The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is in the process of establishing a state-of-the-art cardiology centre, Humaid Al Qutami, director general of the DHA, has revealed.

 

Giving his opening speech of the World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health 2018,  Al Qutami said: “DHA strives to always be among the leading health organisations that are contributing to the developmental drive witnessed in the medical field. Dubai’s status, positive role and the city’s capabilities have contributed to transforming it into one of the world’s fastest growing cities. Therefore, the DHA is establishing an International Cardiology and Research Centre that aims to become a preferred destination for those looking for quality cardiology treatment.”

 

The World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health 2018 kicked off on Wednesday at the Dubai World Trade Centre under the patronage and attendance of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

 

The congress, which is taking place till December 8, is a global interactive event that aims to promote cardiovascular health by uniting cardiovascular disease specialists with other disciplines to network, share knowledge and build innovative solutions for patients and populations.

 

Dubai won the bid to host the event after competing with countries and cities that include Cape Town, Singapore and Korea.

 

The Cardiac Centre will host a 110-120-bed facility to treat cardiac emergencies, along with inpatient and outpatient services. The centre will be located in the Rashid Medical Complex with easy access to and from the Rashid Medical Complex Emergency and Trauma Centre.

 

The centre will offer a one-stop-shop approach, with an integrated care continuum supported by evidence-based international best practices, with a focus on screening and early detection. It will also emphasise physician access to clinical affiliation, research and technology innovation.

 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death across the world. The cardiology department is the second-busiest unit in Rashid Hospital after the Emergency and Trauma Centre.

 

Professor David A Wood, president of the World Heart Organisation, said: “Although mortality rates from CVD are falling worldwide the burden of disease, as measured by the number of deaths, is increasing and especially in middle and low-income countries where many of these deaths are premature. The probability of dying after a heart attack is four to five times higher in many middle and low-income countries compared to high-income countries where access to evidence-based life-saving treatments is severely limited. 

 

"Our priorities as WHF are secondary prevention for those who are suffering from CVD, primary prevention for those at high risk of developing CVD because of hypertension or other risk factors such as diabetes, and primordial prevention in populations specifically focused on tobacco.”

 

Around 4,000 participants representing international organisations and bodies from around the world (such as the World Health Organisation, the European Society of Cardiology, American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, African Heart Network, and Saudi Heart Association) are expected to attend the congress over the course of four days.

 

The congress's agenda includes more than 200 scientific sessions on cardiovascular disease and related diseases such as high cholesterol. Six hundred specialists are expected to take part in the conference where 1,000 scientific papers about the latest achievements and challenges in the field will be shared.

 

The World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health 2018 will also provide an interactive programme designed to respond to the needs of professionals.

 

Al Qutami inaugurated the congress’s accompanying exhibition following the opening ceremony where 50 exhibitors showcased the latest innovation in cardiology and cardiovascular health.

 

Dr Fahad Baslaib, consultant cardiology and CEO of Rashid Hospital, said the World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health  is considered the biggest congress specialising in cardiology and cardiovascular health due to the international calibre of specialist adding that that the conference provides an ideal platform for decision-makers in the health field  to discuss how to achieve the objective set by the World Health Organisation to reduce the global rate of heart attacks by 2025. - TradeArabia News Service