The Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, Awad Saghir Al Ketbi, inaugurated the activities of the 6th Middle East International Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine Conference & Exhibition (MEIDAM), which is being held under the patronage of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Award for Medical Sciences.
The opening took place in the presence of H.E Mirza Al Sayegh and H.E Dr. Ahmed Al Hashemi, members of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, Dr. Hussain Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary at Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dr. Ahmed Al Mandhari, Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and Mr. Hussam Shaheen from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. More than 1500 doctors from 14 countries are participating in this first in-person conference after the country recovered from the Covid 19 pandemic, heralding the return of things to what they were before the pandemic.
Dr.Khaled Al Nuaimi, President of the conference said, “We hold this assembly in the presence of more than 1500 doctors, the participation of 14 countries from all continents of the world, and more than 164 local, regional, and international speakers. With the respectable presence of the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global scientific leader in our conference, as well as The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as a global humanitarian partner, we are honored to announce that the conference has decided to allocate a considerable part of its income to support UNHCR in its humanitarian programs in the Middle East, as part of the donation initiative launched by the conference since its commencement, and to encourage the culture of contribution in the region.”
“The scientific agenda of the conference will consist of six parallel scientific programs for three consecutive days, in which we will host strategic scientific partners. The Schedule will also include workshops and scientific programs for the participating societies.”
“We are also pleased to host the meeting of representatives of the dermatology training program from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, through a scientific public workshop, to interact with colleagues, exchange ideas and gather perspective, and then make relevant recommendations, for the greater good concerning the scientific experience of the new doctors and trainees, and to enhance their efficiency and professionalism”, he added.
He confirmed that the conference will also include a full-day scientific program dedicated to members of the “Arab Society of Plastic Surgery”, which gathers the official societies of plastic surgery in the Arab world, to discuss the latest developments and advancement in plastic surgery medicine.
“I am also honored to announce the launching of the "Middle East International Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine - MEIDAM" as a non-profit scientific organization, under the umbrella of Dubai Association Centre , aiming to raise the level of training and scientific research in dermatology, with the collaboration of the official scientific associations in the region and the world at large”, the President of the conference continued.
“What could be the most prominent event that the MEIDAM conference has developed since its inception six years ago, is the ‘Entrepreneur Award’ which was presented in appreciation to those who had a significant role in developing the scientific research and enriched the medical sector in recognition for their contributions.”
“Today, and with all gratitude, I am proud to present this year’s Award to the late His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may his soul rest in peace, in honor of his generous life. We are sure his immense extent of good deeds will preserve the memory of this great man that embodied a unique combination of generosity and wisdom. He spared no effort in continuously providing all resources to improve and develop the scientific and medical sector. As we humbly present this Award to his pure soul, we can only feel proud to have this opportunity to honor his virtues.”
The Director of the world Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari confirmed the state`s control of the “covid-19” pandemic, and the return of life to normal, calling on everyone to adhere to following precautionary measures, especially since there are several countries in which the vaccination rate did not exceed 20%.
Al-Mandhari said that the pandemic infected more than 226 million people, and left more than 4.6 million deaths, and in the region the number of infections has reached more than 15 million and more than 280,000 deaths, and it still poses a great challenge to health authorities. He added that this meeting of dermatologists from 41 countries in Dubai is clear evidence of the UAE`s control of the epidemic.
Hossam Shahin from the United Nations High for Refugees Commissioner said, “Today 82.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes, the highest number UNHCR has ever seen since its creation. Two thirds of the forcibly displaced come from only five countries: Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar. 2020 had many challenges and difficulties posed by the pandemic in various fields and at all levels, without exception. The impact on refugees and displaced persons has been significant, eliminating jobs and savings, causing widespread hunger and forcing many refugee children to leave school permanently”.
“There was urgency to find a quick solution and develop new programs in order to control the social and economic turmoil and provide the required assistance to the vulnerable communities. UNHCR and its partners were ready for the challenge, and in partnership with WHO, they increased the capacity of the hospitals, medical centers and ICU’s, and support the national health plan by raising awareness about Covid-19 and establishing Covid-19 isolation centers to serve the Refugees and the internally displaced population. Moreover, UNHCR provided emergency aid, provided services, and supported income-generating activities in the most vulnerable communities, this wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution of our strategic partners in the government, private sectors and the generous donors In the light of the increase in need every day, we are fully aware that we are still facing great challenges, so we rely on our partnerships to provide the necessary assistance and emergency aid and services to continue our work and response to the pandemic consequences and the excruciating living situation that the Refugees are facing around the world”, he added.
