Mubadala Healthcare Experts To Feature At Second UAE Obesity Conference

Experts from Mubadala Healthcare’s Imperial London College Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), Healthpoint  and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi have been actively involved in the organization of the second UAE Obesity Conference to be held virtually on November 26-28. 

The conference is open to medical professionals including nurses, pharmacists and doctors, and is being held as a combined effort between Mubadala Healthcare providers Healthpoint, ICLDC and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and other stakeholders. The theme of this year’s event is “Obesity Across the Lifespan’. 

Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Senior Vice President of Mubadala Healthcare, says: “This important event is timely, given the fact that an estimated one third of the UAE population is considered obese, and the current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the impact that obesity can have on the course of infections. 

“Obesity is also linked to a multitude of chronic health issues and, as such, it has enormous bearing on the wellbeing of individuals and almost every aspect of UAE life, including our economy. We are delighted to share our findings and to collaborate with public and private stakeholders to find a solution for the benefit of the UAE and the wider region.”

In addition to those experts serving on the steering committees, several Mubadala Healthcare physicians will be speakers at the event, which is endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC).

The conference will see local and international experts from government, medical and academic institutions come together to tackle the issues surrounding obesity and its burden on the country. Healthpoint’s Dr. Mohammed Al Hadad will again chair the organizing committee for the second edition. Other members of the committee include Dr. Sara Suliman and Dr. Mohgah El-Sheikh of ICLDC, and Dr. Matthew Kroh of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Al Hadad, says: “After the success of last year’s inaugural conference, we will again focus on solutions, and on multidisciplinary insights into the management and prevention of obesity.” 

He adds: “We have planned a comprehensive program that makes an important contribution to the continuing professional development of healthcare professionals who treat people with obesity. The program includes epidemiology, causes of obesity, complications of obesity, management of obesity with a review of the UAE community program, as well as obesity in special situations such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy, childhood and advanced age.” 

Dr. Donna Ryan, Immediate Past President of the World Obesity Federation, will discuss obesity in older adults, while the conference will also feature experts from the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, ADPHC, Mubadala Healthcare, SEHA and other UAE-based stakeholders

Dr. Al Hadad is head of Healthpoint’s Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Centre that is accredited as a Center of Excellence by the international Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), which awards medical facilities based on safety standards and quality of care. The centre delivers world-class services to obese patients with diabetes who need a life-changing solution.

Continuous efforts to combat obesity

The UAE Obesity Conference 2020 is the second obesity-focused event that Mubadala Healthcare experts have been involved in as both co-organizers and speakers. The first was the regional SCOPE (Strategic Centre for Obesity Professional Education) school in collaboration with the World Obesity Federation, held virtually from Abu Dhabi on October 22-24. The event was endorsed by ADPHC and around 1,000 professionals participated over the three days. It was chaired by ICLDC consultant endocrinologist Dr. Sara Suliman, and featured two other Mubadala Healthcare experts, Healthpoint consultant bariatric surgeon, Dr. Mohammed Al Hadad, and Dr. Mohgah El Sheikh, a consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at ICLDC.

A highlight of the regional SCOPE event was the presentation and discussion of the new GCC and Lebanon Obesity Management Guidelines, developed by the World Obesity Federation with the help of regional experts, which will be formally published and launched in 2021. The UAE advisors for the guidelines included Director of the Public Health Division at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Dr. Suliman, Dr. Al Hadad, and also Dr. Wael Al Mahmeed from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.