MUSCAT: The Arab Healthcare Development Annual Forum (AHDAF), which is the 19th annual forum of the Arab Hospitals Federation (AHF) began on Sunday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saeedi, Minister of Health, in the presence of Arab Health Ministries and Representatives. The theme of this year is ‘Partnering to develop the healthcare sector.’
In his address Prof Tawfik Khoja, AHF General-Secretary underlined the theme of the forum said, ‘Partnership in health sector is one of vital pillars that all nations in the globe strive for advancing perfect health future for their people and that the Arab health sector is part of this system.’
He also added that partnership in this sector represents a key theme of the health transformation themes along with other important approaches such as institutional transformation, quality assurance, medical/health person centred care, IT, and health leadership.
Professor Khoja emphasised that the challenges that encounter the health sector and sustainability, in addition to health services quality and standards implementation as well as establishing health policies with the healthcare responsible persons in the Arab world, prompt us to join together as partners to scale up a high-level secured health services for every Arab nationals.
Dr Al Saeedi highlighted the tangible accomplishments achieved in the Sultanate’s health sector in a short period. The effective health system in Oman has controlled many diseases and above all some of these diseases were completely eradicated.
Al Saeedi stated that this led to changing the epidemical map in the Sultanate. Thus the challenges facing the local health sector remain in the chronic disease as it is the case in developed countries.
Each year, the Arab Hospitals Federation grants awards for distinguished personalities and hospitals that have made outstanding achievements and contribution to advance the health sector in the Arab world, provide patient centred safe care and high quality services for lower cost to all the Arab citizens.
The recognition awards were distributed during the opening ceremony in front of a high-level audience, starting with distinguished personalities.
The ceremony announced the Excellence Award for Safety & Patient Centered Care to Dr Al Saeedi, Princess Ghida al Talal, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center (KHCF) was awarded the Arab Woman Distinguished Award in Healthcare for 2018 and was received by the Jordanian Ambassador to the Sultanate Zuhair Al Nsour.
The Arab Health Personality Award in Preventing Diseases was granted to Dr Jawad Awad, Palestinian Minister of Health, whereas the Pioneer Leadership Award in Healthcare For 2018 went to late Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director EMRO where his son Dr Anas Fakhri received on his behalf. Dr Bahr Idriss al Qasim, Sudanese Federal Minister of Health, was presented the Leadership Award in Supporting the Arab Healthcare Sector for 2018 and the Excellence Award for Health Improvement for 2018 was awarded to Abdul Mohamed Al Owais, UAE Minister of Health.
The voting awards of the year 2018 for the best Arab Health institutions were announced during the opening ceremony that included five awards.
The Dubai Healthcare City was awarded the Excellence Award in Public Private Partnership, whereas the Excellence Leadership Award in the Development of Arab Profession went to Mouwasat Medical Services Company in KSA. Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar was granted the Excellence Award in Health Operational Performance, and the Excellence Award for Smart Hospitals was for King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz University Hospital. Finally the Arab Pioneering Award in Specialised Medical Care went to Obeid Specialised Hospital.
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