Pakistan’s Urogynecology Revolution – PUGA 2025 Delivered
The Pakistan Urogynecology Association (PUGA) demonstrated unprecedented momentum in 2025, fulfilling its mission to advance education, clinical training, and global collaboration in women’s pelvic floor health. From grassroots physiotherapy integration to high-complexity surgical workshops and prominent international representation, PUGA has solidified its role as a leading voice in urogynecology within the Asia-Pacific region.
Early Year Engagements & Global Representation
CME on Urinary Incontinence – Darul Sehat Hospital, Karachi
An accredited program by Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) featuring Prof. Shagufta Tahir as guest speaker. The session provided comprehensive training on evaluation and management of urinary incontinence for senior GPs, consultants, and resident trainees.
PUGA Delegation at IUGA/EUGA 2025, Barcelona
PUGA Delegation at IUGA/EUGA 2025 Joint Meeting, Barcelona, Spain
The PUGA delegation actively represented Pakistan on the global stage at the IUGA/EUGA Joint Meeting in Spain. Their participation underscored Pakistan’s growing contributions to clinical innovation and academic research in urogynecology.
Poster & Video Presentations by PUGA Delegates
- Prof. Pushpa Sirichand:
- Basic Principles of Vesicovaginal Fistula Repair by Vaginal Route
- Surgical Techniques of Total Colpocleisis for Vault Prolapse
Focus: Practical, low-resource surgical solutions. Prof. Sirichand also met the IUGA President to strengthen Pakistan’s collaborative ties.
- Prof. Shakila Yasmin:
- #354 – A Procedural Stepwise Presentation of Innovative Davydov’s Vaginoplasty in MRKH Syndrome (Video)
- #467 – Successful Vaginoplasty in Postpartum Vaginal Stenosis
- #479 – Case Report on High-up Complex Rectovaginal Fistula After Sexual Intercourse
- #512 – Comparative Outcomes of Modified Davydov’s and Modified McIndoe Vaginoplasty in MRKH Patients
Her video presentation was a conference highlight, generating lively discussion on surgical techniques and functional outcomes.
- Prof. Shagufta Tahir (President PUGA): Actively networked with global consultants, introduced PUGA’s vision, and elevated Pakistan’s visibility within the international urogynecology community.
4th Biennial Conference & Pre-Conference Workshops
From September to October, PUGA rolled out an extensive national pre-conference workshop campaign across multiple cities, including Karachi, Quetta, Hyderabad, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and Jamshoro.
Theme: “A Unique Confluence of Obstetrics, Urology, and Physiotherapy”
Key Workshop Modules & Venues
- Perineal Tear Repair (Hands-on) – Multiple venues
- Urogynecological Surgical Workshop (2 days) – Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad
- Safe Hysterectomy & Bladder Repair – Quetta
- Urodynamics – Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar
- Burch Colposuspension / TVT / TOT – RFPMC Karachi
- Advanced Hands-on: Pelvic Organ Prolapse & Fistula Repair – Rawalpindi
- Obstetric Drills on PPH (B-Lynch, Modified B-Lynch) – Karachi
- Colposcopy – JPMC Karachi
Each workshop was led by national experts, with venues including FMJ Healthcare, Dr. Najma Ghaffar Hospital, Isra University Hospital, Lady Reading Hospital, Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, and Pak Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College.
Poster Presentations by PUGA Delegates
Prof. Pushpa Sirichand and Prof. Shakila Yasmin presenting their research at IUGA/EUGA 2025 Barcelona
These presentations focused on practical, low-resource surgical solutions, drawing strong international interest and sparking meaningful dialogue…
Distinguished International Faculty
- Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akin Sivaslioglu (Turkey) – Advances in Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
- Dr. Dharshana Abeygunawardena (Sri Lanka) – Sling vs Bulking vs Lasers for SUI
- Prof. Dr. Catherine Mathews (USA, via Zoom) – Surgical Management of Utero-Vaginal Prolapse
- Dr. Pablo Gonzalez (EST, live) – Laser Therapy in Gynecological Conditions
- Dr. Ranee Thakar (UK, Past President IUGA) – Postpartum Sexual Difficulties
- Prof. N. Rajamehshwari (India) – Surgical Decision Making in POP
- Dr. Robinson Timothy Dudley – OAB & Refractory OAB
- Prof. Dr. Farrukh Zaman – Theme Talk: Future of Urogynecology – Concept of Pelviperineology
Conference Highlights
- Plenary sessions on urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, menopause, genital fistula, and sexual dysfunction.
- Panel discussions bridging obstetrics, urology, and physiotherapy.
- Round table sessions (Meet the Experts) on difficult cases: incontinence evaluation, anterior vaginal wall prolapse, recurrent UTI, refractory OAB, bladder pain syndrome.
- Physiotherapy track – Evidence-based interventions for POP, neuromuscular re-education, postpartum quality of life, cultural myths.
- Nurse/midwife session – Pelvic floor health in pregnancy, prevention of maternal sepsis, postnatal urinary retention.
- Abstract competition with 15+ selected papers covering perineal protection, LUTS in perimenopausal women, workplace bladder practices, PF disorders in chronic cough, and more.
- Gala dinner, cultural show, and musical night celebrating the urogynecology community.
Special Recognition
Fertility-preserving repair of utero-cutaneous fistula – A rare case report presented by Prof. Shakila Yasmin, demonstrating successful uterine preservation after multiple cesarean sections.
Conclusion
In 2025, PUGA successfully expanded the reach of urogynecology education across Pakistan, provided high-impact hands-on surgical training through more than 30 pre-conference workshops, represented the country with distinction at the IUGA meeting in Barcelona, and hosted a landmark 4th Biennial International Conference with significant international participation. PUGA remains committed to pelvic floor health for all women and looks forward to continued collaboration with IUGA.
