The Ministry of Health (MOH) has completed its preparations to launch the 3rd International Conference on Mass Gatherings Medicine under the theme: «From Mass Gatherings Medicine to Mass Gatherings Health: Evolving Perceptions and Practices». The three-day conference will be held, in collaboration with Al-Faisal University, under the Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, may Allah protect him, next Monday in Riyadh.
The conference will discuss a number of scientific topics, namely: basic concepts on human gatherings, public health experiences on human gatherings, risk management for mass gatherings, communicable diseases at mass gatherings, non-communicable diseases at mass gatherings, other health risks at mass gatherings, crowd psychology and behavior at mass gatherings, crowd management and control, as well as education and capacity building in the field of mass gatherings health and management, in addition to other issues on human mass gatherings health and management-related topics.
The conference aims to present the latest knowledge and concepts in the field of human mass gatherings health and management, to share expertise in planning for human gatherings and crowd management, to identify knowledge gaps, and to sustain research and capacity building in the field of mass gatherings health and management.
It is noteworthy that the Global Center for Mass Gatherings Medicine is a national center collaborating with WHO for mass gatherings health and management. It is one of five international centers, specialized in mass gatherings health and management. It aims to develop policies, regulations and processes based on the findings of documented scientific research, and to build human capacity in the field of mass gatherings health and management, while capitalizing on the Kingdom’s accumulated experience in this area. The center also seeks to develop evidence-based policies and plans, to conduct and enhance research, to document the Kingdom's experience and expertise, to develop human resources in the field of mass gatherings health and management. Besides, it is designed to boost health and community engagement during mass gatherings, to establish a unified health registry system for mass gatherings management, to build national and international networks in mass gatherings health and management, and to exchange expertise in the field.