The 9th Fetal Echocardiography Course was officially launched March 22, 2016 at The Maternity and Children Hospital in Buraidah, Al Qassim. This 3-day program will end up to March 24, 2016.

This particular event was organized by PSCCQ Pediatric Cardiology Department  accredited by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties for 10 CME hours.

On the first day of the said event, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Mesned warmly welcomed the joining participants. He further emphasized that such course was uniquely designed because PSCCQ is the only center that offers and provides this specialized program. Accordingly, after the welcome address, the program proper started. Dr. Ali Akhfash give the introduction of the course, Dr. Merna Mohammed Atiyah gave a substantial discussion about Fetal Echo. In addition, lectures regarding Basic Fetal Echo and Standard Images was given by Dr. Fahad Mubarak Al Habshan. There was a Hands-On Practice which was divided into two groups. Group A was led by Dr. Merna Atiyah and Ms. Rokaya Al Jubail while Group B was led by Dr. Fahad Al Habshan and Dr. Ali Al Akhfash

On the second day, there was a slight review on the activities done on the first day. It was tracking on the same routine wherein the day was filled with Hands-On practices. What made it different was the topics of the lectures given. Dr. Fahad Al Habshan talked about Fetal Anomalies of the Left Side of the Heart while Dr. Merna Atiyah discussed on the Fetal Anomalies of the Right Side of the Heart.

During the third day, again, they had a brief review on the Day 1 and Day 2 activities. To enrich the knowledge of the participants, a lecture on Fetal Arrhythmias was discussed by Dr. Merna Atiyah and likewise, she, along with Dr. Fahad Al Habshan both gave a lecture about Fetal Echo Cases. The 3-day activity ended with a closing remark from Dr. Abdulrahman Al Mesned. It left smiles and satisfaction on the participants knowing that they have learned so much from the said course.

The Fetal Echocardiography Course was actually the ninth time that it was consecutively and annually offered by PSCCQ. Based on the daily activities performed during the specified time, Dr. Al Mesned was true to his words that this course was more focused on practical applications rather than theoretical inculcation. This program is also helpful and indeed important for doctors especially those specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology because they will be well skilled and sufficiently knowledgeable to detect defects of the fetus during early fetal development through a full scan of the heart. An early diagnosis of any abnormalities would likewise help in providing the best therapeutic intervention at the earliest possible time.