UAE and Saudi Arabia scoop health awards

A record number of nominations were received for the awards - an independent endorsement of the quality of the region's healthcare professionals, companies and organisation. The winners were announced at a gala dinner in Dubai attended by over 700 of the region's leading healthcare professionals.

The awards cover eight areas of medical provision:

- The award for imaging and diagnostics went to the radiology department of the Saudi German Hospital, Saudi Arabia
- The award for surgery went to Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, UAE
- Tawam Hospital also picked up the award for information technology
- The laboratory award went to Dubai Hospital.
- The quality healthcare improvement award went to the Ambulance Health Care Services of Seha, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company
- An award for emergency medical services was made to the Department of Cardiac Sciences, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi.
- The award for hospital education and training went to the Education Department of Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- The infection control award went to King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The awards were created to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and hospitals, departments or teams that have contributed to the growth and development of the quality of the health sector in the Middle East.

"Competition was extremely strong with over 100 individuals and hospital departments nominated. Winning one of these awards, judged by an independent panel, is a prestigious achievement and we are delighted to acknowledge the best in the region,"

said Simon Page, Director of Life Sciences Division at IIR Middle East, organisers of Arab Health - the second biggest healthcare event of its kind in the world - and of the awards.

The judges were: Fiona Nicholas, Partner, Healthcare Advisory Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Dubai; Dr Joel J. Nobel, Founder and President Emeritus ECRI; Derick P. Pasternak, Managing Director, Joint Commission International, Middle East Office; and Brian Johnston, Chief Executive of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.

Seha, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, was this year's lead sponsor of the Arab Health Awards.