The 11th Annual SWAAC ELSO Conference-2025 kicks off in Abu Dhabi
 

(ABU DHABI) - The 11th Annual SWAAC ELSO Conference (South West Asia and Africa Chapter of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization) commenced in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 6 February, with over 1,000 international expert researchers and clinicians in the field of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in attendance.

The three-day conference started with a keynote address from Dr. Duane Caneva, Advisor to the Executive Director of the Center of Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPAR), who gave a comprehensive overview of Abu Dhabi's Department of Health (DOH) vision for the health system as a whole with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Rashid Obaid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Health Workforce Sector at the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, Dr. Salama Bin Rafeea, Executive Director for the CEPAR, Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, as well as the leaders of CCAD and SKMC. The chairpersons, Drs. Salman Abdulaziz and Vivek Kakar, in their opening remarks, highlighted the role the DOH, Abu Dhabi is playing in leading and coordinating the provision of complex care including ECMO, in partnership with the regional stakeholders.

"These workshops are specifically designed to instruct participants in catheterization techniques and address common complications associated with the extracorporeal life support (ECLS) program," he added.

On the first day of the conference, three main sessions focused on research findings in 2024, and global and regional updates in ECMO. Sessions also discussed the role of ECMO in patients with severe heart failure and monitoring tools in these patients. These expert talks were delivered by Speakers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Netherlands, Canada, India, Australia, the United States, Italy, and France.

Concurrently with the conference two workshops, one on pediatric ECMO and the other on cannulation on ECMO were organized and concluded with excellent feedback from over 50 attendees.

On the sidelines of the Conference, a range of devices and technologies in the domain of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and mechanical circulatory support were exhibited.

The Conference has received the endorsement of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the DOH has formally accredited the conference, designating 22.55 hours for the purpose of continuing medical education and 44 hours for workshops.
         
                

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