Dubai hosted the Third International Conference of the Emirates Rare Diseases Society on February 8, 2025. The event was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Dubai Health Authority, and various universities and institutions both domestically and internationally. The main goal of the conference is to raise awareness, share experiences, and explore collaboration opportunities to improve care for individuals affected by rare diseases.

Dr. Abdullah Al Khayyat, the CEO of Al Jalila Hospital in Dubai, officially opened the conference, which was attended by notable figures such as Mona Khalifa Hamad, a member of the Federal National Council, Dr. Younis Kazim, an advisor at Dubai Health, and Dr. Eman Taryam Al Shamsi, the acting head of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department at Al Jalila Hospital and Chairman of the conference. More than 300 doctors, along with children suffering from rare diseases and their families, participated in the event.

In his opening speech, Dr. Al Khayyat emphasized the complexity and chronic nature of rare diseases, which often manifest in childhood and can lead to severe disability or early death. He noted that these challenges hinder both doctors and researchers in understanding causes and finding treatments. Despite their rarity, he asserted that rare diseases merit special attention, and the conference aims to disseminate the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment, particularly with the use of artificial intelligence techniques.

Dr. Iman Taryam Al Shamsi, the conference president, highlighted that the event includes specialized interactive workshops across 28 sessions focused on the latest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. She mentioned that the final day of the conference would feature a comprehensive program that connects patients and their families with specialists to discuss the everyday challenges they face, offering potential solutions to enhance their quality of life.

The Emirates Rare Diseases Society aims to provide moral and psychological support to patients and their families, advocate for their needs, and enhance communication with similar international organizations. The association also focuses on increasing scientific knowledge about rare diseases, running educational programs to raise awareness, and developing public health policies. Nafisa Tawfiq, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Rare Diseases Society, stated that the UAE’s leadership has shown significant commitment to supporting the rare diseases community.

Additionally, the conference featured an exhibition with participation from 13 local and international companies showcasing their latest pharmaceutical products. This exhibition is considered one of the key highlights of the conference, which is an important annual event in the UAE’s healthcare calendar.