DUBAI, UAE, 3 FEBRUARY 2015: Healthcare experts at the CME accredited, two-day Health Conference, hosted by City University London in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center at Dubai Healthcare City, concluded assistive technology, including mobile health and telecare – will play a key role in the healthcare industry, and in combating chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Chronic diseases are having a serious impact on the health of the UAE. According to the UAE Ministry of Health, cancer and cardiovascular disease are two of the three leading causes of death in the country, whilst the most recent International Diabetes Federation data reports there are 37 million diabetics in the region, including 803,900 in the UAE.
Nearly 200 people were in attendance over the two-day event, including students, graduates, teachers, family physicians, residents, doctors, and other allied health professionals at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center. In its first year, the covered topics included: Language, learning and cognition in children and young people, and the implications for assessment and management of chronic diseases.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Ehsan Razavizadeh, Regional Director & Head of Dubai Centre, City University London commented:
“We have been delighted to host the Health Conference in collaboration with Dubai Healthcare City. It was an inspiring conference, full of energy, enthusiasm and knowledge transfer. Participants and speakers were keen to take the opportunity to share their knowledge and best practices in the health and education field.
“This event gave delegates an increased awareness of the different ways of supporting language and learning in children and adolescents with special educational needs, how colour vision changes in normal aging and disease, the use of digital technology in the management of chronic diseases. The conference tackled some of the important issues facing UAE’s health and education systems. “
Professor Stanton Newman, Dean School of Health Sciences and the Pro Vice Chancellor (International), City University London said:
“It was a great pleasure to be able to share some of our world-leading research at a wonderful venue. The challenges that health presents to the UAE very much mirror our own, and by sharing best practice and our expertise we hope to be able to work with the sector so that it is best able to respond to the changes required and also contribute to the existing excellence in the region.
“This event also helps us build on our strong relationships with Dubai and its resident health professionals, raising awareness of the expertise present in the School of Health Sciences at City University London. Hopefully this is also just the start of what is a very long and fruitful relationship for all parties.”
Marwan Abedin, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Healthcare City, said:
“Increasingly, patients are ready to rely on technology to play a greater role in their care, and healthcare providers are embracing mobile health and telemedicine tools to enhance efficiencies. Innovation is becoming a key force behind mitigating chronic diseases. Events such as the School of Health Sciences Health Conference play an important role in facilitating knowledge transfer and further exchange between academia and industry. Through Dubai Healthcare City’s academic operations and through our dedicated academic complex, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center, we are pleased to extend our long standing partnership with City University London.”
“Increasingly, patients are ready to rely on technology to play a greater role in their care, and healthcare providers are embracing mobile health and telemedicine tools to enhance efficiencies. Innovation is becoming a key force behind mitigating chronic diseases. Events such as the School of Health Sciences Health Conference play an important role in facilitating knowledge transfer and further exchange between academia and industry. Through Dubai Healthcare City’s academic operations and through our dedicated academic complex, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center, we are pleased to extend our long standing partnership with City University London.”
Professor Stanton Newman, Dean School of Health Sciences and the Pro Vice Chancellor (International), City University London formally opened the conference with a keynote speech. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from several leading professors and the floor was open for a panel discussion.
Keynote speakers included: Victoria Joffe, Associate Dean, Taught Postgraduate Studies, and International; Professor of Child and Adolescent Language and Learning, School of Health Sciences, City University London, Gary Morgan, Professor of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, City University London, Ms. Hind Al Mulla, Chief of Engagement, Knowledge and Human Development and Authority (KHDA), John Barbour, Professor of Optics and Visual Science, School of Health Sciences, and Dr Imran Ansari, Physician, Ophthalmology, The Specialist Diabetes Treatment & Research Centre – Imperial College London.
