International Family Medicine Conference & Exhibition Begins Today

Under the patronage of his Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Health Authority, the 3rd edition of International Family Medicine Conference & Exhibition (IFM) is slated to begin Today 17th of April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition centre. IFM 2016 will be held under the theme “Overcoming Challenges in Primary Health Care”. 

The 3rd edition of 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 Emirates, and the Chairperson of IFM Conference said: “UAE and KSA 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 & Child Health, Occupational Health, Mental Health, Leadership and Quality of care at PHC, and Care for Senior Citizens and many more. 

Happening parallel to the 3rd edition of IFM Conference and Exhibition, The 1st Edition of the Dubai Core Review Course on Cardiothoracic Surgery will be held for the first time outside the United Kingdom. The London Core Review program provides a comprehensive review of the core information required for surgeons preparing for competency written examination to qualify to practice cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. 

On the other hand, IFM will also host the 1st Seminar of the Anti-Smoking International Alliance under the theme “Together we combat smoking for our generation & the next generations”. The seminar aims to spread awareness among communities about the risks and outcomes of smoking, which has become one of the main causes of death annually. 

It is also worth mentioning that IFM Pre-conference courses started today 16th of April 2016 at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre in Dubai Healthcare City. The pre-conference courses include 4 workshops presented by 5 top notch speakers who will discuss topics like Homeopathy “The Gentle Art of Healing, Basic ECG Interpretation, Critical Appraisal, and Managing Diabetes in Elderly. 

The International Family Medicine Conference & Exhibition is organized yearly by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – member of INDEX Holding, and it will continue until 19th of April, 2016. 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.