Primary Healthcare Exhibition & Congress on Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Diseases to launch in Abu Dhabi

In the Middle East, obesity is rising at an average of 6% in healthy children, 20% in adolescent males and a further 32% in elderly patients.

It is expected the impact of obesity within the Middle East will be substantial; especially as it significantly contributes to an increase in the prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes.

From 2-4 September leading international and local medical experts will gather at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre for the first Primary Healthcare Exhibition & Congress on Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Diseases, one of three key events at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Medical Congress.

In the UAE alone over 25 percent of the population suffers from diabetes, as does nearly half the Arab World between 40-59 years.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, four Middle East countries are amongst those with the highest global prevalence of diabetes: UAE (30.7%); Saudi Arabia (19.5%); Bahrain (15.2%); and Kuwait (14.4%).

The event will bring together doctors working in the primary healthcare sector, along with specialists and other health professionals who treat people with diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems. Leading experts will share their expertise, the most recent findings, current practices and evidence-based guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Metabolic Syndrome.

Noted experts addressing the Congress include:
Professor Morsi Arab, Chairman, International Diabetes Federation, Eastern Mediterranean and Middle-East (EMME) Region

Professor Philippe Froguel, Chair in Genomic Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK

Geoff Sussman, Senior Lecturer, Director, Wound Education and Research Group, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

Dr Adi Mehta, Dept. of Endocrilogy, Diabetes & Metabolism, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio

This Congress is one of the few in the UAE accredited by the American Academy of Continuing Medical Education (AACME), which is an international accreditation body recognised in over 96 countries. The organisation sets high standards in CME accreditation and ensures continuous improvement of CME quality and delivery. Doctors, pharmacists and nurses are now required to meet a target number of CME hours each year.

As part of the Arab Health Congress' endeavor to remain at the forefront of continuing medical education in the region, this Congress offers local medical professionals an ideal opportunity to acquire the requisite credits without the expense or time lost for traveling abroad. Delegates who attend the three day Congress will receive an AACME certificate, which can be used towards maintaining the annual quota of CME credits.

The Congress is supported by the UAE Ministry of Health, the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi and the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) in Dubai, which are responsible for improving the quality of health services in the Emirate and establishing policies in the areas of curative, clinical and preventive medical services.

'I am delighted to be involved in what is one of the most important topics in primary healthcare relating to non-communicable diseases to affect the region; it will be a unique opportunity for the medical community to discuss issues relating to the health of the nation,' said H.E Dr. Mariam Matar, Assistant Undersecretary of Preventive Medicine in the Ministry of Health (MOH) for Public Health and Primary Health Care (PHC), UAE.

MSD (also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme) is a silver sponsor for the event and the International Diabetes Federation is an event supporter.