Dear Colleague,
We would like to invite you to the Gastrosummit (METAP-CIS) Association, set up with a vision of building regional equality in the field of Gastroenterology.
Medicine today represents a regional hierarchical structure; both the content of the congresses organized and the shares of the speakers, as well as the countries where the publications with high impact factors originate, are located in the Global North, in so-called developed countries Although resources allocated to science have increased significantly in recent years and access to all types of publications or sophisticated diagnostic and treatment tools has become easier in the Global South, Global North-based institutions and journals continue to dominate medicine.
This regional hierarchy is observed in the world of Gastroenterology as well. Despite regional differences in the lived realities and experiences of GI practitioners and patients, guidelines in our area do not take these into account and portray universal understandings that are actually based on experiences of patients in the Global North. These guidelines play a major role in the diagnosis and treatment of our patients worldwide. There are few organizations working on the medical needs of Global South countries, such as the World Gastroenterology Organisation, and even less specific diagnostic and treatment guidelines tailored to the needs of doctors and patients living in these countries. There is a need for specialized structures that understand these needs and can create more practical and pragmatic approaches by adapting to the conditions of countries with limited resources
The Gastrosummit (METAP-CIS) Association emerged as a result of these needs and is focused on pioneering the diagnosis and treatment needs of countries with limited resources in the field of Gastroenterology. We encourage intra- and inter-regional exchange and collaboration and promote localized approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Specifically, we develop diagnostic and treatment guidelines tailored to the needs of patients and doctors in the Global South through scientific and academic exchange and support the professional and educational development of young colleagues in the field to ensure sustainability and growth of the field in our region.
This initiative, which was first set up by leading names in the field from seven countries, and then expanded to 19 countries through their eminent representatives, launched its activities with a meeting in Istanbul on 6-7 September 2024 with 259 participants. During the congress, specific diagnostic and treatment approaches related to target countries were evaluated and several young colleagues led small group discussions of cases.
The Association’s future plans include regular meetings, academic development programs, scientific productions, and supporting young scientists from the region to ensure that they take a more active and distinguished place in the international scientific community.
We believe that we will become stronger with your support on this path and look forward to hearing from you if you would like to learn more or be a part of this initiative.
Yours sincerely,