MEAPEN (The Middle Eastern Alliance for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) Congress 2025 concluded on a high note at the Intercontinental Festival City in Dubai, drawing healthcare professionals, clinical nutritionists, pediatric specialists, and thought leaders from across the globe. This year’s event, hosted under the leadership of Dr. Wafaa Ayesh, Chair, MEAPEN Congress Vice President, ASPCN Consultant Clinical Dietician UAE, and other distinguished chairpersons, offered a comprehensive two-day scientific program that spanned critical topics in adult and pediatric nutrition.

The congress, which serves as a regional hub for evidence-based dialogue on clinical nutrition, featured parallel sessions in two halls — Adult (Hall A) and Pediatric (Hall B) — emphasizing MEAPEN’s commitment to tackling both ends of the age spectrum in healthcare nutrition.

Insightful Panel Discussions & Scientific Highlights

In Hall A, the adult sessions began with practical discussions on intravenous lipid emulsions, medical nutrition’s role in disease management, and the health economics surrounding nutritional interventions. Experts like Dr. Arthur van Zanten and Dr. Doaa Genena explored ICU-based personalized energy and protein strategies, while other sessions addressed malnutrition in ESRD patients, cancer therapy, and sarcopenia.

On the pediatric side, Hall B opened with crucial insights on NICU and PICU practices led by Dr. Kathleen Gura from the U.S. and regional experts. Day one’s sessions examined allergies, synbiotics, and food intolerances with a strong presence from the Gulf region, including Dr. Wajeeh Al-Dekhail and Dr. Eiman AlHinai.

Day two continued the momentum with sessions on ketogenic diets, liver disease, intestinal failure, Alzheimer’s nutrition links, and artificial intelligence in clinical dietetics. Of special note was a standout session by Dr. Gil Hardy on chyme reinfusion therapy and Dr. Mona Hashim’s evidence-based perspective on injectables in pediatric metabolic care.

Industry-Backed Satellite Symposia

Industry engagement played a pivotal role in MEAPEN 2025’s programming. Nestlé, Almarai, Lilly, and Nutricia hosted satellite symposia that provided attendees with hands-on insights into nutrition strategies for muscle recovery, cow’s milk allergy (CMA) management, GLP-1/GIP injectables, and oncology nutrition. These sessions bridged academia and commercial innovation, giving attendees access to real-world case studies and the latest product-based therapies.

Exhibition and Networking

Beyond the lecture halls, MEAPEN 2025 featured a bustling exhibition area showcasing the latest in nutritional products, medical devices, and digital health solutions. Delegates interacted with exhibitors, gained exposure to emerging technologies, and explored solutions tailored to the Middle Eastern population.

Networking breaks, including coffee and lunch sessions, were strategically placed throughout the agenda to promote dialogue among peers, facilitate research collaboration, and enhance regional capacity building in clinical nutrition.

A Platform for Regional and Global Collaboration

By convening over 70 expert speakers from countries including the UAE, Canada, Egypt, the Netherlands, Greece, Bahrain, and the USA, MEAPEN 2025 reaffirmed its position as a key player in driving forward the science of parenteral and enteral nutrition in the Middle East.

Also Read: ADGHW 2025 Concludes, Unveiling a Bold Vision to Transform the Future of Healthcare.

The congress did more than share knowledge—it fostered a unified commitment to personalized nutrition, early-life health, aging population care, and innovative nutrition therapy for chronic diseases. It also highlighted how cross-border collaboration is vital for setting unified standards and improving patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.

As the curtains closed on MEAPEN 2025, delegates left with enhanced knowledge, new partnerships, and renewed inspiration to bring nutrition to the forefront of clinical care.