The Ministry of Health (MOH) has completed all preparations and arrangements for the hosting of the 2nd International Conference for Mass Gathering Medicine to be organized at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh over the period from 15-17/11/1434H (corresponding to 21-23/09/2013) under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, May Allah protect him. The organizing committees are keen to show the Conference in such a manner worthy of the standing of the Kingdom and its excellence in the organization of such global conferences.
The Ministry has welcomed all the participants in the Conference, wishing for it to put forward recommendations that support the health work march in the field of mass gathering medicine.
The Deputy Minister for Public Health and Chairman of the Conference's Higher Committee, Dr. Ziad Memish, pointed out in a press conference held at the premises of the Ministry of Health that the 2nd International Conference for Mass Gathering Medicine will focus during its sessions and papers of research on the latest developments regarding the novel Coronavirus (MERS-Cov) as well as the best ways to confront and limit its spread, and the development of its therapies during the seasons of Hajj and Umrah. In addition, the Conference is to discuss the updates of the virus on the domestic and international levels, along with many other themes that enrich the goals of the Conference.
Within the same vein, Dr. Memish highlighted that the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties had approved 20 certified training hours for the Conference, stressing that registration will be free for all participants in the Conference.
Meanwhile, Dr. Memish underscored that the Conference draws its importance from the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, May Allah protect him, as well as the participation of 15 Health Ministers from the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG), USA, France, Cuba, Canada, Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia and South Korea.
The Conference is to be attended also by high-level organizations and global and regional institutions, with the participation of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (LAS), the GCC Secretary-General, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Regional Director of the WHO's Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, members of the International Advisory Board of the Saudi Ministry of Health, and a number of experts and scientists from different countries all over the world.
Dr. Memish noted that the Conference aims to overview the scientific and practical experiments, which were previously handled in similar circumstances, in such a manner promoting effective health procedures, being taken to deal with the mass gatherings and crowds during seasons of Umrah and Hajj.
Within the same vein, Dr. Memish pointed out that the Conference is considered an opportunity to review the experience of the Kingdom in the Hajj season; describing it as a unique experience, as the Kingdom manages the affairs of more than two million pilgrims within a limited geographic and time scope, the matter making it as a leading example.
Furthermore, Dr. Memish added that the Conference is also an opportunity to take advantage of the international experts and specialists coming from the international organizations and the Western countries, and to allow the exchange of experiences, contributing to the development of the health programs in this vital area.
Moreover, Dr. Memish highlighted that the MOH had created a website for the Conference via the following link;
http://www.gcmgm.com, adding that the website includes a welcome speech for the participants and guests of the Conference as well as its Scientific and Practical Program; along with a list of speakers and organizing committees. The Conference's website includes also scientific articles, as well as video clips that highlight the importance of Mass Gathering Medicine, and all the news related to the Conference.
Finally, Dr. Memish has expressed his deepest thanks and appreciation for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, May Allah protects him, due to his Majesty's approval to patronize such a Conference, stressing that such patronage highlights the leadership's support and care to upgrade the health sector, its events and its vital activities; in an endeavor to preserve the health and safety of the people of this beloved country.
It worth mentioning that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, May Allah protect him, had patronized the 1st International Conference on the Impact of Mass Gathering on the Public Health, organized over the period from 15 to 17/11/1433H (corresponding to 23–25/10/2010) in Jeddah. It was attended by more than 500 experts and 30 speakers and specialists from various countries around the world; that is to be added to experts from the WHO and Arab and Gulf organizations.
This Conference has recommended establishing an international reference body in the Saudi Arabia to be specialized in the health of mass gathering and crowds. In addition, this body will be responsible for the tasks of classification and definition of terms, functions and activities of mass gathering health, as well as spreading of its culture, programs and systems based on data as well as the considerable and certain research outputs.