Sheikh Nahyan Opens VPS-Penn Medicine Diagnostic, Radiology and Medical Lab Conference

ABU DHABI, UAE, May 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Experts from various countries highlight the importance of Precision Medicine and the role of technology in innovative healthcare solutions    

The First International Conference of VPS-Penn Medicine opened in Abu Dhabi under the distinguished patronage and presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development. The conference focused in Precision Medicine, which helps provide personalized medicine and tailor-made healthcare in disease treatment and prevention.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160523/370667 )

Stressing about the importance of Diagnostic and Radiology, Sheikh Nahyan said, "This is a fundamental challenge to practitioners in healthcare.  You must stay abreast of variations in current practices, understand new developments, and master new techniques."

His Excellency, highlighting the content and the speakers for the conference, said, "VPS has assembled a highly competent faculty from our country's healthcare community and have reinforced it with six outstanding members of Penn Medicine."

"They join us from the first and oldest hospital in the United States that has for well over 250 years set the highest standards in providing superb care, conducting productive research, and educating legions of healthcare professionals.  It is a my great pleasure to welcome you experts from the City of Brotherly Love and our other participants from abroad to Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates," he added.

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Managing Director of VPS Healthcare and President of the conference said, "We are inspired by His Excellency Sheik Nahyan's leadership and vision in recognizing the need for innovative and cutting edge remedies for genetic diseases prevalent in the UAE and address this critical problem facing our people."

The world is moving towards Precision Medicine, which takes into account individual variability in genes, environment and lifestyle for each person and it is bound to transform the way diseases are treated.

"Precision medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention. Research in Precision Medicine will provide wider ability of doctors to use patients' genetic and other molecular information as part of routine medical care. It will also provide improved approaches to prevent diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases," said Dr. David Roth, Director, Penn Center for Precision Medicine.

"Precision Medicine is poised to be the next big thing, which the healthcare industry would witness," added Dr. Afrozul Haq Principal Scientist of VPS Healthcare

Speaking about the new ways emerging to treat cancer, Dr. Erica Carpenter - Director Circulating Tumor Material Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology at Penn Medicine - spoke about Liquid Biopsies.

"Liquid Biopsies are a way to detect extremely rare tumor cells or DNA in the patient's blood. This allows us to not only improve and personalize care, but also do it in a way that reduces pain and suffering for the patient," said Dr. Erica.

The global conference was attended by over 450 delegates including renowned doctors and researchers in the field of radiology and laboratory sciences discussing the latest innovation and challenges in precision medicine.

SOURCE VPS Healthcare