On Behalf of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Dubai Health Authority Director General Inaugurates the 4th Emirates Cardiac Society Congress The Congress includes 18 Scientific Sessions Discussing the Latest Developments in Heart Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Thursday, November 7th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
25% of Deaths in the UAE are caused by Cardiac and Vascular Diseases

Dubai, UAE, 7 November 2013: On behalf of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, and President of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), H.E. Engineer Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor, the Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, inaugurated the 4th Emirates Cardiac Society Congress and the First Pediatric Cardiology Meeting under the theme “Heart Failure.” The inauguration took place this morning at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. The event will be attended by approximately 1,000 cardiac and artery physicians and specialists from around the world.

Organized in cooperation with the Dubai Health Authority and the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, the event is supported by Dubai Healthcare City and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center.

In his remarks delivered on behalf of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, and President of Dubai Health Authority, H.E. Engineer Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor the Director General of the Dubai Health Authority stressed the importance of Continuous Medical Education (CME) programs in order to ensure developing the efficiency of medical health care staff. This is in line with the strategy set by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; his brother H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; and their brothers- the members of the Federal Supreme Council who are the Rulers of the UAE. He noted that the strategy aims to elevate individual capabilities and develop human skills and resources; it also plays a major role in progressing towards new horizons of advancements and keeping pace with the latest improvements in developmental fields in general and in medical fields in particular, especially the sciences related to cardiology and heart surgeries.

He said: “During the past few years, the UAE has been able to achieve quantitative shifts in heart disease diagnosis and treatments through modern and advanced technologies. The country now occupies a leading position in this sector. This has been accomplished by opening cardio clinics, launching awareness programs across all levels, opening training fields to medical staff in cities and emirates of the UAE.”

He underscored the UAE’s attention towards confronting chronic diseases, which constitute major burdens on patients and their families, as well as on the socio-economic systems. He noted that this requires furthering efforts, ensuring the availability of needed potentials, providing proper solutions to help patients and reduce their suffering, and innovating suitable treatments that cure patients.

H.E. Engineer Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor valued the role played by the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences in fields of medical learning, scientific research, awareness, and health education on different diseases including cardiac and vascular diseases.

He added: “Convening this congress stresses the commitment of different medical institutions and interested parties, such as doctors and researchers, to continue scientific research and medical developments related to heart diseases, in addition to becoming acquainted with the latest developments and modern technologies available globally in this field.”

In his speech, Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Chairman of the Institute of Cardiac Sciences at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, President of the Emirates Cardiac Society and Congress Chairman, highlighted the importance of the congress in light of the increasing numbers of cardiac and vascular disease cases, which are a major cause of death globally. He noted that one out of four deaths in the UAE is caused by cardiac and vascular diseases, and the number is expected to grow due to the spread of risk factors in society such as: diabetes, hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol, and unhealthy lifestyles.

“We have realized through experiments and research on the local and regional level that our patients are facing acute symptoms of heart disease at a relatively early age,” he said noting the negative impacts of these diseases on the human and economic aspects on personal and social levels.

Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali explained the efforts made by the Emirates Cardiac Society to spread awareness on risk factors causing cardiac and vascular diseases in order to promote heart and vascular health and the prevention of these diseases. He also discussed the role played by the Emirates Cardiac Society to support scientific research and benefit from global experiences to enhance the general health of society members and depend on established partnerships with local, regional, and international agencies, institutions, and professional organizations.

The Congress Chairman said: “The congress’ higher committee was intent on enriching the scientific session and accompanying workshops by launching research and scientific papers discussing the latest developments in all branches and specializations related to cardio and vascular diseases. The scientific program of the congress consists of more than 10 workshops and 18 scientific sessions including more than 80 scientific lectures delivered by experts from the UAE, Arabian Gulf, and other parts of the world.”

Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali referred to the First Pediatric Cardiology Meeting held in conjunction with congress to discuss cardiac congenital disorders occurring in children prior to their birth or after due to genetic factors and acquired diseases during their growth.

Following the speeches, H.E. Engineer Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, inaugurated the medical exhibition that is organized alongside the congress. A total of 25 companies specialized in manufacturing medicines and medical equipment for diagnosing and treating heart disease are participating in the exhibition. H.E. Engineer Al Maidoor listened to briefs from the company representatives regarding the latest medicines and technological developments in this specialized medical sector.

The three-day congress will discuss topics related to the latest developments in fields of diagnosing and treating cardiac and vascular diseases, valve stenosis, electrocardiography, cardiac arrhythmia, acute heart failure, catheter via hand wrist, valve replacement via surgery or catheter, atrial fibrillation, coronary arterial disease, smoking and its relation to cardiac and vascular diseases, sonography, CT scans in cardiac imaging, and heart surgeries.

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