Etihad Airways Medical Centre has welcomed more than 120 medical professionals as well as international medical experts to the annual Aviation Health Conference, under the theme “Ophthalmology and Colour Vision in Aviation,” taking place from September 3 – 4 in Abu Dhabi.
The conference is under the
patronage of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Aeromedical
Section in partnership with Etihad Airways and Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre
Abu Dhabi.
In opening the conference,
Dr Nadia Bastaki, Etihad Airways Vice President Medical Services and Senior
Aviation Medical Examiner, who is the first Emirati woman to be
registered as a specialist in aviation medicine, highlighted the
importance of collaboration within the industry.
“Etihad Airways Medical
Centre organises annual aviation health conferences to
encourage collaboration among aviation medicine practitioners and health
industry stakeholders both in the region and internationally.
The airline is honoured to
have Dr Ansa Jordaan, Chief, Aviation Medicine Section at
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a guest speaker this year.
The ongoing education,
sharing of medical experience and latest intervention work towards
standardising medical practice and encouraging aviation safety by enhancing
aircrew health is of paramount importance, especially as we explore the latest
advances in the aviation field,” Dr Bastaki said.
The Etihad Airways Medical
Centre is a state-of-the art facility, which is staffed by 13
physicians and 15 nurses offering a full range of services including:
General Medicine, Aviation Medicine, Travel Health, Occupational Health, Ear
Nose and Throat (ENT) Services, Internal Medicine, Dental
Services, Physiotherapy, Laboratory and Radiology, 24 hour
Ambulance Service and National Service medical checkups for the airline's
staff.
Each year, a different topic
is discussed by the conference attendees who include aviation medical examiners
and nurses, ophthalmologists, doctors and other healthcare professionals from
major airlines and the health industry.
Speaking at the conference,
Dr Jordaan highlighted the issue of colour vision assessments,
calling it “a matter of high priority for the industry,” adding that “the
aviation industry needs to standardise assessments for colour vision across the
world”.
Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al
Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of United Eastern Medical Services, commended
the airline for highlighting the issue of ophthalmological health.
“Through Moorfields Eye
Hospital Centre Abu Dhabi, we are pleased to participate in this important
medical event in the field of aviation medicine, in collaboration with Etihad
Airways Medical Centre. We continue to provide full support and cooperation to
the industry,” said Mr. Al Hammadi.