Dear ISBI Members and Friends,
As we approach the end of 2023, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the significant strides and developments that have taken place in the field of burn care and education over the year. In a world facing numerous challenges, including climate issues, significant conflicts, and wars, the importance of advancements in our field has been more pronounced than ever.
From an epidemiological perspective, there is a noticeable decline in the incidence of burn injuries, particularly in high-income countries. This trend is also reflected in the data from the World Health Organization (WHO) for Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), although the actual number of cases remains alarmingly high and is a true matter of concern.
In 2023, International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI) introduced regional meetings to be held the year between the Biennial ISBI Congress. This year's theme was 'Scars A-Z', which, under the leadership of Dr. Moiemen and our British colleagues, was a resounding success. This initiative has set a precedent, and we hope it will become a recurring feature in our calendar. We are currently exploring options for the 2025 regional meeting. So far, there has been significant interest, including proposals to host the meeting in China, Kenya, and Bangladesh. More proposals are welcome. This addition to our array of events underscores our commitment to expanding and diversifying our outreach, providing more focused and region-specific learning and networking opportunities within the burn care community.
Observing the global activities related to burn injuries, the ISBI has noted a surge in the number of conferences and meetings with high attendance and intensive activities. This increase, particularly notable in the post-pandemic era, reflects a renewed enthusiasm and commitment within the field. As we approach the end of 2023, we can reflect on the various activities undertaken throughout the year. Within ISBI, we have supported numerous meetings and have engaged in collaborations with several NGOs, a central strategy to disseminate knowledge and expertise globally and fulfill our mission. We have established engagements with several NGOs, including Interburns, with whom we have co-organized activities such as at the Pan African Burn Society Meeting. Our involvement with Physicians For Peace is another key partnership. We continue to explore additional collaborations to further our outreach and impact worldwide.
In 2023, ISBI supported attendance at various significant meetings, including:
- Pan African Burn Society (PABS) Congress; During the congress, ISBI and Interburns partnered in successfully providing a Pre-Congress Day long course attended by 68 medical professionals from Africa.
- ISBI was represented at the Vietnam Burn Association Meeting in Hanoi by President Sjoberg who delivered Keynote Presentations.
- ISBI representatives attended the Asian Pacific Burns Association Conference in Chongqing, China and delivered educational presentations.
- ISBI delivered the Care of the Burn Survivor Beyond 48 Hours during the Brazilian Burn Association Meeting in Salvador, Brazil. This successful pre-conference course was attended by 37 medical professionals from around Brazil.
- Other ISBI participation included invited speakers at the European Burns Association (EBA) meeting in Nantes, British Burns Association (BBA) in Dublin, and the Recent Advances in Surgery and Burns in Ankara.
Looking ahead to the coming year, we eagerly anticipate our biennial meeting, scheduled to take place in Birmingham, UK from August 18-22. This event, organized in collaboration with the British Burns Association, is undergoing a significant transformation under the leadership of our President-Elect and Program Chair Dr. David Harrington. The focus is on making the event more interactive, with numerous individuals involved in the planning process, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for all participants. We are currently working with our partners and planning to deliver educational courses and hands-on training in different parts of the world in the upcoming year.
We have also undertaken a comprehensive revision of our bylaws to better meet the needs of our members. Your participation, as a member, is requested in the decision-making process regarding their implementation, which will take place during the ISBI general assembly in Birmingham, UK next August.
With a view to enhancing our teaching and learning opportunities, there has been a significant update to parts of our website. This revamp aims to provide a stronger foundation for educational activities. Currently, we are finalizing our Media Library Page which will shortly be added to the website. We encourage you to submit educational videos, slide presentations, or pre-recorded lectures to be uploaded to the website. If interested, please submit your educational material to info@worldburn.org and we will make sure that you are recognized for your contributions.
We continue to work together to fulfill our mission and I would like to sincerely thank you for volunteering your time to make ISBI better.
With gratitude,
Folke Sjoberg, MD
ISBI President