28 Jan 2016
Princess Haya highlights developments in genomics and personalised medicine to improve health outcomes across Middle East
The Leaders in Healthcare Conference, one of the most prestigious, high-level healthcare conferences in the Middle East, opened today with a focus on the latest developments in personalised medicine and genomics. The event also coincided with the final day of Arab Health Exhibition and Congress 2016.
Held under the patronage of the wife of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), the Leaders in Healthcare Conference highlighted key developments in the areas of DNA, molecular and human genomics, as well as challenges and opportunities in personalised health to improve patient treatment outcomes in the Arab region.
Attendees at the conference included Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health, Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City Authority - Education, Dr. Azad Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, and other VIP dignitaries.
As part of her keynote speech, Princess Haya said, “Personalised medicine will move us closer to more precise and effective healthcare that is customised for the individual patient. Our greater understanding of our genetic makeup and how this drives our health, predisposes us to certain illnesses, and governs our response to treatments and drugs, will enable our healthcare professionals to provide better prevention, more accurate diagnosis and more effective and safer drugs at a price that is more affordable.”
“By the time medical students have graduated from the Mohammed Bin Rashid University, we should have ready for them the tools, and offer them the best chance to take advancements in genomics- for personalised medicine-further. We need to have the policies, infrastructure, systems, funding and research revved up for a fresh generation of clinicians to take the lead.”
In addition to speaking at Leaders in Healthcare, Princess Haya also toured the Arab Health 2016 exhibition stands, including those belonging to the UAE Ministry of Health, the Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Healthcare City, GE, Siemens and Philips, amongst others. Accompanying Princess Haya on the tour was Abdul Rahman Mohamed Al Owais and other dignitaries.
Article : WAM