More than 3,000 international academics, scientists and clinicians from 98 countries will converge in Doha during December 4-7, 2013 at the fifth annual ‘Excellence in Paediatrics Conference’ to share cutting-edge research and best practice aimed at improving care for paediatric patients, it was announced yesterday.
The international conference, to be hosted for the first time in the Middle East by the Sidra Medical and Research Centre at the Qatar National Convention Centre, is expected to be one of the largest international paediatric conferences of the year.
An agreement for hosting the conference was yesterday signed by Sidra chief medical officer Dr Edward Ogata and Excellence in Paediatric chairman Dr Dimitri Christakis.
Dr Ogata said: “Excellence in Paediatrics is an important forum for those at the frontline of delivering paediatric healthcare, bringing clinicians together with scientists and academics to identify innovations and insights that have the potential to transform care for children all around the world.
“We are very proud to be hosting this event in 2013 and look forward to working with the Excellence in Paediatrics Institute to make it an outstanding success. We are particularly excited about sharing our vision for Sidra with those visiting Qatar, and having the opportunity to showcase some of the innovations that will help to make Sidra a beacon of excellence in paediatric care,” he added.
Dr Ogata mentioned that Sidra’s physical structure has already completed and that the recruitment of its medical or clinical staff, especially senior physicians is almost complete.
“There is a slight modification in our plans and we are currently finalising the recruitment of senior staff as over 100 physicians have already joined and still signing on more medical staff to fill all our seven clinical departments comprising the obstetrics/gynaecology, paediatrics, anaesthetics, radiology, pathology, psychiatry and surgery,” Dr Ogata said.
The new Sidra facility will be all-digital, incorporating the most advanced information technology applications in all clinical, research and business functions, ensuring the highest quality of innovation-driven patient care.
As a specialty hospital that will focus on the health and wellbeing of women and children in Qatar and the region, Sidra aims to set new standards in patient care through clinical care, research, and medical education.
It will also provide extensive paediatric services, including oncology, trauma, surgical care, and support services.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Christakis, who is also a leading US-based paediatrician said, “In four short years, Excellence in Paediatrics has emerged as one of the biggest and best general paediatric congresses in Europe. In 2013, in partnership with Sidra, the Excellence in Paediatrics Institute will make it one of the most exciting and innovative in the world.”
Sidra’s Communications Project director Khalid al-Mohannadi, who ensured that the conference will focus on health topics that are related to Qatar and the region said: “Today is an important day for Sidra and for Qatar, and for children everywhere in the world. We are delighted to partner with the Excellence in Paediatrics Institute, which shares our vision of better care for children through innovation, training, education and partnership. Through this partnership, we can contribute to global advances in paediatric care.”