Global healthcare leaders will discuss current challenges such as increasing and aging populations and disease management at the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress which opened in Dubai on Monday.

The Middle East’s largest healthcare event was inaugurated by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry.

Featuring over 3,000 exhibitors from 70 countries, it is being attended by over 70,000 healthcare professionals as they aim to tackle the growing public health issues across the GCC.

"At this year’s event we are witnessing debates around the current challenges in the GCC’s healthcare industry such as increasing and aging populations, increased burden of diseases including diabetes and outdated healthcare systems," said Simon Page, managing director – Life Sciences, Informa Exhibitions, organisers of Arab Health.

"As the region’s largest healthcare event, we are working to assist industry experts by providing a platform to facilitate partnerships and future solutions," stated Page, who accompanied Sheikh Hamdan and other international ministerial delegations on the tour of the exhibition during the official launch.

The event, which will run until January 26, is in its 37th year and is the largest event across the region.

The UK Pavilion launched today to highlight its healthcare excellence and life sciences, with 213 companies exhibiting, the largest delegation to attend Arab Health.

Lord Darzi of Denham, a world leading robotic surgeon and an advocate of the adoption of new healthcare innovation said: “The Middle East has long been a key trading partner for the UK, not only because it is one of the largest markets for medical equipment and healthcare products, but also because no other region in the world faces such rapid growth in demand for the latest technologies.”

In addition to the exhibition, the Arab Health Congress continues to build on its conference portfolio offering a scientific and educational platform that comprises the world’s largest CME (Continuing Medical Education) accredited multi-track series of conferences.

This year the congress showcases new seminars including Hematology track at Medlab, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Education, m+Health and Wound Care conferences.

The two largest conferences at Arab Health started today, Imaging & Diagnostics and Medlab, which together have attracted over 3,000 delegates from across the region.

Key speakers from the Middle East at the m+Health Conference include Dr Ayesha Abdullah, managing director, Dubai Health Care city (DHCC); Sulaiman H Sulaiman, CIO, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, UAE; and Kenneth Seymens, CIO, King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital, Saudi.

"Due to the importance of mobile health in the region, experts from the Middle East and internationally are set to gather tomorrow at the leading m+Health Conference, as part of the Arab Health Congress," said Lisa Stephens, executive director, Informa Exhibitions.

"In recognition of the trend towards greater engagement through social media, we have specifically developed a social media arena to allow delegates to communicate and engage in the wider medical community," he added.-TradeArabia News Service