Emergency Medicine Conference Kicks Off In Abu Dhabi

In his speech at the official opening ceremony of the Emergency Medicine Conference organized by the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters on Monday, Al Sha’far said that hosting the conference reflects the world’s confidence in the prominent level attained by the UAE in organizing international scientific conferences.

Al Sha’far added: “The idea of organizing the conference was brought to light last year with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Harvard University Fellowship Program in Disaster Medicine, with a view to establish the Emergency Medicine Academy in the UAE, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in emergency medicine, as well as other disciplines in emergency, crises and disasters and to obtain international and local academic recognition for the Academy’s curricula, including CME courses to be implemented across the Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa regions with our strategic partners in the various Harvard colleges and hospitals.”

The opening ceremony was attended by Major General Staff Dr. Obeid Al Kutbi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police; Major General Khalil DawoodBadran, Director General of Finance and Services; and Major General Mohammed bin Al Awadhi Al Menhali, Director General of Human Resources. Also attending were Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Central Operations; Lt. Colonel Muhammed Ibrahim Al Ameri, Head of the Public Safety and Emergency Department; as well as a number of officers and employees in the ambulance and rescue areas.

Through its specialized workshops, the conference tackles several topics, namely; Emergency Airway Management; Advanced Concepts in Trauma Life Support: The FAST exam; Surviving Disasters, among Children and other Vulnerable and at Risk Groups: Emergency, Treatment and Mental Health Services in Post Disaster Settings; Communications and Security in Emergency Medicine and Disaster Settings; and Civil Aviation In Flight Emergency Medicine.

Major General Staff Dr. Obeid Al Kutbi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police indicated that the conference is instrumental to promote and develop emergency medicine, and implement the Abu Dhabi Police’s strategy in this regard. He added that the conference improves performance of the human cadre in dealing with emergency situations; pointing out that emergency medicine needs partnerships with universities, and other related entities.

Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Director General of Central Operations at Abu Dhabi Police GHQ noted that the conference reflects the strategic vision of the Ministry of Interior and the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ. It also comes in response to a national and regional need to develop the emergency medicine infrastructure, and boost the emergency sector’s readiness to deliver distinguished services that maintain individuals’ safety in emergency, disasters, and crises situations.

In his speech during the opening ceremony, Al Raisi noted that the UAE has made great strides to qualify and prepare qualified leaders in the emergency response field, with a view to achieve its vision and become one of the best countries in the world and the region in providing emergency medicine services for nationals, residents, and visitors of the UAE; which always seeks to achieve the highest levels of preparedness.

He added that thanks to the Police leadership’s support, the Ministry of Interior has dedicated significant attention to the emergency medicine sector. A remarkable development has been achieved in the past few years in the type of services it provides. He also pointed out to the establishment of the UAE Search and Rescue team in Abu Dhabi Police, which carried out several international rescue operations. The Central Operations Directorate General, represented by the Emergency and Public Safety Department and the Crisis and Disasters Department at Abu Dhabi Police has also attended training courses and events in Boston and California in the field of emergency medicine.

Moreover, he pointed out to the State’s efforts and contributions in the rescue operations in Philippines, in collaboration with the Medical Services Department and its Disaster Medicine partners from Harvard University. He also lauded the establishment of the Emergency Medicine Academy, the first-of-its-kind scientific establishment in the Middle East and North Africa Region with strategic partners in Boston and Harvard.

Professor Ron M. Walls, MD, from Harvard University expressed his thanks to the UAE for hosting the conference, which aims to explore and exchange international experiences in the field of emergency medicine, and the use of modern techniques in this area.

At the end of the opening ceremony, Lt. General Al Sha’far and the attendees toured the exhibition held alongside the conference, and reviewed the equipment used in emergency operations as well as the various stands of the Operations Department, the Vehicles and Drivers Licensing Department, the Civil Defense, the Emirates Driving Company, and the Emergency and Public Safety Department. 

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Dec 10, 2013

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