UAE Healthcare Unites for Public Health Conference at Arab Health

Dubai, UAE – Healthcare authorities in the United Arab Emirates, including the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), and Emirates Health Services (EHS), joined forces today to support the ongoing Public Health Conference 2024 at Arab Health in Dubai.

In his keynote speech, Dr. Ramadan Alblooshi, Senior Advisor to the Director General of Dubai Health Authority, emphasized the significance of public health, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He called for increased funding investment in public health, both locally and globally.

Dr. Alblooshi outlined critical public health priority areas for 2024 and beyond, including genomes, mental health, occupational health, non-communicable diseases, pandemics, climate change, and support for people of determination. The DHA aims to strengthen public health capabilities and infrastructure, aligning with global health risk management frameworks.

The conference aims to foster collaboration and partnerships, with the DHA establishing strong ties with international entities such as the UK Health Security Agency, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Public Health Agency of Sweden.

Experts from various international associations and health authorities, including the World Health Organisation, the Ministry of Health Singapore, and the International Association for National Public Health Institutes, are participating in the conference. Topics include healthier lifestyle and behavior change, occupational and environmental health, innovation and sustainability in public health, and crisis and disaster management.

Prominent discussions today included new approaches to surveillance and infectious diseases by Prof. Vernon Lee from the Ministry of Health Singapore and an update on integrated surveillance for respiratory infections by H.E. Dr. Farida Al Hosani from the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.

The conference is part of the broader Arab Health event, featuring conferences on emergency medicine, surgery, radiology, diabetes, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, quality management, infection control, and Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD). Medical professionals attending the exhibition will have access to 10 Continuing Medical Education (CME) conferences.

Ross Williams, Exhibition Director for Informa Markets, expressed pride in the collaborative efforts of UAE healthcare authorities and anticipates fruitful discussions shaping the future of public health in the region.

The conference continues tomorrow (30 January), facilitating further dialogue on pressing global health challenges and advancements in healthcare practices.