Report Estimates Diabetic Foot Ulcers Affect 15 Percent Of Patients
Dubai - Arab Health 2005 played host to the 1st Middle East Wounds Congress which witnessed participation from over 130 delegates over the two day period. Wound healing and tissue viability were the main focus for the congress, which was tailored for healthcare professionals with an active interest in wound management. The first congress featured presentations from over ten regional and international experts and shared best practice of key advancements in wound care treatment.
The congress aimed at surgeons, wound care managers, nurses, podiatrists and diabetologists, shed light on key topics such as wound classifications, management of diabetic foot ulcers in the UAE and the role of VAC therapy for the treatment of complex wounds in the UAE. The highlight for the congress was a presentation on "Diabetic Foot 2005- Research Update", by Andrew J.M.Boulton, as 2005 was dedicated by the International Diabetes Federation as the year of the diabetic foot.
The congress featured presentations from internationally renowned speakers such as Dr.Mark Hill, Plastic Surgery Consultant at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center-Abu Dhabi, Dr.Stephan Landis, Head-Division of Internal Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center, Andrew J.M.Boulton, Professor of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Dr. Stephen Morbach, Senior Physician-Soest-Germany, Dr. Khalid Edrees, Podiatric Surgeon, King Faisal Specialist Hospital-KSA and Dr. Patricia Abu Rumman, Head of Podiatric services, Hamad Medical Corporation-Doha.
Dr Stephen Landis, Head, Division of Internal Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center-Abu Dhabi said, "This congress aims to educate and upgrade the skills in order to best serve patients and it is one of the first opportunities for people interested in wound care in the region to meet and have productive discussions. We recognise that the problem of wounds in a large diabetic population has been a neglected area and this meeting serves us with the opportunity to move forward and recognise what needs to be achieved to make wound care better in the region."
Diabetic foot ulcers pose a great burden on both the patient and the healthcare system particularly in the UAE, where nearly 25 percent of the local population suffers from diabetes. The combination of nerve damage and insufficient blood supply in the legs and feet of people with diabetes often leads to painful ulcers, infection and gangrene which can ultimately result in amputation and even death.
The congress highlighted a multi-factorial approach necessary in diagnosing and treating these patients. Insufficient interaction between the different levels of care, as well as inconsistent adherence to standards of treatment, were highlighted as key issues which result in such high numbers of poorly managed patients with diabetic foot lesions.
John Hassett, Exhibitions Director- Healthcare Division, IIR Middle East said, "The congress programme has been tailored to meet the needs of professionals interested in wound care with an emphasis on providing relevant information useful in clinical practice. It aims to bring together wound management practitioners from across the globe while also keeping abreast of latest developments within the region."
The congress was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Middle East and KCI in association with Dubai Healthcare City, the UAE Ministry of Health and the Department of Health and Medical Services in the UAE.
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About Arab Health 2005
Arab Health 2005 will be held in Dubai from February 12-15, 2005 and will occupy all 10 halls, including the Sheikh Rashid Hall, of the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. Arab Health is organised by IIR Middle East with official support from the UAE Ministry of Health and the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services.
Arab Health 2005 is expected to be much larger than any healthcare event in the region with over 2,000 companies from over 50 countries having already registered for the event and major country groups having sold out their space allocation. The Middle East's healthcare expenditure for 2004 was valued at around US $74 billion.
Physicians from across the region who attend the Arab Health Conference sessions will earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits as the sessions are recognized by the American Academy of Continuing Medical Education (AACME). IIR ME has passed a series of rigorous and internationally recognized standards for the provision of continuing medical education and quality health care, set by the AACME, and has subsequently been awarded status as an "Accredited Organization". Over 17,000 worldwide health care organisations are accredited by the AACME
The annual Arab Health Exhibition and Congress attracts thousands of decision makers, including healthcare executives from public and private sectors, facility planners and managers, architects, designers, directors of non-clinical services and contractors, affording them a rare opportunity to join over 350 hospital design and interiors companies under one roof.
For further information please contact:
John Hassett
Exhibitions Director, Health Division
IIR Middle East
Tel.: +971 4 3365161
Fax: +971 4 3364006
© Press Release 2005
