Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the 9th International Pediatric Conference was successfully concluded under the theme of “Love.” The event took place at the Hilton Al Habtoor City in Dubai, bringing together leading pediatric consultants from around the world to exchange expertise and discuss the latest advancements in modern medicine.
Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Maktoum praised the conference for its scientific value and its distinguished attendance, highlighting the participation of major international companies specializing in pediatric healthcare. The conference was attended by high-profile figures, including:
Dr. Zuhair Al Fardan, President of the Emirates Pediatric Institutes Association, Dr. Abdullah Al Khayat, Executive Director of one of Dubai’s leading hospitals, Dr. Joseph Haddad, President of the Global Child Health Organization Carlos Rivera, the upcoming president of the organization, Dr. Intisar Al Hammadi, President of the UAE Association for Neonatology and Pediatrics, emphasized that this year’s conference slogan, “Love Means Care,” reflects the importance of compassionate care in achieving better treatment outcomes. The conference placed significant emphasis on preventive healthcare, highlighting that more than 50% of childhood diseases can be prevented through proactive measures. Additionally, it shed light on children’s mental health, an area that often lacks sufficient attention.
This major international conference brought together leading experts in pediatric health to discuss future initiatives and strategies for child healthcare.
Dr. Islam Al Baroudi, Professor of Pediatrics at Cairo University and Khalifa Medical City Hospital in Abu Dhabi, stated that this year’s theme, “Spreading Love,” aims to expand the concept of love to encompass the relationship between children and their families, as well as between doctors and patients, ultimately enhancing the quality of pediatric healthcare.
He noted that this 9th edition of the conference saw a significant increase in participation, exceeding 3,000 attendees, reflecting its growing importance in the field of pediatric health. The event featured 250 speakers, 200 session chairs, and an expansion in workshops from 25 in previous editions to 125 this year, highlighting the increasing significance of the conference year after year.
Further developments included greater international participation and a stronger focus on pediatric cardiology and nutrition, which were not primary topics in previous editions.
Dr. Al Baroudi concluded by emphasizing the need to standardize medical practices in the UAE while aiming to expand these efforts globally, ensuring the highest standards of pediatric healthcare at regional and international levels.