From the Editor-in-Chief

I am pleased to see the third issue of our journal, the Middle East Journal of Emergency Medicine (MEJEM), gaining wide acceptance and support on regional and international levels.

This issue comes at a special time where recent local and international events clearly influenced the contents of this issue. Internationally there is increased tension and violence. Most staggering is the daily loss of innocent lives in the endless barrage of violence that has plagued our part of the world for the last few decades. Most horrifying of all is the increasing threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction, see Unmasking Bioterrorism, the Invisible Enemy by Skerman et al.

Locally, we are eagerly anticipating our first Qatar International Trauma and Emergency Medicine Conference and Doha Neurotrauma Symposium from 13-16th of April 2002. This international gathering will be hosting eminent speakers and participants from Qatar, the Gulf countries, the Middle East, North America, Australia and Europe. During the proceedings of this conference, we hope to see the birth of the Pan Arab Society of Trauma & Emergency Medicine (PASTEM).

The month of April will also mark the inauguration of a national campaign in Qatar, "To Save a Life", directed towards the public which will include public awareness programs, rallies, lectures, seminars, public training and disaster management courses.

The Medical Cost of Trauma in Qatar by Al Musleh et al, and Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Qatar by P. Orlando et al, reflect the magnitude of the problem of Motor Vehicle Crashes in our area. It is not just a major cause of unfortunate loss of innocent lives, but also a significant cause of morbidity and a heavy burden on the health economy of this part of the world.

This issue also features an evidence-based review of the latest changes in Resuscitation Guidelines (Salam et al) and some interesting case reports and editorials.

With great pride, and gratitude for the collective efforts of all involved, the Middle East Journal of Emergency Medicine (MEJEM) is becoming a new valuable addition to the arena of international medical journals. We appreciate the encouragement, positive feedback and contributions from the growing list of contributors and subscribers.

-- Abdul Wahab Al Mosleh
   MD, FRCS(I), CABS
   Editor-in-Chief
   Assistant Medical Director
   Chairman of Accident & Emergency and EMS Departments
   Hamad Medical Corporation