An international conference on open-heart surgery concluded here today with a note of thanks and commendation to the UAE for its global initiative to help cardiac patients, according to WAM. The conference was co-organised by Emirates Open Hart Surgery Group, Sheikh Zayed and Ibn Sina Hospital and the Moroccan Ministry of Health. "The conference highly values the world-wide efforts of the UAE's Red Crescent Authority (RCA), which are led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and RCA Chairman. The humanitarian initiatives of the UAE's Open Heart Surgery Group have significantly ameliorated the suffering of thousands of cardiac patients around the world, especially among children and elderly people", the participants said in a final statement. The conference which brought together more than 85 consultants and surgeons stressed the need for concerted public and private sector efforts to help cardiac patients who cannot afford the cost of open heart surgical operations, whose cost range between Dhs.100, 000 to 200, 000. "In response to the plight of cash-strapped patients, the UAE launched its initiative to offer a glimmer of hope to these patients", said the statement.
