Hamdan bin Rashid inaugurates 10th GCC Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Conference

The three-day conference has attracted more than 750 specialists from the region and abroad. HH Sheikh Hamdan also toured the exhibition where more than 24 companies were exhibiting the latest advances in the field of ENT medicine.

His Excellency Essa Al Maidoor, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority said: "Hosting such conferences in all fields of medicine is of pertinent importance to ensure that our healthcare professionals are up-to-date with the latest in medical advances, treatment and technology. These conferences provide a platform for exchange of state-of-the-art information."

Speaking about Dubai becoming a hub for conferences, Al Maidoor said: "Dubai is known for its hospitality, excellent infrastructure and world-renowned hotels, all these factors play an important part in making Dubai a hub for hosting regional and international conferences."

The three-day conference will discuss the latest advances in treating head, neck and ENT related diseases including obstructive sleep apnoea, snoring as well as diagnosis of vertigo in patients and its management.

The conference will also discuss nose surgery for both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Dr Hussein Al Rehman, Medical Affairs of Dubai Hospital and Chairman of the conference said: "The conference will discuss several important topics including sleep disorders. The two most leading causes of sleep disorders in the UAE is snoring and sleep apnoea. This conference will host workshops where physicians will practise the latest methods to treat snoring."

He added that people are becoming aware that snoring is a disorder and that it can be treated. "Previously due to lack of awareness, not many patients came to us for treatment. However, with time we are seeing an increase in the number of patients."

He mentioned that on an average, daily, 6 to 8 patients visit the sleep lab in Dubai and Rashid Hospital for sleep related disorders.

Rehman said: "While sleep apnoea is directly related to obesity, there can be several other causes. The first line of treatment for anyone who is obese and suffers from sleep apnoea is to ask them to reduce their weight. Once that is achieved, we look into other treatment options."

He added that stress is also one of the causes of sleep disorders and mentioned that the rate of sleep disorders in the UAE is similar to those in developed countries.

Rehman added that the three-day conference will discuss all ENT related disorders in details and workshops will also be held on latest surgical options to treat these disorders.