The pediatric department at the college of Medicine _ University of Basrah held a scientific symposium on congenital heart abnormalities in cooperation with Abbot company . The seminar dealt with many topics, the most important of which was the early detection and diagnosis of cases of congenital heart abnormalities. The necessary plan for this was also discussed. The treatments for non-surgical cardiac abnormalities by catheterisation performed by doctors from Al-Naft hospital were also discussed. Cases that were treated  successfully by catheterization without the need for open heart surgeries were also mentioned . The seminar was attended by doctors from the paediatric branch of the college of medicine and doctors from outside Iraq. The seminar was also attended by the Administrative Deputy Governor of Basrah, Dr. Durgham Al-Ajudi. He stressed that the province of Basra supports an ambitious project to open a centre specialised in paediatric cardiac surgery in the province of Basra, relying on local medical staff.