Strategic summit during Arab Health 2005 witnesses lively discussions between renowned healthcare experts

Dubai, February 13, 2005: 'Leaders in Healthcare', a first of its kind strategic healthcare summit, held alongside Arab Health 2005, reinforced the need for innovation as the key to provide the region's population with quality healthcare. The panel of experts touched upon the need to view clinicians as leaders in healthcare, meeting the global challenges in healthcare and the importance of global, affiliations and associations.

Representatives from some of the world's leading medical institutions spoke at the summit which aimed to share the latest in healthcare management and thinking with a distinguished audience of ministers, CEOs and medical professionals.

Speakers at the summit included Dr. Delos M Cosgrove, CEO, Cleveland Clinic, Steven J Thompson, CEO, Johns Hopkins International, Sir Jonathan Michael, Chief Executive, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, Jay B Pieper, Vice President, Partners Healthcare System, Dr. Andrew E Barrer, Executive Director, Harvard Medical International and Dr. Jorg F Debatin, Medical Director and CEO, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.

According to Dr. Delos M Cosgrove, "The importance of innovation in medical services delivery cannot be overlooked if we are to reach out to the exploding regional population. There are a good many global examples of service delivery innovation that can be utilised in the region."

According to Sir Jonathan Michael, "There are many challenges in the region in terms of technology adoption. The population is growing so rapidly that it is difficult to keep apace with technology adoption. Novel solutions need to be implemented that may be low tech but just as effective."

Commenting on the summit, John Hassett, Exhibition Director, Arab Health 2005, said: "The dialogue between ministers and senior regional health officials present amongst the audience and the specialist panel was unrivaled as a platform for discussion of healthcare issues in the Middle East. We intend to hold this dialogue every year so that new knowledge is shared between global and regional healthcare practitioners."

Combating the twin threats of obesity and diabetes through awareness campaigns, development of advanced facilities and examining social models for access to healthcare were discussed by the panel. They also discussed the challenges of building a global healthcare brand from within the region that achieves quality through integration.

"Leaders in Healthcare" was sponsored by Siemens Medical Systems, one of the world's leading healthcare companies.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2005, Arab Health which runs from February 12-15 will feature 2,000 exhibitors from 50 countries and is the region's annual meeting place for over 25,000 trade visitors. Arab Health 2005 will occupy all 10 halls of the Dubai International Exhibition Center, and host 13 highly-topical conferences and seminars.

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Note to Editors:
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 visit www.arabhealthonline.com or please contact:
John Hassett
Exhibitions Director, Health Division
IIR Middle East 
Tel.: +971 4 3365161
Fax: +971 4 3364006

© Press Release 2005