News
1st UAE Organ Transplant Summit Concludes Scientific Dialogue
Sunday, Oct 04, 2015
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), today announced the successful conclusion of the 1st UAE Organ Transplant Summit, a scientific program on topics around organ transplantation in the region.
Dubai, October 4, 2015:
The one-day Summit took place on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center in Dubai Healthcare City. International and regional clinicians and academic investigators in the field addressed key areas - organ transplantation in the GCC; training and skills in transplant surgery; and challenges and outcomes.
Her Excellency Dr Raja Al Gurg, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of Dubai Healthcare City Authority opened the Summit that highlighted the increasing global interest in the field of organ transplantation against the growing incidence of diseases that cause organ failure.
The Summit was endorsed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBR-UMHS), the Emirates Medical Association (EMA) and the Emirates Medical Association Nephrology Society (EMAN).
The 1st UAE Organ Transplant Summit is a much-needed conversation starter for a region-wide dialogue in organ transplantation, said Dr Amer Ahmad Sharif, Managing Director – Education, Dubai Healthcare City, and the Head of the Summit’s Organizing Committee.
“The level of interest and attendance demonstrates how urgently we need to work with our stakeholders to save more lives. We are pleased to see momentum behind some of the key issues around the subject,” said Dr Sharif.
In concept, the 1st UAE Organ Transplant Summit will deliver a core objective – engage experts on a scientific level.
Organ damage or failure takes place due to a broad range of diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, infection and genetic disorders, explained Dr Farhad Janahi, Assistant Professor and Specialist Urologist at MBR-UMHS, Dubai Healthcare City, and Speaker at the Summit.
“Organ transplantation is the preferred option for patients with organ failure and for some patients it is the only option,” said Dr Janahi. “There is a need to enhance awareness of organ donation and share expertise to improve the long-term survival of patients with organ failure,” he said.
During the Summit, a few UAE-based kidney donors were recognized during an appreciation ceremony.
The Summit’s international speakers included Dr Faisal Shaheen, Director-General, Saudi Centre for Organ Transplantation; Dr David Hickey, Consultant Urologist and Transplant Surgeon, Former Director of the National Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Programme, Ireland; and Dr Baris Akin, Transplant Surgeon, Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, Turkey.
The UAE-based speakers included Dr Ali Al Obaidli, Chair of the Emirates Transplant Committee; Dr Bashir Sankari, Chief of Surgical Subspecialties, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi; Dr Mona Al Rukhaimi, President of EMAN; Dr Ramzi Abou Ayche, Consultant Nephrologist, Mediclinic City Hospital; and Dr Harith Muthana, Consultant Nephrologist, Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah.
