1st International Middle East Fetal-Neonatal Cardiovascular Disease Conference kicks off in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The first International Middle East Fetal-Neonatal Cardiovascular Disease Conference kicked off today at the Rosewood Hotel, in Abu Dhabi, with the participation of a number of leading local and international experts who came together to discuss the latest standards and innovations related to fetal and neonatal cardiovascular care.
The conference, held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, is organised by Corniche Hospital and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), part of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), in partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Schneider Children’s Medical Centre of Israel, and in collaboration with its strategic partner the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH).
Elaborating further, Saeed Jaber Al Kuwaiti, Group CEO at SEHA, said, “Prenatal and neonatal cardiovascular care is a unique field and forms the more collaborative aspect of medicine, spanning several medical specialties. This multi-specialty nature of the field makes this conference a rich amalgamation of experts and topics of interest. There has recently been a rise in the paediatric population in the Middle East, resulting in an increased focus on prenatal, infant, and paediatric healthcare and a simultaneous spike in government investments in the field.
The two-day event covers a wide spectrum of topics such as, the genetics of heart disease; fetal and newborn imaging; review of specific fetal cardiovascular conditions; obstetrical and maternal care; innovative fetal therapies; care of the newborn with heart disease including catheter and surgical interventions; and the social aspects and long-term outcomes of congenital heart disease in the Middle East, among others.
“This conference will support collaboration among experts from the United States, Israel and the Arab world who are committed to providing the best paediatric healthcare worldwide,” said Ruth Frey, Vice President of Global Strategy and Business Development at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “We are honoured to play a role in this inaugural event and expect that the collaborative approach will lead to improved outcomes for children.”
Dr. Efrat Bron-Harlev, CEO of Schneider Children’s Medical Centre of Israel, said, “The advent of the Abraham Accords between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and other Arab neighbours, has created new opportunities for collaboration and exchange in the healthcare field. The result is a mutual sharing of knowledge, improved patient outcomes, and sustainable partnerships to provide even better care. This collaboration with SEHA and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is a testament to the greatness that can be borne out of increased international collaboration in the healthcare industry.”
