The Arab Healthcare Development Annual Forum (AHDAF), which is the 19th annual forum of the Arab Hospitals Federation (AHF) began today (Sunday) at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health with the presence of a number of their Excellencies Arab Health Ministries and Representatives. 

The annual forum, held under the theme “Partnering to develop the healthcare sector” was organized by the AFH in collaboration with the Arab Ministries of Health, as well as number of Associations and health service providers in the Arab world.

The opening ceremony was commenced by an address delivered by H.E. Prof. Tawfik Khoja, AHF General Secretary that underlined the theme of the forum. He pointed out that 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. Prof. Khoja 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 centered care, information technology, and health leadership. 

Professor Khoja emphasized 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. 

Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Al Saidi, Minister of Health presented speech that highlighted the tangible accomplishments achieved in the Sultanate’s health sector in a short period of time. The effective health system in Oman has controled many diseases and above all some of these diseases were completely eradicated. Al Saidi stated that this had 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 the 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 centered 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 H.E. Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Saidi, Minister of Health. 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 H.E. Dr. Jawad Awad, the Palestinian Minister of Health, whereas the Pioneer Leadership Award in Healthcare For 2018 was to the late H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director EMRO where his son Dr. Anas Fakhri received on behalf. H.E. Dr. Bahr Idriss Al Qasim, Sudanese Federal Minister of Health was given the Leadership Award in Supporting the Arab Healthcare Sector for 2018 and the Excellence Award for Health Improvement for 2018 was awarded to H.E. Mr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed Al Owais, UAE Minister of Health.

Next, 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 in UAE 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. Moreover, 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, KSA. Finally the Arab Pioneering Award in Specialized Medical Care went to Obeid Specialized Hospital, KSA.

The honoring was followed by a Panel discussion on visions and strategies in the Arab Ministers of Health to develop the healthcare sector chaired by H.E. Prof. Tawfik Khoja, AHF General Secretary.    

At the end of the ceremony, the patron of the event and attendees toured the specialized health exhibition that displayed the latest services incorporated in the Arab hospitals, in addition to pharmaceutical and health requirements.

The forum aimed at highlighting the need of all the stakeholders in the Arab Healthcare sector to sit together and creating a cooperative platform in which ideas can become tangible solutions.

AHDAF includes two days conference sessions with highly selected presentations from all over the world, including interventions by renowned experts and speakers addressing many subjects including Visions & Strategies to develop healthcare sector, Universal Health Coverage, Accreditation, Quality and Safety, Leadership and Talent Management, Healthcare Technology Management, and Health Tourism.