25 October 2009
MUSCAT -- As part of its efforts to create a greater knowledge pool on heart medicine through affiliations with leading hospitals and medical research centres for the benefit of its patients and the cardio field of medicine in general, the Oman Heart Association (OHA) recently hosted a workshop on 'heart medicine' under the auspices of Egyptian Ambassador to the Sultanate Medhat Kamal El Kady and in the presence of renowned cardio-physician Dr Hisham El Khowli, Director-General, Dar al Fouad Hospital, Egypt, at its office in Al Khuwair.
Prior to the workshop, a press meet was held where OHA Chairman Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed al Riyami, Head of Cardiology Department, Royal Hospital, together with Dr Hisham, Deputy Chairman of OHA; Dr Kadhim Jaffer Sulaiman, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Royal Hospital; Treasurer and Board Member of OHA, Dr Abdullah bin Amer al Riyami, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Royal Hospital, and in the presence of the chief guest, the Egyptian Ambassador, addressed the members of the press corps about OHA and its efforts to improve the level of cardio treatment for its patients.
In this regard, he said, the new association with Dar al Fouad Hospital (which works in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and is approved by the Joint Commission International) is a very important step for the OHA, particularly in conjunction with additional affiliations with cardiology centres in Cairo, Egypt, and other countries. This will allow for higher levels of service in the field, especially as latest developments in cardio care progress very quickly and what was relevant a few years ago becomes obsolete, he added. It is imperative to keep up-to-date and be at par with these developments, emphasised Dr Abdullah.
He said, they are grateful to have Dr Hisham visit them on the occasion and that it is a great privilege for the Association. Dr Hisham reciprocated by noting that he was indeed honoured to be invited and hoped that they would be able to reach a good outcome from the ensuing meeting and workshop. Commenting on the establishment of OHA, Dr Abdullah said, to meet the latest challenges and developments in the field of cardiology, it became necessary to form the Association which officially came into existence two years ago.
He outlined the responsibilities of the association as being the need to identify one's expertise and to identify expertise in the area which the Association cares for and, in doing so, benefit the public at large in this area. In addition to this, it also seeks to encourage practioners in the field attain higher qualifications. In this way, he said, the association aims to raise the level of care offered to the public and to ensure that this and all equipment used in the field are up to standard. Further, standards should be maintained with those that are acceptable around the world and the association must ensure this, added Dr Abdullah.
He explained that the association is not here to compete with the government, but rather to support and supplement its efforts of patient care improvement. It requires professional input to be able to achieve this. He said this and other similar affiliations would allow for the establishment of 'centres of excellence', which are much required in order to meet real needs. Dr Hisham commented on the good relationship that exists between Oman and Egypt in the field. He said the Sultanate offers a good level of treatment and that the generation of ideas would hopefully help raise standards in the Sultanate to higher levels, as well as provide information on latest developments.
The Egyptian Ambassador hoped that the accord would help to further relations between Oman and Egypt within and outside of the governmental sphere. He said that the already exceptionally good relations between the two countries can be extended to the field of healthcare. Dr Kadhim reiterated Dr Abdullah's view on the requirement of an international grouping in the form of regionally and internationally based centres of excellence.
In comments given to the Observer, he pointed out that they are part of the Gulf Heart Association and take part regularly in regional conferences. They also have affiliations with Canadian, US and European organisations and hoped that in the future a big centre would come into being, where conferences, training and records could be held.
MUSCAT -- As part of its efforts to create a greater knowledge pool on heart medicine through affiliations with leading hospitals and medical research centres for the benefit of its patients and the cardio field of medicine in general, the Oman Heart Association (OHA) recently hosted a workshop on 'heart medicine' under the auspices of Egyptian Ambassador to the Sultanate Medhat Kamal El Kady and in the presence of renowned cardio-physician Dr Hisham El Khowli, Director-General, Dar al Fouad Hospital, Egypt, at its office in Al Khuwair.
Prior to the workshop, a press meet was held where OHA Chairman Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed al Riyami, Head of Cardiology Department, Royal Hospital, together with Dr Hisham, Deputy Chairman of OHA; Dr Kadhim Jaffer Sulaiman, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Royal Hospital; Treasurer and Board Member of OHA, Dr Abdullah bin Amer al Riyami, Senior Consultant Cardiology, Royal Hospital, and in the presence of the chief guest, the Egyptian Ambassador, addressed the members of the press corps about OHA and its efforts to improve the level of cardio treatment for its patients.
In this regard, he said, the new association with Dar al Fouad Hospital (which works in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic and is approved by the Joint Commission International) is a very important step for the OHA, particularly in conjunction with additional affiliations with cardiology centres in Cairo, Egypt, and other countries. This will allow for higher levels of service in the field, especially as latest developments in cardio care progress very quickly and what was relevant a few years ago becomes obsolete, he added. It is imperative to keep up-to-date and be at par with these developments, emphasised Dr Abdullah.
He said, they are grateful to have Dr Hisham visit them on the occasion and that it is a great privilege for the Association. Dr Hisham reciprocated by noting that he was indeed honoured to be invited and hoped that they would be able to reach a good outcome from the ensuing meeting and workshop. Commenting on the establishment of OHA, Dr Abdullah said, to meet the latest challenges and developments in the field of cardiology, it became necessary to form the Association which officially came into existence two years ago.
He outlined the responsibilities of the association as being the need to identify one's expertise and to identify expertise in the area which the Association cares for and, in doing so, benefit the public at large in this area. In addition to this, it also seeks to encourage practioners in the field attain higher qualifications. In this way, he said, the association aims to raise the level of care offered to the public and to ensure that this and all equipment used in the field are up to standard. Further, standards should be maintained with those that are acceptable around the world and the association must ensure this, added Dr Abdullah.
He explained that the association is not here to compete with the government, but rather to support and supplement its efforts of patient care improvement. It requires professional input to be able to achieve this. He said this and other similar affiliations would allow for the establishment of 'centres of excellence', which are much required in order to meet real needs. Dr Hisham commented on the good relationship that exists between Oman and Egypt in the field. He said the Sultanate offers a good level of treatment and that the generation of ideas would hopefully help raise standards in the Sultanate to higher levels, as well as provide information on latest developments.
The Egyptian Ambassador hoped that the accord would help to further relations between Oman and Egypt within and outside of the governmental sphere. He said that the already exceptionally good relations between the two countries can be extended to the field of healthcare. Dr Kadhim reiterated Dr Abdullah's view on the requirement of an international grouping in the form of regionally and internationally based centres of excellence.
In comments given to the Observer, he pointed out that they are part of the Gulf Heart Association and take part regularly in regional conferences. They also have affiliations with Canadian, US and European organisations and hoped that in the future a big centre would come into being, where conferences, training and records could be held.
By Ali Ahmed al Riyami
© Oman Daily Observer 2009
