Ministry of Health says changes are needed to overcome challenges to healthcare provision in the Middle East

Middle East Innovations Summit, was officially opened this morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by an opening address by Dr. Salem Al Darmaki, Acting Director General, Ministry of Health - United Arab Emirates - at the Yas Island Rotana Hotel in Abu Dhabi.The summit, hosted by business information group naseba and endorsed by the Ministry of Health, is the region's most strategic and up-to-date summit, focusing on the latest developments in healthcare solutions, scientific research, medical technology and healthcare services.In his opening address, Dr. Salem Al Darmaki introduced the summit's healthcare aims, in line with the continuous support and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, ruler of Dubai on health and healthcare, which is considered to be one of their priorities.The Ministry of Health went on to praise InnovHealth as the ideal platform for healthcare decision makers to source solutions and act immediately in order to offset the growing trends of costly healthcare, combined with a severe shortage of talented healthcare professionals, as highlighted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Dr. Al Darmaki emphasized on the concept of health described by WHO, mentioning that the individual and the community are the major elements of health and that time has come to face these challenges. Healthcare leaders need to discover effective and innovative ways to attract and retain the best and brightest individuals in the healthcare sector to assure quality of services and care.Dr. Al Darmaki said "This strategic gathering will lead to close interaction between healthcare decision makers, planners and professional providers to plan new models and approaches for care delivery and financial systems, where the decision makers need to face and solve major challenges. The most leading is to provide health services based on customers' focused care. Other changes are needed to overcome serious challenges to healthcare provision worldwide and particularly in the Middle East region."InnovHealth, which is now in its fifth successful edition, will address these and other challenges under a range of topics including: Using cutting-edge technology to address breast cancer in the Middle East; healthcare insurance in the UAE and the importance of innovative adaptations for healthcare insurance policies; attracting foreign investments for regional expansion and healthcare innovations; and tackling the challenging question of quality versus costs.These critical topics are being addressed through keynote presentations, panel discussions and lively debates to drive home the fundamental aim of the summit: To improve healthcare in the Middle East. Dr. Al Darmaki concluded, "Enhancing healthcare will lead to improved life expectancy, quality of life, efficiency and cost effective healthcare. Healthy living and a better quality of life is the ultimate necessity for individuals and communities."(C) 2010 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)