“Vision-X Dubai has consistently proven itself to be the ideal launch pad for products, services and [...]]]>

Vision-X Dubai will be held from 18 – 20 May 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center (DICEC), the show is a well-established and internationally recognized strategic platform for business opportunity in the Middle East and neighboring regions.

“Vision-X Dubai has consistently proven itself to be the ideal launch pad for products, services and technologies within the optical and opthalmic industry,” said Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President of Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), organizer of Vision-X Dubai.

“Vision-X Dubai enables companies to reach their key audiences, develop future business opportunities and gain access to the latest information and developments at the conference – the value offered to the industry is immeasurable,” added Loh.

Presenting a number of product launches and debuts from regional and international companies participating at this year’s exhibition, as well as announcing first time participation from Iran and Syria, Vision-X Dubai will offer ophthalimic and optical industry professionals unrivaled access to the latest trends and best practices in both the medical and fashion sectors through its two sub-divisions: Vision-Lifestyle and Vision-Opticare.

Regional firsts and debuts include Barakat Optical’s exclusive launch of ‘WECO Optical Instruments’ from Germany, Future Optics launch of the Stepper 18-Carat Solid Gold and Jewellery Collection, Dermalook’s range of cosmetic products and Egma Lens’ excusive brand launches including Alfred Dunhill, Mercedes Bens and Baldessarini. Many of these stylish new lines will feature alongside new collections and the latest accessories within a stunning display at the entrance to the show.

“The decision to launch the Stepper 18-Carat Solid Gold and Jewellery Collection at Vision-X Dubai was unrivaled. The show is the meeting point for industry professionals in what is one of the most exciting markets in which to conduct business anywhere in the world,” said Hrushabh Tolia, Company Director, Future Optics.

Dermalook’s range of cosmetic products will also be revealed for the first time in the Middle East by Egma Lens’ new division – the eyecare department. Consisting of only natural ingredients, the collection of non-irritant eye make-up is designed for contact lens users, anybody with sensitive eyes, or low tolerance to the chemicals found in traditional cosmetic products.

“There was no doubt that we would chose Vision-X Dubai as the venue to launch the Dermalook range. It is the region’s most important show for eyecare professionals across all sectors of the industry. We have always been very happy with the response we have received when exhibiting in the past,” said Poya Eghterafi, owner of Egma Lens.

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At the festival AHS showcased, Mobile Clinic Solutions (MCS) services and [...]]]>

Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS) participated at Zayed Higher Organization Special Olympics event using Mobile Clinic Solutions to support the event. The Special Olympics program, conducted under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Rawdah Bint Zayed Al Nahyan runs from May 13th 2010 to May 15th, 2010.

At the festival AHS showcased, Mobile Clinic Solutions (MCS) services and facilities, even providing medical check-ups for interested visitors. Mobile Clinic Solutions (MCS) is the first-of-its-kind mobile healthcare clinic in the Middle East, equipped to deliver comprehensive medical consultation, examination, screening, vaccination, general dental care and health advice to patients in remote areas, at schools or at events such as the Special Olympics.

Dr. John Evangelista, Director of Ambulatory Healthcare Services, says, AHS participation in this festival promotes our slogan Healthy family. Healthy community and special needs people are an integral part of the community.
Moreover, this festival demonstrates the considerable abilities of people with disabilities and educates people about their strengths, thereby helping integrate them with non-disabled people in society. I would like to thank the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care for giving us the opportunity to provide our unique health care services provided by the Mobile Clinic Solutions to the festivals visitors.”

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Dr Rolf Ulrich Hartung, Associate [...]]]>

The Healthcare Technology Applications conference to be held from 2 – 3 of June 2010, during the Hospital Build Middle East Exhibition & Congress, will discuss the latest information on how to use technologies to lower healthcare delivery costs, improve efficiencies in hospitals, reduce medical errors and streamline the patient’s experience.

Dr Rolf Ulrich Hartung, Associate Professor of Surgery at the Dubai Medical College, will explain how integrated technology applications such as ‘Patchless Controlled Technology (PCT)’ will enhance surgery management in the operating room (OR).

“PCT is a system that controls all technological equipment in the OR without touching it,” he explains. “The first of this kind of technology was the voice controlled technology such as the AEsop system and later on, the Hermes. The new PCT technology does not rely on voice but on movements of the hands and/or face and eyes. This seems to be much more reliable than the voice.”

Dr Hartung believes this technology can improve surgery in many ways. As well as improving control of all equipment necessary for surgery such as light source, electrocautery, air insufflators, irrigation pumps etc, it also reduces the workload of the nurses. He says it also gives the opportunity for perfect communication and documentation and the surgeon can review previous steps taken during the procedure and can even involve mentors without the need to leave the operation.

While the PTC technology currently only exists in prototype-form in Middle East, it will be made available soon. “In the Middle East the acceptance of new technology is extremely good. Dubai is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and acceptance and support of changes and rapid development are key characteristics of the region,” says Dr Hartung.

“Technology is advancing very fast and the development of new technology has made minimally invasive surgery possible. Surgeons strive to decrease the trauma of any operation to the minimum and therefore new technology is needed. It is also our aim to improve the safety and quality of care and this is specifically important for surgical procedures. Everybody interested in development of hospitals, health care, technology, administration of modern health care systems and of course surgeons should attend the Healthcare Technology Application conference at Hospital Build 2010, as they have to be part of this development. Without acceptance from the end-user, new technology cannot be implemented.”

The Hospital Build Middle East Exhibition & Congress, an event organised by IIR Middle East Life Sciences Division, will run from 1 – 3 June 2010, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will bring investors, commissioners, backers and managers of major healthcare building projects together with planning, design, building, operations, management and refurbishment suppliers.

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The circular noted that Zyrtec, which was on the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) advisory, met the local product specifications and would not be taken off the [...]]]>

The Ministry of Health has called for the recall of liquid versions of Tylenol for children, two days after the US pulled 40 over-the-counter drugs off the shelves.

The circular noted that Zyrtec, which was on the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) advisory, met the local product specifications and would not be taken off the shelves.

A Johnson and Johnson spokesman said two products were being pulled off shelves in the UAE: Tylenol Suspension Cherry Flavour, 4oz and Concentrated Infant Tylenol Drops, Cherry Flavour, 0.5oz.

“Johnson and Johnson Middle East and McNeil Consumer Healthcare have initiated this voluntary recall because some of these products may not meet required quality standards,” the spokesman said.

He said it was a precautionary measure and parents and caregivers who had concerns should not administer these products to their children.

“Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified,” he said.

“Others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements and others may contain tiny particles,” the spokesman said in a statement.

Ministry of Health Medical Practices and Licenses executive director Dr Ameen Al Amiri said in a statement that the “decision was issued to maintain public health safety”.

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These uncontrolled glucose levels cause diseases in the limbs that often end with total amputation, they explained.

Worldwide, 300 million people are currently living with diabetes, and this figure is expected to [...]]]>

During the 2nd Middle East Diabetes Summit, the experts said that diabetics cannot regulate their blood sugar levels, which leads to organ and limb damage.

These uncontrolled glucose levels cause diseases in the limbs that often end with total amputation, they explained.

Worldwide, 300 million people are currently living with diabetes, and this figure is expected to increase unless there is a global prevention plan, Andrew Bolton, vice president of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, told reporters yesterday.

“Diabetes is the global epidemic of the 21st century, and this is the first time that a noncommunicable disease is being classified as a major epidemic by the World Health Organization,” he said.

He stressed the need for governments, the media and individuals around the world to adopt a preventative approach that aims at changing lifestyles before diabetes develops.

He noted that diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disorders and diseases of the nervous system.

Around three million Jordanians are expected to be affected by diabetes in 2050 unless serious steps are taken, National Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics Director General Kamel Ajlouni said in a previous statement.

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The conference is being [...]]]>

Al Rahba Hospital will host the first National Trauma Conference in UAE this weekend from April 30th May 1st. The event brings together more than 400 medical practitioners and members of the regulatory community to discuss trauma medicine, share information on the issue, develop assessment skills and improve management of trauma cases.

The conference is being led by Nellie Boma, M.D., M.P.H, and Chief Medical Officer of Al Rahba Hospital. About 20 trauma specialists from Al Rahba, other SEHA HealthSystem facilities and experts from around the region are presenting some 24 different topics across a variety of subjects from prevention to rehabilitation of trauma injuries.

Al Rahba Hospital established an affiliation with the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma in October 2009. As part of this affiliation, the hospital participated in the first of its kind Trauma Centre Consultation Survey in the Middle East on behalf of American College. This consultative review to establish a Level II, Type I Trauma Center at Al Rahba was the first of its kind in the UAE and only the second such review outside of the United States.

According to Dr. Boma, Al Rahba Hospital has built a multidisciplinary Trauma Committee to provide patients with a prioritized plan of care. This is a comprehensive set of services as medical staff work in close coordination to implement appropriate treatments based on the individuals condition on arrival in the Emergency Room.

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In general, the majority [...]]]>

Residents of the UAE conducted a worldwide survey in feeling healthy, according to global market research company Synovate. The survey covered almost 12,000 people from across 15 countries to understand attitudes towards healthy living, over the counter medications, the effectiveness of store label medications versus branded ones, and staying healthy when traveling.

In general, the majority of respondents globally (60%) feel in good health, with 13% going as far as to say that they are in excellent health. Respondents from the UAE led the pack, with 84% considering themselves in good (49%) or excellent (35%) health, closely followed by Indonesia (82%).

“This means many people are less aware of what is healthy and unhealthy, so their standards may not be up to the same level as other countries. However, the UAE is considered to have excellent healthcare – the majority of locals and expats have private medical coverage and medical facilities are of the highest quality. This could contribute to people feeling they’re in excellent or good health,” said Per-Henrik Karlsson, Dubai-based Business Development Director for Synovate in Central/Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

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Net operating profits for the first quarter of the year reached AED 760 million (US$ [...]]]>

Emaar Properties PJSC announced first quarter 2010 revenue of AED 2,886 million (US$ 786 million), underpinned by the robust performance of the company’s hospitality and shopping mall subsidiaries during a period when the company opened the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.

Net operating profits for the first quarter of the year reached AED 760 million (US$ 207 million), 152 per cent higher than the first-quarter 2009 net operating profit of AED 302 million (US$ 82 million).

The highlight of the first quarter was the opening of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 828 metres (2,716.5 ft).Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said the first quarter results of the company highlight the success of its strategy to focus on project delivery and business segmentation.

Mr Alabbar said that Emaar’s growth strategy for 2010 is to focus on the larger Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region, which is home to more than 30 per cent of the world’s population, of which some 800 million people are below the age of 25.

Emaar made rapid progress in its various projects in different stages of completion during the first quarter of 2010, especially the residential and commercial developments in Downtown Dubai.

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The conference will host prominent speakers from Johns Hopkins Medicine USA, Europe, and the Middle East, along with a number of specialists from national hospitals.

The conference’s [...]]]>

Tawam Hospital, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine, will be hosting the 2010 Annual International Pediatric Conference from April 22nd to 24th, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Al Ain.

The conference will host prominent speakers from Johns Hopkins Medicine USA, Europe, and the Middle East, along with a number of specialists from national hospitals.

The conference’s topics will cover many important general and sub-specialty pediatric issues, such as advances in management of general pediatrics, different sub-specialties including neonatal care and hematology oncology and many more.

Further, nine separate workshops on the practical management of common pediatric sub-specialty scenarios will be provided during the conference days. Each workshop will feature the latest practical and hands-on management of each sub-specialty disease.

“Due to large number of confirmations, almost double the amount we received last year, and the overwhelming positive feedback we have received, we decided to increase the number of workshops from four to nine this year. Tawam Hospital is very proud to be hosting one of the largest and most important events in the field of pediatrics in this region.” said Gregory F. Schaffer the CEO Tawam Hospital.

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