UAE National wins a seat in the Governing Council of the Committee of the International Network Towards Non-Smoking Hospitals

Mr. Al Madani, who is also the regional representative of International Hospital Federation and the FDI World Dental Federation in the Middle East and North Africa will become the first Arab national to be part of the twelve-member Governing Council. With 120 member countries, this remarkable appointment has brought tremendous honor to the United Arab Emirates.

Professor Per-Gunnar Svensson, the Director General of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) and the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Committee of the International Network Towards Non-Smoking Hospitals said in his statement issued after the meeting, 'The selection of Mr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, from the United Arab Emirates for this prestigious office was in appreciation of the big efforts undertaken by him to preserve the health of society through developing the standards of health services and his presentation of many ideas and proposals which have contributed to supporting the activities of the two federations in the Middle East and North Africa.'

Professor Svensson added, 'Mr. Abdul Salam Al Madani had worked relentlessly since his selection as the representative for the IHF and the FDI World Dental Federation to represent the Middle East countries in general and the United Arab Emirates in particular in all international forums. Dubai hosted the IHF Pan-Regional Conference for the first time in the Middle East in March 2004 and has been selected to host the FDI Annual World Dental Congress in 2007.

Additionally, the first International Anti-Smoking Conference to be held in January 2006 in Kuwait will be supported by the Continuing Education and Awareness Campaign from IHF and the Committee of the International Network Towards Non-Smoking Hospitals. These accomplishments are due to the great efforts undertaken by Mr. Al Madani since his selection as a regional representative for IHF and the World Dental Federation and his success in presenting the Emirates as a meeting point for civilizations, an oasis of security and peace. We at the Committee of the International Network Towards Non-Smoking Hospitals, are proud to have a new member for the first time from an Arab country. We will support him to attain more achievements in international scientific forums, benefit all member countries, and to ensure communication and cooperation among member countries in the field of smoking control.'

Professor Svensson concluded that the success of Abdul Salam Al Madani in organizing many medical conferences and exhibitions annually in the Emirate of Dubai and his continuous efforts to organize training programs and workshops as well as activating the continuous medical education programs has shown the whole world the great attention given by the Middle East to cultural, social, and economic aspects which play an important role in developing health services so as to protect and maintain a healthy society. Furthermore, the conferences and exhibitions which allow for direct contact between medical professionals from different countries all over the world has lead to a greater cultural understanding among the different civilizations; something which many international forums have failed to accomplish.

Responding to this commentary, Mr. Al Madani expressed his appreciation for receiving this honour and added that this a new achievement for the United Arab Emirates which has been possible only because of the unlimited support provided by H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan, the President of UAE, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum the Vice-President of UAE, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the members of the Supreme Council of the Federation. Also Mr. Al Madani indicated that such achievement is not only important for the UAE, but for all Arab countries. Mr. Al Madani ended by expressing his eagerness to work with all international parties and especially with the Committee of the International Network Towards Non-Smoking Hospitals to eradicate this bad habit which costs the developing countries millions of material and human losses.