The Al-Zaidi Chair for Arthritis and Rheumatism Research at the College of Medicine at Umm Al-Qura University continued its series of meetings and commendable medical contributions to the field by holding its 9th Forum of Skillful Practices in Rheumatology last Saturday (23 March, 2019 A.C.) in Madinah. The forum witnessed outstanding medical and academic participation.

Dr. Hani Al-Mu`allim, a professor of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and the General Supervisor of Al-Zaidi Chair for Arthritis and Rheumatism Research at the UQU College of Medicine, highlighted that the forum is held to raise awareness about rheumatic diseases. He stressed the importance of early detection, underlining the best method for clinical detection of rheumatic diseases, and emphasizing the importance of facilitating the transfer of knowledge to general practitioners. Moreover, he underlined that the participation of primary health care physicians, family medicine specialists, internal medicine specialists, and recent graduates at the forum is in line with the directives of the Crown Prince, may Allah protect him, to enhance the health sector in the kingdom.

Dr. Walid Hafiz, the Scientific Coordinator of Al-Zaidi Chair for Arthritis and Rheumatism Research, pointed out that the forum comes in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which has assigned great care and attention to enhancing the medical sector and embodying the chair's vision for the University of Umm Al-Qura as a pioneer in supervising and participating in research into rheumatic diseases in the Kingdom.

Dr. Aws Al-Hazmi, the Project Director at Al-Zaidi Chair, highlighted that the organization of such medical forums to raise awareness about rheumatic diseases coincides with the laudable efforts exerted to build a database for rheumatism patients in the Kingdom, design training programs for rheumatologists, and partake in carrying them out.

Dr. Hanan Al-Usaimi, a consultant rheumatologist at the Military Hospital in Jeddah, commended the pioneering role shouldered by Al-Zaidi Chair in the field of rheumatic diseases as far as the scientific, research, and awareness raising efforts are concerned. She also praised the outputs of the forum, its interactive lectures, and applied workshops.

Dr. Al-Badr Hamzah, a consultant rheumatologist and the Head of the Rheumatology Section at King Fahad General Hospital in Madinah, expressed his thanks and appreciation to Al-Zaidi Chair officials for organizing this forum, which he described as an important platform witnessing significant medical and academic participation.

Moreover, Al-Zaidi Chair trained 100 family physicians on screening skills on 25 March, 2019 A.C. in Jeddah. It participated with three scientific papers at the Saudi Society Rheumatology Conference (SSRC) held in Riyadh from 29-31 March, 2019 A.C. and organized a special corner showcasing its main achievements and medical and research contributions in the field.