Arab Health Fair 2003 opened

The Middle East's premier hospital, medical equipment and services exhibition

Dubai, UAE (pts002/26.01.2003/17:56) Touring the show, which covers six halls at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC) and features over 940 exhibitors from 50 countries, HH Sheikh Mohammed praised the event, and its comprehensive conference programme, saying it supported the Dubai Government's efforts to establish Dubai, through the Dubai Healthcare City, as a regional centre of excellence.

HH Sheikh Mohammed said he was encouraged to see so many of the world's leading healthcare companies at Arab Health 2003. He added, the show's 50% growth on 2002, reflects the importance of the event to the region's medical sector and the wish of Arab governments to provide citizens with the latest treatments and services.

Visiting the Dubai Healthcare City stand, HH Sheikh Mohammed said he looked forward to when the city would host its own world-class medical exhibitions and conferences. Dubai's Crown Prince was accompanied on his tour by His Excellency Hamad AbdulRahman Al Midfa, UAE Minister of Health.

Arab Health 2003 is officially supported by the UAE Ministry of Health and is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister for Finance and Industry and President, Department of Health and Medical Services, Government of Dubai.

Of the 19 national pavilions at the show, Germany with 195 exhibitors is the largest. Other countries with substantial official delegations include the UK; Italy; USA; China and France. The exhibition also features Saudi Arabia's first national pavilion, with 19 exhibitors, and over 100 UAE-based companies.

"Many of the companies are demonstrating and displaying products that have never been seen in the region before, while others are showing the latest developments in their product line," said John Hassett, Exhibitions Director, Healthcare Division, for organisers IIR Exhibitions. "Visitors have a unique opportunity to source state-of-the-art medical equipment and services from the world's top health care companies."

Among the groundbreaking innovations at Arab Health 2003, are International Health Services (IHS), a 1,000 square metre, dedicated exhibition for the international healthcare industry, an Internet cafe and a healthcare recruitment arena.

The show also includes three segment-specific industry arenas, Pharmacy, the only Middle East event catering specifically to pharmacists, general practitioners and hospital medical staff; Arab Dentistry and MedLab, for laboratory and biotechnology products.

In addition, Arab Health 2003 is hosting the International Arab Health Congress, the Middle East's largest programme of medical conferences, organised in association with Saudi Arabia's King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. Over 45 healthcare specialists from the US, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia will focus on critical medical issues and the latest advances in patient care.

The conference stream also includes the Middle East Imaging and Diagnostic Conference, organised in association with the UAE Ministry of Health, that opens tomorrow (January 27) at Dubai's Crowne Plaza Hotel. "Radiology methods and technology are evolving very rapidly. Holding the conference as part of Arab Health will ensure the region's health service professionals tap into the latest developments," said Hamed Kazim, Director of Federal Radiology, UAE Ministry of Health.

"The conference will act as a regional primer for radiology staff, as well as clinicians and surgeons and help ensure the best medical care is available." Arab Health 2003 is open until 6pm today, 10am to 6pm tomorrow and
Tuesday and from 10am until 5pm on Wednesday.

For further information: Malcolm Ward, MCS/Action, PO Box 20970, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +971 4 3902960; Fax: + 971 4 3908161, Or visit Arab Health online at: http://www.arabhealthonline.com

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Ansprechpartner:	Malcolm Ward
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