MEDICLINIC MIDDLE EAST holds 4th annual research conference

Mediclinic Middle East, one of the UAE’s leading private hospital groups, held its fourth annual research conference on 27 and 28 May.  

The two-day hybrid event, which welcomed delegates both in person and virtually, showcased the clinical research undertaken at Mediclinic Middle East, and this year for the first time also welcomed external participation with 20 selected podium speakers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ireland and Switzerland. With over 500 delegates from 10 different countries, the conference featured podium and poster presentations with a keynote speech from Dr Alexandre Malouvier, Director of Global Data Strategy, Commercial & Strategic Healthcare & Technology Partnership at PRA Health Sciences, Paris, France, as well as a panel discussion on present and future research in the UAE.

David Hadley, CEO of Mediclinic Middle East, said, “Our annual research conference has really gone from strength to strength. Although in its fourth year, this was also a year of many firsts:  its first time as a two-day event, the first time we welcomed external podium speakers, its first time as a hybrid model and the first time that more than 500 delegates from across the globe attended.  This just goes to demonstrate the value that people place on research within healthcare, which now, more than ever, is showing its true worth as we seek to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.  

In her keynote speech during the conference, Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei Executive Director Research & Innovation, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Here in Abu Dhabi, we have always believed that our ability to provide exceptional healthcare services is limitless, inspired by our wise leadership, who have proven to us that nothing is impossible and that we must continuously strive for excellence.”

“We have also created a central approval committee that is able to approve complex clinical trials within a maximum timeframe of four weeks.” Al Mannaei added. 

The conference culminated in the presentation of the Dr Edwin Hertzog Award, in the name of the founding Chair of Mediclinic International, for the best researcher of the year. The winner was Dr. Muzibunnisa Begam Abdul Hathi, Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fetal Medicine at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital.   

The winner of the poster presentations was Mariam Elsaban a student at MBRU. The first runner up was Dr. Rimpi Datta, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital and the second runner up was Dr. Mazhar Dalvi, Specialist Endocrinologist at Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital.