The Kurdistan Center for Gastroenterology and Hepatology (KCGEH) was established in 1996 in Sulaymaniah, Iraqi Kurdistan to provide advanced diagnostic and therapeutic gastroenterology and hepatology services. The goals are to apply these services and establish the Kurdistan Gastroenterology and Hepatology Society. KCGEH has expanded its divisions and now provides a range of endoscopy, radiology, and pathology services. It has a staff of several board certified physicians, surgeons, radiologists, and nurses. In 2008, KCGEH performed over 2,700 endoscopies and plans to add new technologies and services in the future like capsule endoscopy and recognition as

1. Kurdistan center for Gastroenterology/ Hepatology KCGEH Kurdistan GIT/Hepatology society Kurd GEHS Sulaymaniah-Iraqi Kurdistan Region: Achievements:

2. Goals: Applying advanced diagnostic & Therpaeutic Gastroenterology/ Hepatology services in Kurdistan Region.

3. Kurd GEHS: Established in 2004 by a group of consultant GIT specialist, surgeons & physicians before the establishment of GSGEH: Chairman: Dr. Kalandar H Kasnazan, consultant GIT Surgeon. Co-Chairman: Dr. Mohamed A Sheikhani, consultant physician. Members: Consultant gastroenterologist( board certified) & 6 other physicians. 6 other surgeon. Physicians & surgeons from other Kurdistan cities are joining the society. 3 annual scientific update conferences had been done . We are preparing for the next conference.

4. The KCGEH Beginnings: Established in 1996 as: Upper/ lower GIT endoscopic services & ERCP services. Outpatient services. Weekly combined clinico-radiological-pathological meeting.

5. Now: More divisions opened Abdominal U/S department with U/S guided FNA procedures. Emergency 24 GIB endoscopic hemostasis services. EUS division. Chromoendoscopy. PTCD. Manometry division. PH studies division. GI/Hepatology drugs Pharmacy. Equipments store.

6. The staff: One Board GIT/Hepatology. 6 Board internal medicine with interest in GE/H. One pediatric board with interest in pediatric GEH. 5 Board surgeon with interest in GEH. 3 Board radiologists. 2 pathologists. 4 College nurses. 6 paramedics. 1 IT. 2 administrative staff.

7. In the near future: Capsule endoscope service. NBI service. Building extension. Recognition as Board center by the Iraqi board. Library. Web site.

8. 2008 achievements: OGD: 2702. Colonoscopy:1061. Abdominal U/S: 1117. EUS: 96. Doppler U/S: 49. FNA: 88. ERCP: Diagnostic & therapeutic 265 patients. Balloon dilation: 102. Stent placement: 34. Esophgeal variceal banding: 90.

9. 2008 achievements: Visiting gastroenterologist from Japan Dr. Sususomo who was very useful in transporting his skills to our staff. Visiting gastroenterologist from Egypt. Visiting team from USA headed by Dr.Ali Nawra.

10. Other Endoscopy services: General hospital endoscopy unit. Teaching Hospital endoscopy unit. Pediatric hospital endoscopy unit.

11. Future hope: Large building with capacity for in-patient GIT/Hepatology services. Invitation of more GIT/Hepatologist experts from Japan/Europe/USA, which is more beneficial than sending our staff to outside in short courses. Independent financial administration. Liver transplantation services establishment.