Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development has said that the development of a first-class healthcare system in the UAE has been a primary objective of His Highness President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
He added that with the strong guidance and support from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates developed one of the fastest growing healthcare systems in the world.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Neurohabilitation Conference, Exhibition, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Sheikh Nahyan said, "With Sheikh Khalifa's guidance, we have set world standards of quality for our hospitals and clinics," adding that the cutting edge medical research and connections to the latest medical advances in the world are essential mechanisms, in the development of the country's healthcare system." Welcoming the participant medical professionals, he said, "It is my distinct pleasure to address this important Neurorehabilitation Conference yesterday. I am delighted to see so many medical professionals gathered here intent on acquiring knowledge. I especially welcome those of you who are visiting Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. Your participation highlights the importance of international exchange and cooperation in promoting medical education and research. By working together across international boundaries, you represent a powerful force for peace and understanding in the world." Sheikh Nahyan added that the event reflects the growing stature of Abu Dhabi as a capital city of a nation determined to be a global crossroads featuring the best healthcare in the region and the world as well.
Paying a rich tribute to the UAE founding father late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, he quoted Sheikh Zayed as saying "A true leader thinks of his people as members of his own family. He cares for them and looks after them at all times." He underscored that rarely is such solicitude more pertinent than it is in the field of Neurorehabilitation. "The patients whom you treat did not choose their neurological malfunction." Sheikh Nahyan noted that the depressing statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation established that the world is home to far more patients and potential patients than doctors could ever treat, adding that the scores and scores of neurological disorders that afflict human beings challenge true leaders everywhere.
He called for concerted efforts to improve the general health of the population and reduce the number of patients needing treatment. "At least in regard to the prevention of strokes, we must work hard to influence changes in the lifestyle of the people living and working in the UAE. We all must adopt more healthy diets. We must stop smoking. We must dramatically increase our physical activity. I acknowledge that such changes will not occur overnight. But I hope that those of you who deal with the consequences of our unhealthy habits will appreciate any movement toward a better style of living." In the never-ending struggle, Sheikh Nahyan continued, people need better diagnoses, better treatments, and better techniques.
He noted that the members of the general public, admire and appreciate dedication of medical professionals to life-long learning, belief in continuous improvement, insistence on competence, and application of a tireless work ethic. "We salute your energy and dedication. We treasure your efforts. The world stands in awe of your aspirations and accomplishments. It hopes against hope that you will restore its original condition. We are grateful for your steadfast resolve to treat us in the most knowledgeable way possible.
I do not want to keep you from your noble work any longer," he said.
He concluded that the Neurorehabilitation field offers great hope for millions of patients around the world, adding that it would be enormously enhanced by the education of the general public, appropriate training of physicians, disseminating the latest research findings, promoting prevention strategies, and through cooperation among countries and institutions.