Damascus, (SANA) – The 11th Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS) annual conference started activities on Sunday dubbed "Updates on Treatments and Techniques in Medicine".

Health Minister Rida Saeed said, in an opening speech, that the conference is important to exchange medical expertise and get acquainted with the latest updates in diagnosis and treatment.

The minister stressed the significance of academic lectures and workshop to be held in improving Syrian doctors' skills to provide patients with the highest quality of healthcare services.

For his part, Conference Chairperson Nasser Ani said the convention provides an opportunity to tackle different medical specializations. It helps introduce new ideas and theories in medicine including diagnosis, treatment and disease prevention.

The four-day event discusses the latest developments in orthopedic, spine and pain control, oncology conditions and their treatment, cardiac, pulmonary diseases and internal medicine and surgery.

SAMS is a non-profit, humanitarian and educational organization. Its members are medical professionals of Syrian descent. It provides medical care to needy patients in Syria and North America.

R. Raslan/ al-Ibrahim/ Zahra