On June 6, 2024 in the Scientific and Educational Innovation Centre of Dagestan State Medical University the I North Caucasus Olympiad in Pediatrics and Children’s Surgery dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the Faculty of Pediatrics was held.

The initiators and organisers of the Olympiad were the Department of Faculty and Hospital Paediatrics, the Department of Paediatrics FPD and PRS and the Department of Paediatric Surgery of DSMU, as well as the Student Scientific Circle of the Department of Paediatric Surgery.

On behalf of the Rector of DSMU Visampasha Khanaliev welcomed the guests and participants of the event, Vice-Rector for Research Naida Mollaeva: ‘Dear colleagues, dear participants and guests! Today we are opening the pages of a new chapter in the history of Dagestan State Medical University — the I North Caucasus Olympiad in Paediatrics and Children’s Surgery, timed to a significant date — 55th anniversary of the Paediatrics Faculty!

For half a century, the Department of Paediatrics of DSMU has been a forge of highly qualified specialists, whose names are known far beyond the borders of our republic. We honour the teachers — keepers of knowledge and traditions, mentors who have raised more than one generation of doctors devoted to their noble cause — care for children’s health.

The Olympiad, which brought together talented young people from across the North Caucasus, is not just a test of knowledge. It is an opportunity to exchange experience, adopt best practices and establish professional ties. I am sure that the spirit of competition that reigns these days will be a catalyst for new scientific discoveries and achievements in the field of paediatrics and paediatric surgery.

I wish all participants good luck, bright impressions and new discoveries! I wish the I North Caucasus Olympiad in Paediatrics and Paediatric Surgery to become a good tradition, uniting talented young people and promoting the development of medical science!’ said N. Mollayeva.

Then the participants of the Olympiad were addressed by Magomed Khamidov, pro-rector on medical work of DSMU, Alaudin Aliskandiev, head of department of faculty and hospital paediatrics of DSMU, Magomed Israelov, head of department of paediatrics of FPC and PPS of DSMU, Alimkhan Muskhadzhiev, dean of paediatric faculty of DSMU.

The guests of the event also expressed their congratulations and wishes to the participants of the Olympiad: Ali Ferzauli, Head of the Department of Hospital Surgery of MI CHSU, and Asiyat Smirnova, Assistant of the Department of Paediatric Surgery of KBGU.

The competition included five different stages:

‘Own game’: An intellectual competition where participants earned points by answering questions of varying complexity on medical disciplines.

‘Stages of operations’: The participants had to not only diagnose on the basis of the data provided, but also to perform a real operation on cadaver material, observing all the rules of asepsis and antisepsis.

«Surgeon’s Daily Life: Working in real time. The participants tried on the role of a doctor on duty in the emergency room, determining the diagnosis and choosing treatment tactics for incoming patients.

‘Virtuoso of Paediatrics’: Analyzing a clinical case, making a diagnosis and answering tricky questions from experts — this stage demanded from the participants profound knowledge and ability to think outside the box.

‘Crossword’: Warm up your mind and test your command of medical terminology.

“Surprise’: a competition in an entertaining and playful format that fostered bonding among all participants.

According to the results of all the tests, the first place was taken by the team ‘Medica Mente’ (Dagestan State Medical University). Second place went to the teams ‘Corde Puro’ (Dagestan State Medical University) and ‘Puer Vita’ (A.A. Kadyrov Chechen State University). Third place went to the team ‘Elbrus’ (Kh. M. Berbekov Kabardino-Balkarian State University).

Fatima Meylanova, Head of the Department of Paediatric Surgery, congratulated the children on their participation and deserved victory, expressing sincere words of gratitude for their dedication and diligence. She wished them pride in their achievements and constant striving for perfection, further success in their medical careers filled with professional achievements and charitable activities to help people.

The event was held in an interesting and pleasant atmosphere. The participants actively answered questions, performed surgeries, made diagnoses and participated in interesting contests. The participants noted that they had a productive time, made many new friends, saw the beauty of Dagestan and got a lot of pleasant emotions. The event ended with the presentation of honourable diplomas to the winners and prize-winners, as well as memorable gifts.

Dina Balgishieva