Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Health Authority, the 3rd edition of International Family Medicine Conference and Exhibition (IFM) will begin tomorrow at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition centre, themed "Overcoming Challenges in Primary Health Care".

The IFM exhibition hosts 75 participating companies from 60 countries, while the conference will witness the participation of more than 50 professional speakers in a number of scientific sessions that will improve public health and address chronic diseases. The conference’s agenda of IFM this year includes 12 intensive scientific sessions, 8 workshops, and 53 scientific posters.

Dr. Ibtesam Al Bastaki, Director of VPS Healthcare for Dubai and Northern Regions, and the Chairperson of IFM Conference said, "United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are the leading force of healthcare within the GCC market. The total healthcare expenditure in UAE is projected to be doubled. Therefore and with the aging population, the healthcare demand will increase. On top of that, the cardiovascular disease is considered the main cause of death, which makes the biggest challenge to start by screening the young population for instant from age of 18 years and above. The major issue is to screen them for the causes of CVD such as diabetes, HTN and Hyperlipidemia. IFM focuses this year on promoting a healthy wellbeing through a specialized session, to reflect the importance of living healthy."

The conference will discuss topics like Medical Tourism, Health Promotion and Prevention, Health Checks, How to Fight Against Smoking, Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Healthcare, Respiratory Disease in Primary Healthcare, How to Fight Against Obesity, Mother and Child Health, Occupational Health, Mental Health, Leadership and Quality of care at PHC, and Care for Senior Citizens and many more.

The International Family Medicine Conference and Exhibition is organised yearly by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – member of INDEX Holding, and it will continue until 19th of April.

The event is also supported by Ministry of Health in the UAE, Dubai Health Authority, Global Scientific Healthcare Alliance, Health Ministers Council for Gulf Cooperation Council States, International Hospital Federation, Anti-Smoking International Alliance, INDEX Healthcare Management, and Dubai Sports Council.

Source:WAM