SKMC organizes the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Update Conference on 20 March 2010

The conference will be chaired by Dr. Laila Abdel-Wareth, Chair of Laboratory Medicine at SKMC; and Dr. Robby Bacchus, Coordinator UKAS/CPA, RCPath representative to WASPaLM. A distinguished faculty of experts from the Royal College of Pathologists- UK will present the latest views on various aspects of Laboratory Accreditation, Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology and Anatomic pathology. The conference will host up to 200 delegates and targets laboratory medicine professionals and clinicians with an interest in hematology, chemistry, microbiology or dermatology.

The speakers will cover various topics and updates in the field of laboratory medicine including quality, accreditation as well several new developments within the field of hematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry, anatomic pathology, diabetes, bladder carcinoma and vitamin D. The conference, which will start at 09.00 am until 05.00 pm, is accredited for six (6) hours of Continuous Medical Education (CME) by the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

The conference will start with presentations about laboratory accreditation for clinical pathology, followed by an update on diabetes and cardiac markers. The afternoon session will contain discussions about viral hepatitis and hemostasis testing while the final session will cover topics in anatomic pathology such as lymph node and urinary bladder cancer. Dr Afrozul Haq, Senior Clinical Scientist at the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department of SKMC will speak about Vitamin D, its deficiency and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Atul Mehta, Chief Medical Officer at SKMC, believes that holding this conference enhances SKMC role as a provider of comprehensive state-of-the-art patient care services, and as an active promoter of continuous medical education (CME). He avowed that "The conference will be an opportunity to exchange scientific and professional experiences by SKMC physicians, clinicians, technicians and other international institutions with the conference participants."

Dr. Laila Abdel-Wareth said: "We look forward for this opportunity to mingle with individuals with similar interests and views about Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. It is a real opportunity to take advantage of networking with colleagues as this is a valuable platform to share experiences, craft solutions and form lasting relationships with international medical centers and organizations."

Dr. Afrozul Haq also stated, "We are proud to welcome the elite group of professionals at this conference to share their successful knowledge and expertise with SKMC professionals and the UAE medical community."

"SKMC employs approximately 180 practitioners of clinical laboratory science in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine department who play an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease. In 2009, more than 2 million laboratory tests were performed for our in-patients and outpatients in SKMC's specialty clinics," Dr. Laila Abdel-Wareth added.