Experts set the region's medical agenda at MEA Healthcare Conference 2009

The event, which takes place on Wednesday 24th June at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, will feature an opening keynote address from Mr Ki Wan Kim, CEO of LG Electronics MEA, alongside Dr Mohammed Nassif of the Department of Health and Frank Welvaert, Director of Corporate Social for Johnson & Johnson, Europe, Middle East and North Africa.

"The healthcare industry is a prime example of collaboration driving progress and change. Pioneering technology is a vital component, but at LG we also realise the importance of constructive conversation across the broader industry. This week's MEA Healthcare Conference provides a forum for the region's medical community to focus on issues that are specifically relevant to local population and supports practical advancements in health and hygiene at home and in the workplace,"

said Mr Ki Wan Kim

A series of medical lectures on respiratory, skin and nutrition concerns will expand on the health problems that are most common in the MEA region. Discussion will be led by a panel of medical experts including Dr. Ayman Ali Fraihat, ENT Consultant and head & neck surgeon, Dr. Anwar Al Hammadi, a specialist dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Dubai Healthcare City; and Ms. Caroline Kanaan, clinical dietician at the Advanced Nutrition Centre, also based in Dubai Healthcare City. Selected for their medical expertise as well as experience in the region, the panel will present the latest advancements and practices in addressing prevailing health issues.

Bridging the individual and business aspects of healthcare, the MEA Healthcare Conference will feature presentations and testimonials on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle by leading healthcare product and service provider, Johnson & Johnson, as well as the application of the public private partnership business model to the region's healthcare industry by the Agha Khan Medical University.

"Just as cultures, landscapes and climates vary from region to region, equally so do the trends in health issues that different populations experience," said Mr Welvaert. "By identifying and addressing the common concerns specific to people in the Middle East and Africa, we can work as a collective industry to tackle these trends and provide healthcare products and services that are appropriate to people's needs. The MEA Healthcare Conference provides a much needed forum for sharing information and ideas."

At the event, LG will be revealing the latest results of a survey conducted in association with research organisation Synovate into healthcare issues across the region. The research, conducted in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran and South Africa builds on previous studies by LG and Synovate that aim to identify and understand consumers' health concerns and the resulting demands on healthcare facilities, as well as for home and office hygiene protection.

Developed with input from the LG-Synovate studies into the region's healthcare and hygiene concerns, LG will also showcase an extension to its premium HealthCare Collection at the MEA Healthcare Conference.

The original Healthy Living Collection line up was launched in 2007 to offer a sophisticated range of digital appliances that are designed to provide optimum hygiene in homes and offices. The new product line currently includes air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, light wave ovens, vacuum cleaners and air purifiers.