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3D medical printing zone at Arab Health to highlight Dubai's aim and strategy to become an international leader in 3D medical printing by 2021
Dubai, UAE - The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Arab Health Exhibition & Congress announced today that they have forged a strategic partnership that gives healthcare professionals in the region a revolutionary insight into the future of 3D medical printing. With the theme ‘Fast Forward 2030’, the 3D Medical Printing Zone at Arab Health features the latest pioneering technologies in 3D medical printing, along with hands-on workshops and a conference with regional and international speakers; all in collaboration with the DHA and other leading global companies specialising in 3D medical printing.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Mohammad Al Redha, Director of the Executive Office for Organisational Transformation at the DHA, said, “In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the DHA has prioritized fostering the development of future technologies such as 3D printing in healthcare.This collaboration provides us an opportunity to hold roundtable discussions with some of the best minds in the industry and showcase interactive demonstrations of 3D models to visitors. The DHA’s partnership with Arab Health's 3D Medical Printing Zone aims to create meaningful discussion and action about the three core pillars of 3D printing: awareness, regulation and implementation.”
For the first time in the region, healthcare professionals have the unique opportunity to experience and learn from live 3D printing of hard and soft tissue for dissection during practical hands on training sessions. Through watching a team of surgical experts showcasing their skills on 3D printed tissue in advance surgical procedures, delegates are able to understand the immense capacity of 3D printing in a medical setting, as well as begin practicing skills for the future.
Speaking of the benefits of 3D printing, Dr Al Redha said, "3D printing is revolutionising healthcare, from the possibilities of printing medication to radically changing the design behind prosthetics. The capability to print such fine and intricate details is not available on any other technology. By producing 100% identical models of organs, Additive Manufacturing (AM) helps improve patient outcomes in so many ways such as preoperative surgical planning especially for complicated surgeries. However, is not only beneficial for medical professionals but also helps advance patient education.”
"Whether it's through showing a patient a 3D printed replica of their malignant kidney to convince them to undergo life-saving surgery, or giving a child new hope through a prosthetic arm, 3D printing is set to touch the lives of many patients in the UAE," Dr Al Redha continued.
One new training session at the Hands-On-Training area at Arab Health includes heart valve replacement using virtual reality goggles, which is led by Dr Rafael Guerrero from the Alder Hey’s Children’s Hospital in the United Kingdom. At this session, an MRI scan of the patient’s heart is used to create 3D printed soft tissue replicas for surgical procedures and an operation room surgical practice dummy is used with the 3D printed heart placed inside for the surgeon to perform the heart valve replacement procedure. The surgeon wears virtual reality (VR) goggles for a fully immersive teaching experience, which is streamed to a live audience of regional healthcare specialists.
Simon Page, Managing Director at Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, commented on the important responsibility that Arab Health has in preparing UAE healthcare professionals for the future of 3D medical printing. “By offering healthcare professionals this unique experience in 3D medical printing, hosted by world-class specialists, I believe this year’s Arab Health Exhibition & Congress is taking us one step closer to achieving the Government’s plan of Dubai becoming a leader in 3D printing by the year 2021,” he said.
Arab Health’s industry partner Stratasys Medical Solutions, who is a global leader in 3D printing, are showcasing their Stratasys J750 3D Printer via live on-stand demonstrations and patient-specific cases. This new technology will allow hospitals to produce realistic surgical models that combine full-colour, multi-material 3D printing to mimic soft and hard human tissue, as well as full colour capability for enhanced realism. Not only will this allow medical students and training physicians to practice techniques and develop skills on realistic models, but it will also enable physicians to determine the best procedure before entering the theatre room, delivering savings in operating times and improving patient care.
Commenting on the importance of the event, Michael Gaisford, director of marketing at Stratasys Medical Solutions, said, “Arab Health is one of the most significant medical events in the world and, with its dedicated 3D printing conference, is the ideal platform for us to demonstrate the growing importance of 3D printing in traditional medical care and its potential in both emerging and future applications. With the ability to reduce unexpected risks and provide quick and cost-effective healthcare solutions, 3D printing is fast-becoming an integral part of the surgical planning and training.”
The 3D Medical Printing Zone is featured at the Arab Health Exhibition & Congress, which is currently underway and will run until Thursday 2 February at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. For more information, please visit www.arabhealthonline.com.
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About Arab Health Exhibition & Congress:
Arab Health Exhibition & Congress, the largest healthcare event in the Middle East, takes place from 30th January - 2ndFebruary 2017 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and is organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions. Established 42 years ago, Arab Health provides a platform for the world’s leading manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to meet the medical and scientific community in the Middle East and subcontinent. In total, the exhibition is expected to welcome over 120,000 visitors. The Arab Health Congress is reputed for delivering the highest quality programme of Continuing Medical Education (CME) to medical professionals in the region. Attended by more than 8,000 delegates from around the globe, the conference programmes bring a global appeal with international speakers covering a broad spectrum of medical specialties and disciplines.
Website: www.arabhealthonline.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/arabhealth
Twitter: @Arab_Health #ArabHealth
Overview video: https://goo.gl/bh7V1d
About Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions:
Website: www.informalifesciences.com
About the Dubai Health Authority:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the DHA and His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA.
The DHA’s aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA’s mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.
In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.
The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff. It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.
Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.
Media contact:
Emily Cope-Smith
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Emily.Cope-Smith@HKstrategies.com
+971 56 401 8482
DHA Media Contacts:
Mahmoud Al Ali
Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Head of Media
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority
Dubai Health Authority
myalali@dha.gov.ae
Klgupta@dha.gov.ae
NNNazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 219 7260
+9714 2197455
© Press Release 2017