Largest UAE gathering of transplant specialists mark 13th Congress of Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation

More than 800 specialists attended the first day of the organ transplantation conference which is being held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairperson of General Women's Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

"Leading specialists will share their insights on organ transplantation practice, offering delegates up-to-date information on the latest trends and challenges in organ donation and transplantation. We are privileged to host this significant international event that will enhance the standard of transplant programmes throughout the region," said H.E. Saif Bader Al Qubaisi, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA).

For the past 25 years, MESOT has successfully set up and expanded transplant programmes across the Middle East. It is the regional pioneer in enhancing transplantation activities and providing a platform for networking

Speaking about their support in the event, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) Director General, H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili said, "ADEC is delighted to offer its support at the 13th Congress of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation, which will help improve the persisting shortage of organs for transplantation, since addressing the issue will educate our youths and the community in general about the severity of the problem."

International experts including John Fung, Kathryn Wood, Faissal Shaheen and Mustafa Al-Mousawi will address topics covering ethical issues, best practices and use of current procedures enabling medical professionals to incorporate the most up-to-date research into their clinical practice.

The widely published author and expert on organ transplantation, Dr.Flavio Vincenti, will speak on the current status of co-stimulatory blockade agents, while the previous MESOT president and leading expert on ethical issues on organ transplant programmes, Dr. Al-Mousawi, will address social and religious issues affecting organ transplantation in the MESOT region.

Dr. Francis Delmonico, Professor of Surgery Harvard Medical School at the Massachusetts General Hospital and President of The Transplantation Society, will speak on the value of international cooperation on organ allocation and will lead a plenary discussion on transplantation commercialisation and organ trafficking.

The Transplant Games is the largest sports gathering of organ transplant donors and beneficiaries with over 150 athletes from 23 countries who will compete in running, swimming, table tennis and bowling heats. This year is unique as women athletes will feature for the first time in the regional games. The 4thMiddle East Transplant Games (METG) from 14th- 15th December at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi.

The main sponsor for the 13thCongress of The Middle East Society of Organ Transplantation is SEHA Health System and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company. Novartis, Amgen and Roche are platinum sponsors, while Daman Insurance, One Lambda and Hikma are gold sponsors with support fromAbu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Fresenius Biotechas silver sponsors.