Mr. Abdullah Bin Souqat, the Executive Director of the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, announced that the award is to support the esophageal Reflux awareness campaign and the accompanying medical conference from 28 to 30 May. The 2 events are held in conjunction with the World Digestive Health Day, whose slogan this year is "Heartburn: A Global perspective".

 

This came during the press conference held today morning by the Emirates Digestive Diseases Group at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City, in the presence of a group of media people and the representatives of the strategic partners.

 

During the press conference, Dr. Ali Fazari, the Chairman of the Emirates Digestive Diseases Group said that the group is proud to organize these two events under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

 

He referred to the high incidence rates of the esophageal reflux on the world level as a result of smoking, obesity, life style and psychological exhaustion.

 

For his part, Abdullah bin Souqat spoke about the role of the Hamdan Medical Award in supporting the awareness campaigns within the UAE with the aim of improving the provided healthcare services. “Based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the award is keen on improving the provided healthcare services through supporting governmental and private institutions and authorities”, he said.

 

“The main theme of the awareness campaign and the accompanying scientific conference goes in line with the main topic of the 9th term of the Award 2015-2016, namely Gastroenterology. The award focuses in its current term on all topics and events related to the digestive system diseases. Also, at the end of the term, the outstanding personalities in this important field on the world level will be honored”, he said.

 

Speaking about the awareness campaign and the accompanying conference, Abdullah bin Souqat praised the concerted efforts exerted by many official and private associations in this regard. Also, he mentioned to the good timing of holding the awareness campaign, a few days before receiving the holy month of Ramadan. “As a result of wrong diets during Ramadan, many people suffer from this kind of diseases”, he added.

 

It is worthy to mention that the press conference was held in the presence of the representatives of the strategic partners of the campaign, namely Dr. Haifa Hamad from the Primary Health Care Department, the Ministry of Health, and Mrs. Khadija Al Mansouri, from the health Promotion Directorate, Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah. Also the press conference was attended by Dr. Jamil Ahmed from the Prime Hospital, one of the local partners of the campaign.