Our Vision
A Pakistan where safe, effective, and standardized bariatric and metabolic surgery is universally accessible and recognized as a cornerstone in the management of obesity and related metabolic disorders
About POMSS
Who We Are
The Pakistan Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (POMSS) is the national professional body dedicated to the advancement of bariatric and metabolic surgery in Pakistan. Founded by a group of pioneering surgeons, clinicians, and researchers, POMSS serves as a unified platform to promote excellence in obesity treatment through surgical and metabolic interventions.
Our society represents a growing community of healthcare professionals committed to combating the obesity epidemic—a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country. We aim to standardize care, enhance surgical safety, and ensure equitable access to effective treatments for all patients across Pakistan.
What We Do
POMSS actively supports and organizes
Conferences & Symposia: Hosting national scientific meetings to discuss innovations, best practices, and policy developments.
Training Workshops: Hands-on skill-building sessions in laparoscopic, robotic, and metabolic procedures.
Credentialing & Standards: Developing and implementing standardized criteria for surgeon accreditation and surgical center recognition.
Research & Publications: Facilitating academic output and collaborative studies to strengthen the body of knowledge in metabolic surgery.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating patients and the general public about obesity, treatment options, and the role of surgery in long-term management.
Membership
Membership in POMSS is open to qualified surgeons, physicians, researchers, and allied health professionals involved in obesity care. Members benefit from professional recognition, training opportunities, networking, and access to national and international resources.
Affiliations
POMSS maintains active collaborations with The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) which ensure our members stay connected with global best practices and evolving standards in bariatric surgery.
Join Us
Whether you are a practicing surgeon, a physician interested in obesity care, or a researcher focused on metabolic health, POMSS invites you to be part of a transformative national effort. Together, we can raise the standard of care and improve lives across Pakistan.
Vision
To establish a Pakistan where safe, effective, and standardized bariatric and metabolic surgical practices are integral to the healthcare system, ensuring equitable access for all individuals affected by obesity and related metabolic disorders. POMSS envisions a future where multidisciplinary collaboration, continuous professional development, and adherence to international best practices culminate in improved patient outcomes and a reduction in obesity-related health burdens nationwide.
Mission
The Pakistan Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (POMSS) is dedicated to advancing
the field of bariatric and metabolic surgery within Pakistan through
Education and Training
Providing comprehensive academic programs, workshops, and continuous medical education...
Research and Publications
Promoting and supporting research initiatives that contribute to the understanding and treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders, and facilitating the dissemination of findings through reputable publications.
Credentialing & Accreditation
Establishing standardized criteria for the credentialing of professionals and accreditation of institutions, ensuring consistent quality and safety in surgical practices across the country.
Quality Assurance and Auditing
Implementing robust auditing mechanisms to monitor and enhance the quality of care provided, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Advocacy & Public Awareness
Engaging with policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public to raise awareness about obesity as a significant health concern, and advocating for policies that support prevention, treatment, and research initiatives.
Statement of Ethics
Pakistan Obesity
and Metabolic Surgery
Society (POMSS)
The Pakistan Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (POMSS) is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct in the care of patients with obesity, the professional behavior of its members, and the promotion of academic integrity and public trust.
Patient-Centered Care
- → Members shall prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of all patients, ensuring that surgical interventions are medically indicated, evidence-based, and performed with informed consent.
- → Patients must be thoroughly informed of all risks, benefits, and alternatives to bariatric or metabolic surgery. Shared decision-making is to be emphasized at all stages of care.
- → Confidentiality must be upheld at all times, in accordance with national and international laws on medical privacy.
Professional Competence and Integrity
- → Members shall commit to lifelong learning and continuing professional development, including maintaining current knowledge of evolving surgical techniques, technologies, and guidelines.
- → POMSS members are expected to perform within the bounds of their training, skill, and certification, and to refer patients appropriately when specialized care is needed.
- → All professional activities must be conducted with honesty, transparency, and accountability.
Ethical Research and Publication
- → POMSS encourages academic inquiry and research, which must be conducted with scientific rigor and ethical oversight, including obtaining proper approvals from institutional review boards (IRBs).
- → All publications and presentations must disclose potential conflicts of interest and avoid plagiarism, fabrication, or manipulation of data.
- → Authorship must reflect actual contributions, and patient consent must be obtained for any identifiable case reports or images.
Equity and Non-Discrimination
- → Members shall provide care without prejudice to gender, age, socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity, or body size.
- → POMSS upholds a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of discrimination, harassment, or exploitation—whether in clinical, academic, or organizational settings.
Financial and Industry Relationships
- → Any financial relationships with pharmaceutical or medical device companies must be disclosed transparently and must never compromise patient care or academic objectivity.
- → Members may not receive or offer inappropriate incentives for referrals, services, or surgical procedures.
Quality, Audit, and Accountability
- → Members shall participate in clinical audits and outcomes reporting as a means of ensuring ongoing quality improvement.
- → Complications, adverse outcomes, or surgical errors must be openly reported and reviewed within a constructive, non-punitive framework that prioritizes learning and patient safety.
Commitment to Education and Mentorship
- → POMSS members are expected to support the ethical training and mentorship of future professionals in the field, modeling integrity, respect, and evidence-based practice.
- → Teaching must be free of bias and based on current scientific consensus and clinical relevance.
Public Communication and Advocacy
- → Members may engage in public education about obesity and its treatments, but must do so with accuracy, sensitivity, and responsibility, avoiding exaggeration or misleading claims.
- → POMSS will advocate for patient access to safe and affordable care, and promote policies that reduce obesity-related stigma and improve public health.
Code of Ethics
- → POMSS members are expected to support the ethical training and mentorship of future professionals in the field, modeling integrity, respect, and evidence-based practice.
Society Chapters
- → Members may engage in public education about obesity and its treatments, but must do so with accuracy, sensitivity, and responsibility, avoiding exaggeration or misleading claims.
Membership Types
- → POMSS members are expected to support the ethical training and mentorship of future professionals in the field, modeling integrity, respect, and evidence-based practice.