Dermatology in Kurdistan: Prosperity and Progress

The International Conference of Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery sponsored by the Kurdistan Society of Dermatology in Sulaymaniyah on May 10-12, 2017 provided a superb view into medical advances in Kurdistan and the respect with which it is held worldwide. This important event was opened by the Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government and was attended by many international guests. International Society of Dermatology, Director Robert A. Schwartz expressed admiration for Kurdistan. He praised the renowned historical figure Mustafa Barzani (19031979), as Prof. Schwartz as an undergraduate in political science at the University of California had studied about and greatly admired him. He also expressed appreciation to the Congress leaders and recognized the outstanding leadership of the Conference President and Vice President, thanking them in both Arabic and Kurdish as he presented each with a Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society leadership award. There were many enlightening lectures reflecting the extraordinary progress of medicine in Kurdistan. Kurdistan Society of Dermatology President Mohammed Y. Golf (Sulaymaniyah) revealed his ingenious approach, medical rhinoplasty. Dr. Alaa Sulaiman (Erbil) evaluated hematologic and immunologic parameters in patients with scabies. Assistant Prof. Ali Elethawi (Sulaymaniyah) compared actinic keratosis treatment using salicylic acid 30% chemical peel solution with liquid nitrogen cryosurgery. Dr. Snoor Hadi (Dukoh) associated the metabolic syndrome with psoriasis severity. Dr. Nadia Hussain (Kirkuk) assessed the serum of vitiligo patients for interleukin-6 and herpes simplex virus. Dr. Alla Kaftan (Sulaymaniyah) contrasted the efficacy of intradermal injections of glutathione and Tranexamic acid for melasma. Prof. Yasin Al Qubati (Yemen) delineated his pioneering treatment of leishmaniasis with carbon dioxide slush for resource-poor countries. Prof. Khalifa Sharquie (Bagdad) espoused his innovative treatment concept, nose volumeplasty. Prof. AbdulGani Kibbi (Lebanon) shared his experiences with leishmaniasis in the present Middle East context, characterizing the disease as a scourge of war. Prof. Ali Khamesipour (Iran) provided an update on vaccinations for leishmaniasis. Prof. Farid Ait Belkacem (Algeria) analyzed the concept of dermatitis artefacta. Prof. Robert A. Schwartz (USA) projected a photograph of himself together with fellow University of California, Berkeley alumnus Steven Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple Computer, sitting beside each other with Wozniak urging “think different,” as Prof. Schwartz evinced a new food allergy paradigm, that, for example, early peanut introduction to an infant’s diet actually lowers the risk of developing peanut allergy! Prof. Ashraf Badawi (Canada) explored cutaneous aging and its treatment. Prof. Adil Noaimi (Bagdad) delineated filler problems and cosmetic corrections by hyaluronidase injections. Dr. Riad Boussaid (Algeria) accentuated updated therapeutic management of chronic urticaria. Dr. Ameer Mushtaq (Bagdad) described trauma-induced Kaposi’s sarcoma. Prof. Riad Mashal (Palestine) promulgated new dermatologic therapies. Dr. Ahmed Alissa (KSA) contributed a vitiligo update. Khalil Al-Hamdi (Basra) illuminated the dermatoscopic assessment of facial melanosis. Prof. Hayder Al-Hamamy (Bagdad) highlighted quality of life Short communication