Introducing Professor Ayman El-Khattab
In anticipation of the II CIS Orphan Forum, which will be held on June 26–27 in Moscow, we continue a series of publications about our foreign speakers— leading experts in the field of rare diseases from the CIS, BRICS and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries.
The United Arab Emirates, with a population of about 11 million people, has been a part of the expanded BRICS format since 2024.
- The country has demonstrated steady growth in investment in healthcare: expenditures amount to about 4-5% of GDP ($2,300-2,700 per capita), with the state covering more than 70% of total costs.
- The country has a compulsory health insurance system and is actively introducing innovative technologies, including digital medicine, telemedicine services, and genetic screening programs for newborns.
The country will be represented at our Forum by Professor Ayman El-Khattab — President of the MENA Congress for Rare Diseases, Founder of the MENA Organization for Rare Diseases, Director of the Orphan Center at Burjeel Medical City (BMC) in Abu Dhabi, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Sharjah.
He is the author of numerous scientific publications and a participant in international expert platforms, actively working in the field of clinical and biochemical genetics.
At the Forum, Professor El-Khattab will talk about the situation with rare diseases in the MENA region, where, like in Central Asia, there is a high prevalence of hereditary and rare pathologies.
Particular attention will be paid to the experience of the UAE: current initiatives in the field of rare diseases, expansion of screening programs, introduction of clinical genetic services, as well as the work of the Orphan Center in Burjeel Medical City - one of the leading specialized institutions in the region, providing comprehensive care to patients with rare and genetic diseases, including diagnosis, management, rehabilitation and family counseling.
The Forum will be held online. Participants will be able to join the broadcast in real time and watch the reports, presentations and discussions.
Participation is free!
Registration for the Forum: https://orphan-cis.net/events/92/
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