Second Abu Dhabi Medical Congress to focus on some critical medical sectors

Simon Page, Director of the Life Science Division at IIR Middle East, organisers of the congress, said:

"With rapid growth in population, the healthcare sector is expanding at a fast pace in the region - hence the need to focus on the latest research, technologies and trends. The Abu Dhabi Medical Congress is in effect three events under one roof and a call to action for healthcare professionals in these critical areas."

The congress from 26 - 28 October 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will feature leading international and regional exhibitors, representing companies from over 20 different countries; thousands of participants; and a series of high level conferences with more than 180 internationally recognised speakers.

"One of the most important issues in modern healthcare today is ensuring the safety of patients," Page said. "However, approximately one in five patients remains victims of errors. The Patient Safety Exhibition and Congress is a call to hospitals, healthcare centres and government agencies to make patient safety their highest priority, as well as providing draft guidelines to help clinicians and managers make it a reality."

The patient safety programme includes: infection control guidelines; global and regional epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance; strategies for 'flu outbreaks; avian influenza; pandemic planning; needle stick injuries; medical device related infections; and many other topics.

The Emergency Medical Exhibition and Congress also forms an integral part of the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress bringing together regional and international emergency service professionals and industry leaders along with product manufacturers and distributors.

The event features an advanced programme presented by leaders in emergency service provision and disaster management including: EMS safety and response; paramedic programmes; pre-hospital trauma life support; burn injury management; complex trauma injuries; ER protocols and set-up; disaster response; incident management; disaster information systems; and pandemic planning. The event will also witness the largest collection of ambulance companies in the region.

"Primary healthcare is the basis of every healthcare system and is the first point of contact for individuals, the family and community," Page added. "The Primary Healthcare Exhibition and Congress is a must for all professionals involved in hospitals, healthcare centres and government agencies."

An advanced programme presented by leaders in primary healthcare includes: metabolic syndrome; diabetes diagnosis and management; obesity; cardiovascular disease; bone and joint disorders; urology and nephrology; healthcare management; and many other topics.

"In addition, cancer is the main cause of adult deaths in the Middle East with breast cancer the biggest killer in the female population," Page added. "The inaugural Current Concepts in Modern Breast Healthcare Conference taking place at the congress will provide information that will have an immediate impact on practices of the multidisciplinary team involved in breast cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.

The Abu Dhabi Medical Congress has received widespread international and regional industry and healthcare sector support including: Partner - SEHA Abu Dhabi Health Services Company; Corporate sponsor - Mubadala Healthcare; Platinum sponsors - the American Heart Association, Mercer Middle East, WorldPoint; Gold sponsors - Schiller, Novo Nordisk, Soma Health, Global Medical Solutions, Maidis; Silver sponsor - Cellestis; Supporting sponsors - Steris, Cardiac Science, Stryker, Getinge, CISA, InterHealth Canada.

The congress is supported by the UAE Ministry of Health, the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Police Wing, Abu Dhabi Emergency and Public Safety Department and Dubai Health Authority.