Health ministers and nearly 150 senior delegates from the GCC and other countries will gather in Dubai on October 14 for a conference to debate the development of the health sector, the role of the private sector and other related issues.

The Saadiyat-based DNA Centre for Wellness and Integrative Medicine will also attend the conference in Madinat Jumeirah.

Dr Nasim Ashraf, DNA’s chief executive officer, will speak on the conference to debate the ‘Energy Clinic’ which is using ancient Japanese therapies and bang-up-to-date medicine to boost energy levels, eliminate pain and balance body and mind.

The latest treatment for depression will be high on the agenda. “Latest research shows up to 60 per cent of chronic depressives can be put in remission with a holistic, integrated approach,” noted Dr Ashraf.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) is sponsoring the event, which will cover the impact of mandatory health insurance on the sector, how can the private sector be encouraged to take a greater role, how can essential health services meet the increasing demand and which technologies will help transform the delivery of care.

Other issues to be covered at the conference include progress made in developing home grown medical workforces, the extent of unification of imported drugs on the market and how is the evolution of health care provision affecting patients, employers, care providers and insurers.

“With the health industry rapidly changing in the region, we will look at how the sector is evolving and the reform process behind this evolution,” said Vivek Muthu, healthcare director at the London-based EIU. – TradeArabia News Service