BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Professor Rajiv Agarwal, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), today highlighted the remarkable progress and collaborative vision of the Indo-Gulf Craniofacial Society (IGCS), an organization that has emerged as a beacon of regional medical cooperation and surgical excellence, at a press conference in Hotel Clarks Avadh, Lucknow,
Founded in March 2023 in Lucknow, the IGCS was the visionary creation of Dr. Taimur Al Bulushi and Dr. Rajiv Agarwal, aimed at building a unified platform for craniofacial surgeons from India and the Gulf region. “Our mission is to bridge expertise across borders, share advancements, and train the next generation of surgeons in one of the most challenging fields of reconstructive surgery,” said Dr. Agarwal.
The society was formally established during the Indo-Gulf Craniofacial Hands-on Workshop on Cranial Vault Remodeling and Osteosynthesis in Lucknow. Dr. Agarwal was appointed as the first president of the IGCS, and it was agreed that the society’s meetings would alternate between India and Gulf countries, ensuring strong bilateral participation. Operating as a non-profit organization, IGCS is devoted entirely to education, training, and research in craniofacial surgery, benefitting surgeons, residents, and postgraduates from both regions.
During the press interaction, Dr. Agarwal elaborated on the core objective of IGCS, to organize specialized training programs, workshops, and conferences that provide hands-on experience and academic exposure to young surgeons. Craniofacial deformities, he explained, are not uncommon in India or the Gulf, yet their treatment demands intricate surgical expertise and advanced facilities that are often inaccessible to many practitioners.
“By creating this collaborative framework, we aim to fill that gap, offering structured learning opportunities to residents and postgraduates,” he said. The society has so far convened three successful meetings, the inaugural one in Lucknow (March 2023), followed by two meetings in Muscat, Oman (November 2024 and January 2025). The fourth meeting is set to take place on October 25 and 26, 2025, across Lucknow and Agra, marking another milestone in Indo-Gulf medical cooperation.
Outlining the agenda for the upcoming conference, Dr. Agarwal announced that the first day would feature expert-led lectures on craniofacial surgery, followed by three dedicated hands-on workshops post-lunch, focusing on cleft lip surgery, cleft palate surgery, and craniofacial fixation techniques. These sessions will cater primarily to residents and postgraduates from across India and Oman, providing them with practical insights from senior specialists.
Dr. Agarwal also addressed the economic disparity in surgical costs, noting that craniofacial operations, which cost around USD 20,000–30,000 in the United States, can be performed in India for approximately ₹1 lakh, making India a center of affordability and excellence in specialized medical care.
Prominent Omani surgeons, Dr. Taimur Al Bulushi, Dr. Sultan Al Shaqsi, and Dr. Adel El Najjar, were also present at the press conference, expressing their strong support for the collaborative efforts of the IGCS. “This partnership stands as a model for how medical communities across regions can unite to improve healthcare delivery,” said Dr. Al Bulushi.
Dr. Agarwal emphasized that the Indo-Gulf Craniofacial Society is not merely a professional body but a movement dedicated to knowledge sharing, research, and compassion-driven care. As the fourth IGCS meeting begins, Lucknow once again stands at the heart of a growing medical alliance that transcends borders, shaping the future of craniofacial surgery in India and the Gulf.
