Prestigious AASLD conference exclusively returns to Saudi Arabia to help combat liver diseases and hepatitis C

At this year’s ‘Best of AASLD Saudi Arabia’ conference, leading health care professionals and scientists have gathered to discuss the latest developments in liver disease, including on-going efforts to eliminate the hepatitis C (HCV) virus by 2030.

The AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) is the leading organization of scientists and health care professionals committed to preventing and curing liver disease. In partnership with SASLT, the association selected Riyadh as the only city to host a satellite conference, the prestigious ‘Best of AASLD’, outside of the United States. The conference is also supported by AbbVie, a global research and development-based biopharmaceutical company with operations in Saudi Arabia.

Topics for the conference include: new trends in hepatitis B management, bariatric surgery, liver cirrhosis and biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in addition to a session about the new era of HCV management.

This meeting of leading AASLD experts in Saudi Arabia is a positive extension of the on-going efforts by the Government to eliminate hepatitis C in the Kingdom by 2030. The most recent example of the Government’s commitment to end hepatitis C is the Etmaen campaign, which was launched in early 2016 by the Ministry of Health and SASLT, in cooperation with AbbVie.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, Head of SASLT, said: “The ‘Best of AASLD’ is one of the top liver conferences in the world, and it is a significant achievement to bring this prestigious conference to Saudi Arabia for the second year in a row. The conference draws attention to the burden that liver diseases impose on patients and the healthcare system. Through the collaboration of AASLD, SASLT, AbbVie and the Saudi authorities, we can help identify new solutions to end HCV together, especially with the availability of the latest treatments, to completely eradicate HCV virus.” He added: “the conference is part of the continuous efforts to close the knowledge and treatment gap between the medical community in the Kingdom and international practice. “In line with the Saudi Vision 2030, this meeting will enable the Saudi medical community to update their knowledge and skills in treating liver diseases in the Kingdom through learning about the latest international research and treatments.”

Commenting on the collaboration between AASLD and Saudi Arabia, Mr. Steven Erchard, CEO of AASLD said: “At AASLD, we are working closely alongside the Ministry of Health, SASLT, AbbVie, and our partners to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to elevate the standards of healthcare. Through bringing AASLD to Saudi Arabia, the only country to host AASLD outside the U.S., we can share the latest knowledge and expertise in the hepatology field to make a remarkable impact on patients in Saudi Arabia.”