25 January 2010

Day One Opening Press Release




Healthcare world descends on Dubai


The Middle East’s largest gathering of healthcare professionals was inaugurated today (Monday 25 January 2010) by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

The Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, which runs until 28 January 2010, is the biggest event to date at the Dubai World Trade Centre taking up all available space and featuring more than 2700 exhibiting companies from 70 countries.

The healthcare world has descended on the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress which has again confirmed it is by one if the world’s most important healthcare exhibitions,” said Simon Page, Group Director of the Life Sciences Division of organisers IIR Middle East, who accompanied Sheikh Mohammed on a tour of the show.

Arab Health provides an unrivalled opportunity for professionals to bring their knowledge and understanding up to date and a testament to the continuing development of the region’s healthcare sector,”

With the Middle East healthcare sector continuing to enjoy robust growth despite the global downturn, more companies than ever are exhibiting at Arab Health this year in their search for new business, according to the organisers.

Germany has this year mounted its biggest ever representation at a health event outside of Germany with more than 400 companies participating. For the first time, the second biggest representation comes from China with around 300 exhibiting companies. Big representations also come from the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, each with around 200 exhibiting companies; and India, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan with upwards of 100 companies each.

Arab Health is the flagship of the Life Science Division of IIR Middle East, the largest trade and consumer event business in the region, and features the world’s biggest multi-track medical congress at which healthcare professionals can earn continuing medical education credits. The 2010 conferences, sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic Centre for Continuing Education, are being addressed by around 500 speakers and are hosting more than 5,500 attendees.

The winners of the Arab Health Achievement and Innovation Awards, recognising individuals, hospitals, departments, teams or organisations contributing to the growth and development of the industry, will be announced during a gala dinner tonight (26 January 2010) at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) is this year’s Arab Health Awards diamond sponsor. Gold sponsors are Roche, Miele, Cerner, dothealth, Microsoft Health Vault and Microsoft Amalga.

The Arab Health Exhibition and Congress is supported by the UAE Ministry of Health, Dubai Health Authority and the Abu Dhabi Health Authority. For further information on all aspects of the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, please visit: www.arabhealthonline.com