Riyadh hosts the GCC Health Economics Conference, which is organized by the Executive Bureau of the GCC Council of Health Ministers in coordination with the World Bank, the Arabian Gulf Proramme for United Nations Organizations (AGFUND), the World Health Organization (WHO), King Faisal Specialized Hospital and Research Center, the International Union for Diabetes, and MOH during the period from 3 to 5 Nov 2007, at King Faisal Conference Hall, under the motto (Diabetes Economics, a Vital Investment). The opening session of the conference will be patronized by the Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Mane. The scientific committee of the conference has approved the conference's scientific program, including participation of 25 researchers and experts from different local, GCC, and international organizations, said Dr. Tawfeeq Ahmed Khoja, the Director General of Executive Bureau of the GCC Council of Health Ministers.
He said the conference aims at casting light on the different medical and social aspects of diabetes economics, discussing the huge challenges imposed by diabetes on health systems, looking into the costs of health care provided to diabetics (whether direct or indirect), reviewing some diabetes examples, activating the role of stakeholders in combating the disease, as well as enlightening related personnel and officials on the economic aspects of diabetes. The objectives of the conference also include reviewing international initiatives for controlling diabetes, effective use of resources, and yielding recommendations for use of decision makers. The conference will announce the "Riyadh Declaration", which will provide a basis for dealing with the problem.
The major topics of the conference include the challenges of diabetes and international and regional responses, costs of health care provided to diabetes patients, payment and compensation for a better care for diabetes patients, building a regional alliance, policies and plans adopted by GCC countries, economic simulation of diabetes, etc.
The conference also includes a women's forum under the title "Enabling for effective participation of women in the treatment measurements provided to diabetic patients", which will be directed by HH the wife of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Princess Hussah bint Tarrad Al-Shalan.