The Healthcare Future Summit 2024 was inaugurated in Dubai today by his Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority. The three-day summit is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Under the theme "Vaccination, Research & Development, Policy, and Delivery: Towards a Healthier Future," the summit is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with over 5,000 attendees and 112 brands representing more than 70 countries.

His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, emphasized that Dubai stands as the ideal global center for organizing and hosting summits and events, including the "Healthcare Future Summit." He highlighted that these major health conferences and forums offer valuable opportunities to address pressing health issues and explore the future of the medical sector—encompassing advancements in sciences, facilities, and technologies—amidst its rapid changes.

His Excellency further noted that the Dubai Health Authority places significant importance on such scientific and professional events, considering them vital platforms for exchanging expertise and transferring knowledge. Moreover, these gatherings strengthen relationships and build partnerships with esteemed healthcare institutions, both nationally and internationally, in line with the DHA’s commitment to openness.

Al Ketbi stated, “This summit comes at a time when there is an increasing need to exchange ideas and experiences regarding the potential opportunities to enhance public health in our communities, especially with the rapid and remarkable advancements we are witnessing in modern technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovations, alongside the global changes in addressing diseases and the challenges posed by epidemics.”

His Excellency noted that the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, has a successful model in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the world. This experience underscored the importance of achieving health security, the continuous modernization of infectious disease prevention systems, the management of vaccination programs, and the necessity of utilizing modern technology and smart solutions to combat potential future epidemics.

Al Ketbi added, “Undoubtedly, all of this reflects the current global directions and represents the key themes and pillars of this summit, which we at the Dubai Health Authority place great hope in. We look forward to its outcomes and aim to develop new insights to support health security in all our communities, especially with the summit featuring experts, doctors, and specialists from various countries around the world.”

The summit is expected to attract over 5,000 visitors, featuring 206 speakers who will lead 148 scientific sessions alongside more than 112 brands representing over 70 countries. The event will also include more than 135 presentations of scientific posters and workshops.

The summit also includes other international events, such as Dubai Otology, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery Conference & Exhibition, which covers the latest medical advancements in regenerative medicine, middle ear cancer, and rare medical cases. Additionally, there is the Annual Radiology Meeting, featuring technical and diagnostic sessions that significantly provide attendees with the latest medical information on various topics, including nuclear medicine.

Furthermore, the International Family Medicine Conference & Exhibition aims to enhance healthcare by promoting concepts of family medicine and highlighting important topics, such as the benefits of machine learning models in identifying individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as the risk factors associated with low blood sugar levels among diabetic patients. This event will also feature numerous scientific sessions and specialized workshops.

His Excellency Amb. Dr. Abdulsalam AlMadani, PAM Roving Ambassador for the GCC Region and CEO of the Healthcare Future Summit, stated: "Today, we strive to make every effort to enhance international cooperation through the Healthcare Future Summit to address global health challenges that threaten the future of humanity. The summit serves as a vital platform for exchanging ideas and experiences, and its hosting in Dubai highlights the UAE's pioneering role in laying the foundation for a healthier future for the entire world."

On its first day, the Healthcare Future Summit addresses various critical topics, including the latest developments in artificial intelligence in medicine and healthcare and discussions on responsible AI in this field. The summit will also focus on new scientific goals, such as longevity, immunological aging, and healthy aging.

The Healthcare Future Summit focuses on four key pillars that contribute to the sector's development, including “Hacking the Future” through discussions of the latest research, developments, and technologies that are pivotal in improving healthcare quality. Additionally, it will review “Navigating Policy, Regulation, and Strategies” related to vaccines on a global scale, which helps enhance responses to pandemics and ensures the effective provision of vaccines. This includes developing supply chains, distribution methods, and health economics associated with vaccination efforts, crucial for providing seamless access to vaccines. Furthermore, the summit will focus on enhancing the impact of vaccines through the adoption of best practices to combat infectious diseases, contributing to the reduction of disease spread and improving community health. These pillars form the foundation for meaningful discussions that will help shape the future of healthcare.

In addition, emerging issues stemming from crises will be discussed, focusing on strategies to protect vulnerable populations and the impact of ongoing crises on health in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The Healthcare Future Summit 2024 is organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Org. LLC, a member of INDEX Holding, and supported by the Dubai Health Authority, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), the Emirates Public Health Association, the World Federation of Public Health Associations, the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID), the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.