Primary Health Care To be Highlighted in IFM 2016

The International Family Medicine (IFM) takes “Overcoming Challenges in Primary Health Care” as its theme for the 3rd edition scheduled to be held from 17 – 19 April 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The scientific committee has announced earlier this week the theme of conference that will integrate primary care and public health for the sake of improving health programs and contributing towards the betterment of health in the UAE and the region. 

The 3rd edition of IFM will witness the participation of more than 45 professional speakers in a number of scientific sessions that will improve public health and address chronic diseases. The conference’s agenda this year includes 10 intensive scientific sessions and 4 workshops, and it will discuss topics like Medical Tourism, Non Communicable Diseases, Health Checks, How to Fight Against Smoking, Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Healthcare, Respiratory Disease in Primary Healthcare, How to Fight Against Obesity, Women’s Health, Occupational Health, Mental Health, Leadership and Quality of care at PHC, and Care for Senior Citizens. 

Dr. Ibtesam Al Bastaki, the director of health operations at Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the

Chairperson of IFM Conference said: “The Family physician was and will always be the gatekeeper for any issue related to health; and the core function of the International Family Medicine is to focus on the health prevention, promotion and treatment of various disease with the best practices on evidence based medicine.” 

“This year IFM 2016 has elaborated to touch the key elements related to health issues within the community not only within the region however worldwide which is done by getting the expertise from local and international region to ensure the knowledge transfer across the participants. A new addition to IFM this year is the preconference workshops which will escalate the participants’ knowledge to the next level and it will focus on practical aspects required by the family physicians.” Dr. Ibtesam Concluded

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 38 million people each year and sixteen million NCD deaths occur before the age of 70. In addition to that, cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths with 17 million annually, followed by cancers (8.2 million), respiratory diseases (4 million), and diabetes (1.5 million). These four groups of diseases account for 82% of all NCD deaths. 

The International Family Medicine Conference & Exhibition has become a platform for professional interaction and scientific discourse amongst healthcare specialists and practitioners to develop healthcare services in medical facilities, to keep up with global developments and to discuss various common diseases.

IFM is held 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, and it is organized yearly by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – member of INDEX Holding. The event is also supported by Ministry of Health in the UAE, Dubai Health Authority, Global Family Medicine Scientific Alliance, Health Ministers Council for Gulf Cooperation Council, International Hospital Federation, Anti-Smoking International Alliance, INDEX Healthcare Management, and Dubai Sports Council.