Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) will host the International Council of Nurses’ first Regional Conference at its Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from September 25th to 27th 2018. This important Conference will be co-hosted with the Emirates Nursing Association (ENA) and in collaboration with the SEHA International Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health conference. This regional gathering of nurses will focus on the strategic topic of ‘Ensuring access to healthcare through leadership, innovation and collaborative practice, an area of particular interest for the GCC region. The forum will act as a platform for the exchange of experience and expertise among the nursing community, discuss best international practices, network and build relationships and disseminate knowledge and information among the global nursing fraternity. Registration or the conference is now open until 24 September.

The event assumes tremendous significance for the region, given that the International Council of Nurses has chosen Abu Dhabi as the next host city for their Congress, in 2021—widely complementing the emirate’s continuing efforts to be a regional hub for medical excellence.

Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Acting Chief Commercial Officer at ADNEC, said: “We are pleased to host the strategic ICN 2018 Regional Conference in September. The event is an extremely vital one for the region, as it will help assess international best practices in the field of nursing and align the UAE’s nursing and health strategies with global trends. We expect some of the best minds in the profession, both regional and global, to converge for this landmark event.”

“ADNEC has a rich history of hosting major events, exhibitions and conferences that fall in line with its strategy of hosting events that nurture the key economic sectors of the country. We are confident that the ICN conference will add to our growing repertoire of niche events that strengthen and consolidate ADNEC’s position as a leading destination for events of any size or capacity in the region,” he added. 

“This inaugural regional conference will be a key step in ICN’s strategy to strengthen its regional work,” said Professor Thomas Kearns, ICN’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful to the Emirates Nursing Association, the SEHA International Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health conference and ADNEC for working with us to make this exciting event a reality.”

Ms Aysha Al Mahri, President of the Emirates Nursing Association, said: “We are honored to host the first ICN regional conference. Since its establishment, the ENA exists exclusively to strengthen the nursing profession in the United Arab Emirates and has been a member of the International Nursing Council (ICN) since May 2005. We believe that this opportunity will strengthen the collaboration between us and ICN and our local partners namely ADNEC and SEHA and will promote nursing in UAE and the region.

“Dr. Samah Mahmoud, Chair of SEHA International Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health Conference (SINMAC), said: “SINMAC is an annual assembly of Health Care -related professionals in the UAE region which was launched in 2011.Over the years, (SINMAC) fostered for a strong collaboration between Nursing, Midwifery, and Allied Health Professions throughout the UAE, Regionally and Internationally’’. “Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), an independent public joint stock company that owns and operates all public hospitals and clinics across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is the largest healthcare network in the UAE, providing a continuum of care to residents and utilizing leading-edge technologies. With SEHA support; SINMAC creates a propitious environment for Nursing, Health Care and scientific research, fosters for innovative approaches for health promotion and public advocacy within the healthcare community of the UAE’’ she added.

This year, SINMAC is Proud to collaborate with the ICN Regional Conference as a step towards the ICN Congress in year 2021”

This crucial event will provide greater insight on ICN’s strategic direction and the Nursing Now campaign, while focusing on pertinent regional issues like the challenges posed by non-communicable diseases and patient safety; innovative approaches to patient care; transition from acute to community care; infection control and prevention; migration and workforce development; evidence-based nursing practice; and artificial intelligence and healthcare informatics.

The registration process for the conference will last till the 24th of September.