Dubai has won the bid to host the World Congress of Neurology (WCN) in 2019, adding to the list of several international congresses the city has hosted in the field of healthcare.

 

The WNC is organised by the World Federation of Neurology, which is an association of national neurological societies representing 119 neurological societies in all regions of the world, said a statement.

 

The announcement came during the concluding day of the 22nd World Congress of Neurology which took place in Chile, in November, this year. 

 

A delegation from Dubai Health Authority (DHA) took part in the congress and presented Dubai has a unique destination to host this congress.

 

Humaid Al Qatami, chairman of the board and director-general of the DHA, said: “Dubai has hosted several international conferences across all fields and is known for its hospitality, excellent infrastructure and world-class facilities. 

 

"We look forward to hosting this conference in 2019 and we strongly believe that conferences are a platform that bring together experts from the region and abroad to discuss latest advances in the field. Exchange-of-latest information and know-how is vital for growth and development, particularly in the medical field, which is ever-evolving.”  

 

Dr Suhail Al Rukn, head of stroke unit at Rashid Hospital and president of Emirates Neurological Society, said: “This conference will help foster collaboration and cooperation with neurologists and neurological societies in the region and abroad. 

 

"Presently, in the region, there are 4000 to 5000 neurologists and this conference presents an opportunity to discuss the latest advances and treatment methods in the field.”

 

Neurological disorders are diseases of the brain, spine and the nerves that connect them. There are more than 600 diseases of the nervous system, such as brain tumours, epilepsy, parkinson's disease and stroke as well as less familiar ones such as frontotemporal dementia, said Dr Al Rukn.

 

Presently, seven per cent of the global healthcare spending is on neurological diseases and by 2020 this will increase to 10 per cent, he said.

 

“It’s important to raise awareness as well as focus on research and development in the field. With advances in neurology, today, we have more than 25 anti-epilepsy medicines and we can even conduct brain surgeries to rectify the condition. Similarly, early and enhanced stroke management means a much lower mortality rate and less complications. Conferences, provide a platform to discuss latest advancements and their implementation methods, which, in turn, directly leads to better patient outcomes,” he added.

 

The next World Congress of Neurology will take place in Kyoto in Japan in 2017. - TradeArabia News Service