Dubai hosts the third international conference of the Emirates Rare Diseases Society tomorrow

Dubai, 7th  February-2025

Dubai will host the Third International Conference of the Emirates Rare Disease Society from 8-9 February at the Intercontinental Festival City Hotel, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, , the Dubai Health Authority, and a number of universities and institutions inside and outside the country, in the presence of 300 doctors and specialists from around the world with the aim of raising awareness, exchanging experiences and exploring opportunities for cooperation to provide better care for individuals. People with rare diseases. Confirmation of Collaborating Institutions

Dr. Eman Taryam Al Shamsi, Consultant and Acting Head of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Al Jalila Hospital in Dubai, Chairperson of the Conference and Member of the Medical Committee of The UAE Rare Disease Society, said that the conference, organized by Meeting Minds, will be held with the participation of more than 60 doctors and specialists in firearm diseases and includes 7 specialized and interactive workshops within 13 sessions that discuss the latest rare diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and will give participants 22.75 Continuing Medical Education credit hours from DHA.

She indicated that the conference includes many different axes to ensure the quality of life of heroes and their families, including the prevention program “premarital examinations”

, government support programs for people of determination, advocacy program, the journey of hope “living with rare disease”, and the session of dealing with chronic diseases in adolescence

The President of the Conference stressed that the conference is a unique opportunity to exchange information and knowledge, learn about the latest studies, advanced technology and best practices to develop diagnostic mechanisms and practices and modern treatment methods, support and promote scientific research in the fields of rare diseases, improve the quality of life of the injured, and exchange experiences between various infected people and families from inside and outside the country.

The President of the Conference indicated that rare diseases are those that affect a small number of individuals in society, and are characterized by their complexity and difficulty in diagnosing and treating, and despite their rarity, they pose a great challenge to individuals affected by them and to the medical community in general, and rare diseases can vary greatly with regard to their causes, symptoms and effects on the body, there are some rare diseases that are genetic and transmitted from one generation to another, and some due to genetic mutation or other rare diseases often of unknown cause. They infect the person without warning and vary in rarity depending on the geographical location.

She pointed out that the conference on its last day will include a rich program that focuses on the injured and their families and brings them together with specialists directly to discuss the daily challenges and difficulties they face, and provide the best appropriate solutions, noting that people who suffer from rare diseases usually suffer from psychological and social challenges due to their sense of isolation and marginalization as a result of lack of understanding and awareness of their cases. She added that the main objective of the association is to provide moral and psychological support to patients and their families, help them, deliver their voices to decision-makers, communicate with similar international associations and institutions, increase the exchange of scientific knowledge about rare diseases, focus on awareness and education programs to reduce their spread, introduce how to prevent and treat them, and contribute to the development of social solidarity and appropriate public health policies, noting that the Emirates Rare Diseases Association provides its services to all regions of the country and to all citizens, residents and those affected by these diseases. Diseases.

For her part, Dr. Nafisa Tawfiq, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Rare Diseases Society and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Conference, said that the Society aims to hold this type of conference annually coinciding with the World Rare Diseases Day, which falls on February 28 of each year, which proves the role of the UAE in supporting the rare disease community by covering this annual event, and as usual, the Society organizes the conference and includes scientific and family activities, explaining that the focus of the family day will be on discussing the issues and challenges that Facing rare heroes and their families The “Family Day” programs in the second session are designed according to family requirements and discuss through a dialogue session that brings together representatives from various government agencies in the country that support special groups, including people of determination and people with special needs, support services and explain their standards, conditions and eligible groups so that the injured can identify and benefit from them.

The family program features a session called “The Journey with Hope,” where participants showcase their triumphs in navigating the difficulties associated with living with a rare disease.

13 local and international companies are participating in the exhibition displaying their latest products of modern medicines, which are keen to be offered during the conference days at the Dubai Conference, as it is considered one of the most important conferences held in the UAE annually