SAFES Newsletters

It is an honor to be at the helm of the affairs as President of the newly formed South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies (SAFES) having taken on the mantle in Colombo in January, 2013. It is a giant step for the Endocrine Society of India.

Before beginning, I must convey my deep regret on the sudden and tragic demise of Dr. Fatema Jawed's husband after a brief illness. May his soul rest in peace. Our heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family members. Dr. Fatema Jawed has an instrumental role to play in SAFES.

As the President of SAFES, I believe that the continued support and faith of our National Endocrine Societies will be the key leading this federation into future success. Your feedback is most welcome to ensure the security and strength of this organization as it moves forward in leaps and bounds.

Paradoxical as it sounds, endocrinology is as common as it is rare. Are not diabetes, hypothyroidism, obesity, and osteoporosis the commonest among the common diseases? And isn't it true that congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen insensitivity, and acromegaly are rare occurrences?

In contrast to the common occurrence of endocrine diseases, endocrinologists are truly rare. In terms of income, an endocrinologist's salary is comparable to that of an internal medicine specialist, because like internal medicine, endocrinology had no therapeutic intervention to call its own.

Whether it is diabetes, obesity, or osteoporosis, new treatments are jostling for space on the horizon and changing patients' lives for the better worldwide. Provided, of course, that we endocrinologists in South Asia seize this moment as our own and unleash the potential within it.

The Endocrine Society of Sri Lanka (ESSL) and the South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies (SAFES) jointly organized an academic programme — the Advanced Course in Diabetes 2013 on 18th January 2013 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo. This marked the very first regional clinical education initiative under the newly formed federation.

The distinguished multinational faculty included 17 senior leaders from across the SAFES nations: Dr. Subhankar Chowdhury, Dr. Sarita Bajaj, Dr. Rakesh Sahay, Dr. Sanjay Kalra, Prof. Thilak Weeraratne, Dr. Manilka Sumanatilleke, Dr. Noel Somasundaram, Dr. Henry Rajaratnam, Dr. Prasad Katulanda, Prof. Mandika Wijeyaratne, Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne, Dr. Syed Abbas Raza, Prof. Shamya de Silva, Dr. Sajith Siyambalapitiya, Dr. Charles Antonypillai, Dr. Uditha Bulugahapitiya, and Prof. Sisira Siribaddana.

Historic Gathering: The Founding Leaders and Executive Committee of SAFES in Colombo, Sri Lanka (January 2013), led by Inaugural President Dr. Sarita Bajaj.

Over 250 delegates representing a broad spectrum of physicians, endocrinologists, and healthcare professionals attended the sessions. On this historic occasion, ESSL launched its official clinical guideline on Diabetes Mellitus – Glucose Control, presenting the inaugural ceremonial copy to SAFES President Dr. Sarita Bajaj.