The 1st International Pediatrics & Neonatology Conference in Abu Dhabi Attracts Over 300 Healthcare Professionals

Under the support of Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH), the 1stInternational Pediatric & Neonatology Conference commenced today at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Abu Dhabi. The conference organized by Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children in partnership with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Toronto, Canada, was attended by 300 healthcare professionals from UAE and the region. The 2-day conference is accredited for 16 CME hours.

The conference hosts seven international experts, five of which are from SickKids in Canada specializing in pediatric subspecialties including Neurology, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology and Orthopedics. Danat Al Emarat Hospital has previously signed a clinical partnership with SickKids that entails expanding and advancing pediatric subspecialties in the Emirate. 

H.E. Mohamed Hamad Al Hameli, Undersecretary of Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH) said, “DOH encourages such specialized conferences that focus on discussing sub-specialties that are mostly relevant to the community. Pediatric medical subspecialties, neonatology and pediatric surgical specialties are amongst the priorities to focus on. Well organized international medical conferences help bring international medical expertise to the UAE, and encourages the introduction of new medical sub-specialties in hospitals, which will ultimately improve the level of services provided for children.” 

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, CEO and Managing Director of UEMedical, the parent organization of Danat Al Emarat Hospital said, “UEMedical is keen to hold medical conferences annually to benefit from international expertise and develop the level of services provided; and we are indeed proud to be organizing this international pediatrics and neonatology conference annually in Abu Dhabi in partnership with SickKids.”

“The conference hosts four international speakers representing the four new pediatric subspecialties at Danat Al Emarat Hospital which are to be launched in few weeks, Mr. Al Shorafa added. “Such international meetings are supported by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, aiming to spread the knowledge on new technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of different cases and to benefit from the international expertise in the field of pediatrics and neonatology.” 

Mr. Mariano Gonzalez, CEO of Danat Al Emarat Hospital said, “Plans are ongoing to introduce the 4 new pediatric specialties during the first quarter of this year, in collaboration with SickKids Hospital in Canada. These pediatric subspecialties include Neurology, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology and Orthopedics, which will be staffed by SickKids trained physicians enhancing the levels of medical services provided to children.”

Mr. Jeff Mainland, Executive Vice President of SickKids Hospital in Canada said, “We are proud to partner with Danat Al Emarat Hospital in bringing this unique scientific conference to the region, which indirectly helps improve children’s quality of life, through the integration of care, scientific research and continuous education for healthcare providers in UAE and the region. The speakers from SickKids spoke today about the latest technologies and scientific research in their specialties, aiming to spread their expertise in the region.”

Dr. Iviano Ossuetta, Chairperson of the Conference, Head of Neonatology and Neonatology Consultant at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children said, “The lectures today included 11 talks presented by renowned physicians from SickKids Hospital in Canada, Danat Al Emarat Hospital, and key institutions such as UAE University, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi and Corniche Hospital Abu Dhabi.” 

“Sessions during the first day focused on sleep breathing disorders, epilepsy in children, transport medicine for newborns and children, the latest developments in neurological disorders like spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and autism from a neurodevelopment perspective, the role of speech and language pathologists in NICU, echocardiography and cardiac birth defects screening in neonates, urea cycle disorders in children, alongside 2 workshops on lung imaging in neonates, and echocardiography for newborns,”  Dr. Ossuetta concluded.