First Abu Dhabi Medical Congress opens today

More than 130 international healthcare specialists and scholars will present their latest findings at the nine concurrently held conferences during the three days, which will be attended by over 700 delegates from across the region and Asian Subcontinent.

Addressing the inaugural session of the three-day congress, H.E. Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami highlighted the various efforts of the UAE Government towards providing exemplary healthcare services for the region and appreciated IIR Middle East for organising this event. He expressed his pleasure in attending the Abu Dhabi Medical Congresses. The UAE Health

Minister H.E.Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami said, "The development of medical service and health care services make this an extremely important forum here in Abu Dhabi. It gives the opportunity for professionals to exchange information with experts from different countries. Infection Control which has a critical role in the deliveries of quality services in health care, plus Emergency and Disaster Management are being covered in the conference.

He also said, "The most important issue currently for the Minister of Health is the strategies from 2008-2011 which is being covered in the congresses."

He commented, "The health sector in the UAE has seen major developments in all health sector. There is a sharing of information between the local and united authorities under the leadership of HH. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayan, the President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. H.E. the minister Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami expressed his thanks to the organiser IIR Middle East and the attendees and exhibitors at the event which runs from 2-4 September 2007 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi, UAE."

The Minister of Health, H.E. Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami also inaugurated the exhibition of healthcare equipment and technologies that is being held alongside the congress. He visited various stalls and met with the exhibitors that include leading names like Schiller, Wyeth, MSD, AGT and Mercer. The exhibition includes the latest technological achievements in products and services related to Emergency Medical Services, Patient Safety and Primary Healthcare.

Over 2000 medical professionals are scheduled to visit this premier healthcare event, which will continue until September 4, 2007.

Adding to some of the products being introduced for the first time in the region, one of the highlights at the exhibition is the latest and state-of-the-art emergency helicopter by the Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing.

The Minister also addressed a well attended press conference. He was joined by Dr. Mariam Al Matroushi, Director of Central Department of School Health, Ministry of Health, Dr Richard Nabhan, Senior Consultant Cardiology and Diabetology of Lifestyle Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi and Simon Page, Healthcare Director at IIR Middle East. Dr Matroushi spoke in detail about the rising number of diabetes cases in the UAE and region. She also touched upon the key initiatives launched by the Ministry to combat this problem and expressed confidence that the congress would provide the impetus to promote greater awareness and launch prevention programmes across all emirates.

The first Abu Dhabi Medical Congress is being held with an objective of increasing awareness about the epidemic spread of Metabolic Syndrome in the Middle East resulting in an increased rate of cardiac diseases and diabetes. Enhancing emergency responsiveness and disaster management, together with highlighting the importance of controlling the spread of hazardous infections to ensure patient safety at hospitals, will be amongst the key topics at the Congress.

Supported by the Ministry of Health UAE Health Authority and the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and Medical Services, the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress is accredited by American Academy of Continuing Medical Education. The congress has begun discussions and debates on key issues that impact the medical industry. Speakers from various healthcare disciplines and ancillary industries are scheduled to conduct interactive sessions and forums during the event. The nine congress sessions touch upon every facet of the industry including Primary Healthcare & Metabolic Syndrome; Patient Safety & Infection Control; Emergency Congress; Disaster Management; Healthcare Insurance, Management and role of IT in the healthcare sector.

"For the first time in Abu Dhabi, Arab Health has staged a comprehensive medical event covering the major topics affecting the healthcare industry today. Medical professionals and suppliers have been very receptive to this event and we have received a strong visitor response. The various congresses being held during the event are facilitating interactive discussion forums and creating networking platforms for medical professionals. We are certain that these sessions at the event will equip the healthcare professionals in the region to embrace the challenges within the industry," said Simon Page of IIR.