CREBA has trained more than 1,300 professionals in the first 5 years of operation

The CREBA centre (Centre de Recerca Experimental Biomèdica Aplicada) of the Institute of Biomedical Research of Lleida (IRBLleida), dedicated to biomedical research and training using the porcine model, celebrates its 5th anniversary in 2021. Since 2016, CREBA has trained 1,301 people in 95 specialised health training courses. Specifically, in the medical areas of hepato-bilio-pancreatic surgery, oesophago-gastric surgery, abdominal wall surgery, vascular surgery, gynaecology, urology, nephrology, digestive endoscopy, anaesthesia, traumatology and nursing. Training has also been offered for veterinary staff.

The president of the Diputació de Lleida, Joan Talarn, and the deputy of Public Health, Albert Bajona, accompanied by the director of the Centre for Applied Biomedical Experimental Research (CREBA), Jorge Juan Olsina, have presented this Monday the balance of the first 5 years of operation of the centre.

Joan Talarn wanted to emphasize the fact that so many professionals have passed through the centre to receive some of the many courses that have been done and has described CREBA as "the great research centre of the lands of Lleida".

According to the head of General Surgery and Digestive System of the University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, head of the research group Experimental Surgery of the IRBLleida and director of CREBA, Jorge Juan Olsina, the centre has worked these 5 years in the areas of training, research and scientific dissemination. In terms of research, the centre has completed 6 projects in the areas of abdominal wall surgery, severe peritonitis, lung transplantation, biliary echoendoscopy, chronic renal failure and arterial embolisation. In addition, it currently has two ongoing projects on abdominal wall surgery and intraoperative analgesia.

In relation to scientific dissemination, CREBA carries out an important task in the promotion of informative activities such as open days, informative talks in the framework of 'la Marató' of TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio and visits for professional groups. It also organises workshops for schools, primary and secondary schools, vocational training centres and universities. In total, it has hosted 14 visits from educational centres. This year, 2021, it has launched a campaign of visits aimed at science students from secondary schools in the Lleida area. In accordance with health regulations and the capacity of the centre, this year 2021 will hold 7 introductory workshops on surgery until June.

Promoted by the Diputació de Lleida and the Institute of Biomedical Research of Lleida, CREBA was born as a response to the growing demand for specialised and quality facilities for translational research and continuing education of health professionals. The CREBA facilities, located in Torrelameu, have teaching and simulation classrooms, as well as three individual operating theatres equipped with 3D technology. They also have a spacious training operating theatre with capacity for five simultaneous groups of open surgery, laparoscopic surgery and other interventional techniques.