Lars Aabakken MD, PhD

Dr. Lars Aabakken is head of GI Endoscopy at Oslo University Hospital / Rikshospitalet. He is an attending doctor and Professor of medicine with a special interest in Gastrointestinal endoscopy, documentation systems, and clinical research. He is a former president of SADE (Scandinavian Association for Digestive Endoscopy) and ESGE (European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy), a council member of UEG (United European Gastroenterology), and Secretary-General for WEO (World Endoscopy Organization). Presently he is editor-in-chief of the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, chairman, of WEO-ARA (Activities to Reach Africa), and chairman, of the European Commission expert panel on Medical Devices. 

He has a major interest in GI endoscopy on the European level, particularly related to quality work and education. He is also since many years involved in educational activities in Sub-Saharan Africa, recently in the context of his role in WEO. This encompasses remote, as well as on-site training activities, research collaboration, and other adapted support at select regional hubs of GI endoscopy. 

He coordinates the endoscopy component of various national and international clinical trials involving OUS / Rikshospitalet, and he is chairman of education for Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UiO. He has published> 220 scientific papers and a number of textbooks and - chapters.