Experts at Arab Health call for urgent attention to menopause management in the Middle East
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 1.2 billion women worldwide will be menopausal or post-menopausal by 2030
Advancements in personalised medicine, bioidentical hormones, and delivery systems are making Hormone Replace Therapy (HRT) safer and more effective
The importance of HRT in improving quality of life was a key topic of discussion at the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Conference, taking place at Arab Health 2025 on 27–28 Januar
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has the potential to transform women's health over the next 50 years, helping women age with vitality and resilience. This key message was conveyed during the opening day of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Conference at Arab Health 2025. Experts came together to discuss how advancing HRT can address the unique healthcare needs of millions of women in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and wider Middle East region.
The 17th edition of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Conference, themed 'Fast Forward 50: ObGyn Evolution: Celebrating 50 Years of Progress and Future Innovations,' reflects on five decades of advancements in women's healthcare while looking ahead to the next wave of transformative innovations.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that more than 1.2 billion women worldwide will be menopausal or post-menopausal by 2030. As women in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia experience increased life expectancy - averaging 82 years in the UAE and approximately 79.5 years in Saudi Arabia according to World Bank data - the demographic shift underscores the increasing importance of effective menopause management for long-term health and well-being.
Speaking at the conference, Sadia Malick, Consultant Gynaecologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Riyadh, said: 'Focusing on HRT can lead to a better quality of life for ageing women, allowing them to remain active and healthy for longer. Moreover, advances in personalised medicine and a deeper understanding of individual hormone needs mean that HRT can be tailored to each woman's unique circumstances. Healthcare providers must prioritise HRT to ensure that women receive the most appropriate and effective treatments, leading to broader societal benefits such as reduced healthcare costs and enhanced productivity.'
HRT has evolved from using high doses of estrogen to now incorporating lower doses and combining estrogen with progesterone to reduce associated risks. This transition has led to the development of safer, low-dose treatments. Modern HRT options like tablets, patches, and gels allow for more personalised treatment plans. Recent advancements also emphasise using bioidentical hormones, which provide more natural and effective treatments with fewer side effects.
'Looking forward, genetic research and personalised medicine advancements will likely lead to even more tailored HRT regimens. Innovations such as hormone-specific delivery systems and improved formulations will enhance the efficacy and safety of HRT. Additionally, ongoing research into the long-term effects of HRT will continue to refine guidelines and recommendations,' Malick added.
Elsewhere on the conference agenda today, key sessions covered topics like uterine transplants and cutting-edge treatments for fibroids and endometriosis, reflecting the latest breakthroughs in women's healthcare. Discussions also delved into the integration of technology, including the role of artificial intelligence in obstetrics, signalling the future of personalised and efficient care in the field.
The 2025 Arab Health Congress, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, boasts a robust program with 10 CME-accredited conferences and three dynamic non-CME Healthcare Business Forums. The most anticipated conferences that began today are Total Radiology, Public Health, General Surgery, and Emergency Medicine & Critical Care. Additionally, this year marks the debut of the Healthcare Leadership Forum and the Digital & AI Conference, which are making their first appearance at Arab Health 2025, further enriching the congress with forward-looking discussions on innovation and leadership in healthcare.
Cynthia Makarutse, Conference Director, Informa Markets, said: 'At Arab Health 2025, we are excited to introduce new offerings which enhance the diversity and depth of our academic programming year after year. Equally significant is the much-anticipated return of our long-standing conferences, some of which have been running for over 25 years. Their enduring impact, especially during Arab Health's 50th edition, highlights our commitment to advancing education, enhancing careers, and improving patient care worldwide.'
Arab Health, celebrating its landmark 50th edition from 27 – 30 January 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), is the Middle East's largest and most important healthcare event and congress. Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the event brings together 3,800 exhibitors. It welcomes more than 60,000 visitors under the theme, "Where the World of Healthcare Meets", underscoring the event's role as a global hub for collaboration and innovation in healthcare.
Arab Health 2025 is supported by various government entities, including the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Government of Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority, the Department of Health, and the Dubai Healthcare City Authority.
About Arab Health
Arab Health is the largest healthcare event in the Middle East and is organised by Informa Markets. Established 50 years ago, Arab Health provides a platform for the world's leading manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to meet the medical and scientific community in the Middle East and subcontinent.
Arab Health Congress is reputed for delivering the highest quality Continuing Medical Education (CME) Conferences to medical professionals in the region.
Arab Health 2025 will take place from 27 - 30 January 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
The World Health Organization (WHO) Donates Mobile Water Testing Kits to Boost Angola's Water Safety Monitoring
The World Health Organization (WHO) today donated three mobile water quality testing kits to the Ministry of Health, through the Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS), to strengthen Angola's capacity to monitor and respond to waterborne disease risks—especially during health emergencies such as the ongoing cholera outbreak. These mobile kits allow for on-the-spot analysis of water sources, enabling health teams to detect issues such as pH levels, chlorine concentration, turbidity, and other key indicators of water safety—without the delays caused by transporting samples to laboratories. 'In provinces like Lunda Norte, we've faced serious challenges collecting and transporting water samples from remote communities,' said Alex Freeman, a WASH and Health logistics specialist deployed to Angola with the support of the WHO Nairobi AFRO Emergency Hub 'Now, with these mobile kits, we can conduct accurate tests immediately at the point of collection, enabling faster decision-making and a more agile public health response.' As part of the rollout, nine INIS staff members were trained on the use of the mobile kits, with additional training planned for personnel from other sectors in the coming weeks. The testing kits are also a practical tool for routine monitoring in hospital settings, helping ensure safe water for patients and health workers. As part of WHO's mandate to support water quality surveillance, the kits represent an important operational boost for both preventive health efforts and outbreak response. 'This is a great example of collaboration and targeted support,' said Simão Nhassengo, a WASH specialist deployed to Angola with the support of the government of the Netherlands. 'These kits will play an important role in monitoring water safety across Angola and ultimately help prevent the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.' The initiative was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of the European Union through European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and the Embassy of the Netherlands, whose support has also enabled technical deployments to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) capacity across the country. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Angola.
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Zawya
Lesotho leads Africa in health innovation: pilots Afro Influenza (AFFLU) Surveillance Platform
Lesotho has become the first nation in the WHO African Region to pilot the Afro Influenza (AFFLU) surveillance platform, a cutting-edge initiative aimed at boosting the country's health surveillance system. This platform, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the African region as an adaptation of the Eastern Mediterranean (EMFLU) Influenza surveillance version, is designed to enhance the collection, management, and analysis of both aggregate and case-based data on influenza and other respiratory viruses (ORVs). The AFFLU platform represents a significant leap forward in the realm of health data management. It facilitates the sharing of epidemiological and virological data, streamlines data management processes, and improves data quality across all levels of the health system. Muza Tendai, Information Systems Specialist from the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), emphasized the transformative potential of this platform. "This surveillance platform will strengthen the country's respiratory disease surveillance and enable integration capabilities with other surveillance systems and datasets. It will provide real-time and advanced data analytics capabilities, customized to regional and country-specific contexts," Tendai stated. To ensure the successful implementation of the AFFLU platform, WHO has trained 18 end-users in Lesotho. These individuals are tasked with collecting and managing real-time data at four selected surveillance sites within and beyond the Maseru district. This training is crucial for the effective operation of the platform and the accurate collection of data. Dr. Lieketseng Petcane, representing the Director General of Health Services at the Lesotho Ministry of Health, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative. "It is exciting that we are the first pilot country of this surveillance platform in our region. COVID-19 taught us many lessons, and diagnostics were a major challenge during that time. It revealed the gaps and areas that we needed to address. This platform will strengthen our surveillance and response. This will boost our human resource capabilities as well," Dr. Petcane remarked. The AFFLU platform is expected to have a profound impact on Lesotho's health surveillance system. Malefane Thamae, Maseru District Surveillance Officer, highlighted the benefits of this development. "This will help us in the early detection of an outbreak, hence improved Rapid Response to affected areas. It will provide our office with rapid access to countermeasures, such as the provision of appropriate vaccines," Thamae explained. Lesotho's pioneering efforts in piloting the AFFLU surveillance platform underscore the country's commitment to advancing its health infrastructure. By leveraging this innovative technology, Lesotho is poised to enhance its capacity to respond to respiratory diseases, ultimately improving public health outcomes for its citizens. As the pilot program progresses, the insights gained from Lesotho's experience will be invaluable for other African nations looking to adopt similar surveillance tools. The AFFLU platform not only represents a significant technological advancement but also a promising development for improved health surveillance and response across the continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Lesotho.
Filipino Times
16 hours ago
- Filipino Times
WHO says mpox outbreak still a global health emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the mpox outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern. This is the organization's highest level of alert used for major global health risks. According to a WAM report, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement after reviewing recent data and recommendations from the fourth meeting of its emergency committee. Mpox, which spread from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to nearby countries, continues to cause rising cases worldwide. The emergency status was first declared in August 2024 due to the rapid spread of a new form of mpox. While some countries have made progress in controlling the virus, the overall global situation remains serious. Experts warn that cases may still go undetected in countries outside of Africa. There is also concern about the virus increasing again in parts of West Africa. According to the WHO, challenges like poor disease tracking, limited access to testing, and lack of funds are making it hard for health workers to contain the outbreak. These problems highlight the need for more international help and resources. The health body has issued updated temporary recommendations to guide countries in strengthening their response efforts, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
