DHCC’s Centre for Healthcare Planning and Quality to Host Integrated Medicine Conference

The conference ‘Advances in Complementary and Alternative Medicine’ will be held at Atlantis – The Palm Dubai on 23 September. It will emphasise the need to use evidence-based integrated medicine that is increasingly becoming a dominant factor in healthcare delivery today.

 

The event is sponsored by Dubai Healthcare City, a pioneer in developing CAM regulations in the region and promoting integrative healthcare services, and endorsed by Dubai Health Authority, UAE Ministry of Health, Abu Dhabi Health Authority and the Continuing Professional Development (CPQ) Accreditation Committee in CPQ. Other sponsors include Emirates Integrated Medical Center FZ-LLC, The Medical Anti-aging Clinic FZ-LLC and Beijing Tong Ren Tang Gulf FZ-LLC.

 

Dr. Ayesha Abdullah, Managing Director, DHCC, said: “The CAM conference will provide a platform to gather experts to discuss means of improving awareness levels of integrated medicine in the UAE and the region. It will also highlight the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine and its important role in conventional healthcare treatments.

 

“A market survey conducted in Dubai in 2006 has revealed that almost 50 per cent of people have tried CAM treatment, signifying an emerging need within the UAE to develop integrative medicine. As one of the leading providers of healthcare and medical education in the region, DHCC is proud to be at the forefront of this movement.”

 

The conference will host national, regional and international experts in conventional medicine, complementary and alternative medicine as well as professionals from the regulatory authorities. It is a CME programme accredited by the Dubai Health Authority, UAE Ministry of Health, Abu Dhabi Health Authority and CPQ.

 

Dr. Abdulkareem Al Olama, Executive Director, the Centre for Healthcare Planning and Quality, said: “Integrative medicine has gained increasing importance among healthcare providers and patients, and we are privileged to organise the conference that will highlight the importance of bridging the gap between CAM and Conventional Western Medicine. In our commitment to be a center of healthcare excellence in the region, DHCC is working towards providing high quality CAM therapies by leading healthcare experts to ensure the well-being of our patients and the community.”

 

The conference will feature a panel discussion that will witness the participation of Dr. Maria Alonso, Medical Director, Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre; Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Executive Director, CPQ, Dr. Adnan Abu Hammour, Medical Director, Abu Hammour Medical Centre; and Dr. Vangelis Zafeiriou, Psychiatrist, President and Founder of the Hellenic Association of Homeopathic Medical Cooperation. The panel discussion will be facilitated by the Chairman of the CAM Conference, Dr David Riley, Clinical Professor, University of NM Medical School.

 

DHCC through the CPQ has been successful in setting up a unique Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) governance structure, regulating healthcare professionals, healthcare operators and their practices, and measuring the outcomes of CAM procedures. DHCC is the first healthcare institution, outside the US, to implement CAM codes using ABC Coding Solutions and was cited as a best practice example in a meeting with the US Senate in 2009.

 

Over 4,000 general sales products, 250 homeopathic medicines and 300 herbal medicines are currently registered with the UAE Ministry of Health, demonstrating the importance of the expanding demand for integrated medicine in the region.

 

To date, DHCC has already licensed CAM treatments in 14 areas including Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Unani Medicine, Osteopathy, Therapeutic Massage, Naturopathy, Guided Imagery, Thai Chi, Pilates, Chiropractic, and Yoga, and continues to see a growth in this healthcare excellence cluster.