuing medical education of members.