HMI and DHCC present medical education event

A distinguished multidisciplinary faculty will present updated knowledge regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes.

The two-day program, which will take place May 23-24th at the Knowledge Village Conference Centre in Dubai, is organized by HMI and DHCC.

"Diabetes is an emerging health concern in the region, and this program has been designed to respond to the needs of health care professionals in the region who are working to prevent this disease from reaching epidemic proportions, as it has in other parts of the world," said Omar Moawiyah Al Shunnar, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, DHCC.

Specialty Practi-Med Dubai builds on the success of the first Practi-Med event held in Dubai, which in December 2003 attracted more than 1,200 health care professionals to hear about advances in clinical practice. At that event, overflow crowds gathered to hear lectures on the prevention and management of diabetes and its complications, and with good reason: the World Health Organization estimates that the Middle East is home to more than 3.5 million type 2 diabetes sufferers, a number that could grow rapidly over the next two decades if current trends continue.

The program will address the full scope of diabetes-related issues, such as prevention and treatment, and provide information about specific complications, such as cardiovascular disease and lipid disorders, diabetic kidney disease, and diabetic retinopathy.

"This program represents a great opportunity to get out ahead of this disease, before it becomes a tremendous burden on the health care system, as has occurred elsewhere in the world," said Dr. Harvey Makadon, vice president of health systems at HMI, who designed the concept behind Specialty Practi-Med. "In the UAE, there is a concern that the advances in technology and convenience that have helped this country evolve so rapidly could negatively impact the health of its people. Globally, there is a direct correlation between decreased physical activity and increased overweight and obesity. And so while treatment of diabetes and its related conditions is a large emphasis of this program, it is also crucial to enrich prevention efforts and encourage physicians to make patient education an integral part of their practice."

"Dr. Makadon and HMI have assembled an impressive roster of authorities in the field of diabetes, and worked with local leaders in medicine to design a program respondent to the specific concerns of physicians in the region," said Al Shunnar. "In addition to this program in May, plans are already underway to offer Practi-Med Dubai 2004 in December."