NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Congress to be held in Abu Dhabi

HA-AD and Seha are collaborating with NCCN and PRIME Oncology to organize The 2nd Annual Middle East and North Africa NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Congress.

It will bring together health practitioners from the United States and the entire region to foster discussion on our common goal to raise health standards and streamline management of cancer. The conference will be held at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi.

H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of HA-AD stated that, "We are pleased to be working together with NCCN to bring such an important forum to the UAE, as we believe there is a great need for standardization and cooperation in managing this growing global health concern."

H.E. Zaid Al Siksek, CEO of HA-AD added, "The aim of the Congress is to create a forum for the development of regional standards with guidelines and protocols for prevention and treatment of cancer, with consideration to local needs and resources. The Congress will also include discussion of important issues and challenges in disseminating and implementing these guidelines."

"Our support for NCCN underscores Seha's mandate to provide quality health education and is a testament to Abu Dhabi's commitment to modern healthcare, ongoing research, and international collaboration," commented H.E. Saif Bader Al Qubaisi, Managing Director, Seha.

Carl Stanifer, CEO of Seha, added:

"The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology comprise guidelines for the most prevalent cancers in the region: breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, prostate cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The NCCN Guidelines also include standards for supportive care. They are internationally recognized standards that establish the benchmarks for measurement of clinical progress within the oncology community."

Dr. Ali Abdulkarim Al Obaidli, Director of Clinical Affairs for Seha, noted, "Seha's goal is to raise the bar of healthcare delivery in general and cancer care in particular in Abu Dhabi and the region. By sponsoring this Congress with HA-AD, we are bringing some of the best minds and practitioners together to address the needs specific to our region. I believe this demonstrates Seha's level of commitment to excellence that will translate into better outcomes and breakthroughs in treatment plans over time.

The 2009 Congress will consist of a series of lectures by international experts providing clinical perspectives on the most recent developments of the seven key types of cancers. An estimated 350 participants are expected to attend the three-day program, which will bring forward recommendations for modifications of the NCCN Guidelines with their validity and potential incorporation evaluated by contributing experts. Participants of the forum will receive a copy of the regional manuscript subsequent to the session. Additionally, it will be published in the JNCCN - The Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

In 2008, NCCN held the first annual symposium in Al Ain, UAE. Supported by HA-AD, this event became the springboard for the programme topics that will be presented at the upcoming forum in Abu Dhabi.

The Al Ain forum attracted multidisciplinary delegates representing 15 countries including medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pharmacists, paramedics, and other health professionals.

NCCN launched the NCCN International Guidelines Symposia Series in 2003 to communicate the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology in a direct and interactive way to local oncologists and other clinical professionals around the world. The aim of these symposia is to share guidelines and stimulate transmission and adoption - with appropriate modification as noted in regional manuscripts and foreign edition guidelines - of the NCCN Guidelines in those countries.

Due to the success and growing demand for the NCCN International Guidelines Symposia Series, NCCN continues to expand in other parts of the world. Its educational symposia similar to the Annual Middle East & North Africa NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Congress have been held in China, India, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.