The first regional neuromuscular genetics meeting and manuscript writing workshop NMGC 2022 took place during 4-6 November 2022 in Cairo, Egypt.

The NMGC is organized by MyoCare Foundation in partnership with the WMS, hosted by NewGiza University School of Medicine.

The meeting brought together pediatricians, neurologists, physiotherapists, geneticists, medical students, and high nurses from across Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon to hear from regional and international neuromuscular experts.

Institutions with delegates in attendance included University of Jordan, University of Balamand in Lebanon, National Research Centre in Egypt, the Egypt Center for Regenerative & Research Medicine (ECRRM), as well as Alexandria, Cairo, NewGiza, Ain Shams and Tanta universities in Egypt.

For the first time in the Eastern Mediterranean region, young doctors from Lebanon and Egypt presented their posters as part of a manuscript writing workshop.

The workshop was initiated back in February 2022 by Dr Laurent Servais and Dr Rasha El Sherif, editor of Myology developments across the world, to support young myologists and encourage regional networking.

On the first day, WMS Executive Board member Dr Ichizo Nishino highlighted the role of muscle pathology in differentiation between myositis and muscular dystrophy, while Dr Laurent Servais presented an update on the therapeutic approaches in SMA.

WMS members from the Eastern Mediterranean region, Dr Rasha El Sherif and Dr Riyad Khoury, talked about their institutional approach towards diagnosis and management of myopathy in Egypt and Lebanon. In the afternoon session speakers from Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt discussed the common regional challenges in the field of NMD and the future collaboration opportunities.

The second day was dedicated to the manuscript writing workshop for young doctors. Dr Laurent Servais, and Dr Ichizo Nishino, discussed in an interactive approach the participants posters and the manuscript writing skills. Dr Laurent Servais used role play model in teaching residents how to discuss SMA management plans with SMA patients’ guardians.

Dr Rasha El Sherif said: “The first Eastern Mediterranean meeting was a great success. It was an opportunity for networking, exchange of expertise and planning future regional collaboration.  

“The poster session was the highlight of the meeting, seeing young doctors from the region pursue their passion as myologists and become part of the WMS diverse community.”