Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai
– Dubai chosen over Paris, Rome, and Copenhagen for event which will bring more than 4,000 delegates to the Emirate
– The first time ISBT Congress will be held in ME
The United Arab Emirates will host the 34th International Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in 2016, after winning a competitive bid process which also included Paris, Rome and Copenhagen.
More than 4,000 leading healthcare professionals are expected to travel to the UAE to attend the seven-day event, which will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The bid was led by the Ministry of Health, with support from the UAE Embassy in Holland, Dubai Convention and Events Bureau and Dubai World Trade Centre, where the Congress will be held.
Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, the UAE Ministry of Health’s Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practice and License; Chairman of the Supreme National Blood Transfusion Committee; and Congress President said: “We are honoured that the United Arab Emirates has been chosen to host the 34th International Congress of the ISBT in 2016, the first time this will be hosted in the Middle East. The selection of the UAE reflects the trust that the international community places in the leaders of the country in the field of medicine, and specifically blood transfusion.”
The American Association of Blood Banks classifies the United Arab Emirates as one of the five foremost countries in blood transfusion safety – the others being Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa and Malaysia – and the Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Center has been the collaborating global center of the World Health Organisation for the East Mediterranean region since 2008.
Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri continued: “The UAE and in particular, Dubai’s investment in blood transfusion capabilities over the last decade was a considerable factor in Dubai being chosen to host the Congress, and we give thanks to the UAE’s leadership for their commitment to offering both citizens and visitors the best possible facilities.
“We very much look forward to welcoming 4,000 delegates from all over the world in the field of blood transfusion, immunology and virology and to reaffirming that Dubai and the UAE are global leaders in blood transfusion.”
Hamad Mohammed bin Mejren, Executive Director of Business Tourism for the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said: “We are delighted that the organisers of the 34th International Congress of the ISBT in 2016 have chosen Dubai to be the host city, especially as it will be the first time that the event has been held in the Middle East.
“Winning the right to host the Congress was a result of the collaboration between ourselves, the Ministry Of Health and Dubai World Trade Centre and is a demonstration of the power of close partnerships and Dubai’s prominence as a world-leading events destination. Our Emirate has a proven track record of hosting high profile international conferences, with our connectivity, infrastructure and the expertise of the events industry being key differentiators, not to mention our range of hotels, leisure offer and Arabian hospitality, all of which combine to make a superior delegate experience.
“Healthcare in the Gulf is a multi-billion dollar industry, attracting patients from all over the world and considerable annual direct foreign investment. Hosting the congress will not only demonstrate that Dubai is a global leader in the MICE industry; it will also position the Emirate as a leading centre of healthcare excellence. We are confident that the event will be the best in ISBT’s 78-year history.”
Mahir Julfar, Director of Commercial Venues, Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “DWTC has become the epicentre for business tourism in the region,attracting congresses of world class stature and playing a critical role in the growth of international trade for the Middle East. We look forward to welcoming delegates from all over the world for the 34th International Congress of the ISBT in 2016, and we will work together with our partners to ensure a successful event for all.”
ISBT 2016 will take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in September 2016. In 2012 it was held in Cancun, Mexico while the 2014 edition will be held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea.
