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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.
MedTech World 2025, held on February 24-25 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, attracted a record turnout, cementing its position as a premier event for healthcare innovators. The event brought together global leaders in medical technology, startups, investors, and healthcare professionals to explore the future of healthcare solutions.
Key highlights included impactful discussions on the role of AI and robotics in revolutionizing healthcare, from microsurgery to reproductive health. F.MED, for instance, presented its Robot-Assisted MicroSurgery (RAMS) system, a cutting-edge technology designed to address the global shortage of skilled surgeons. Other innovations, such as Wingwomen Technologies’ AI-powered medical device Nina, demonstrated the potential for data-driven precision in women’s health.
The MedTech World Awards 2025 also recognized exceptional contributions to medical technology, celebrating visionaries who are reshaping the healthcare landscape. The event culminated with the MedTech Startup Pitch Competition, where eight startups presented groundbreaking technologies. F.MED claimed the top spot with its pioneering RAMS system, while Wingwomen Technologies and EVAnatomy followed closely with their impactful health solutions.
The event concluded with discussions on future opportunities for scaling innovations globally and fostering collaboration within the medical technology ecosystem. MedTech World 2025 has once again proven to be a vital platform for driving forward the next generation of healthcare advancements.
Medlab Middle East, the largest medical laboratory exhibition and congress in the MENA region, is set to return to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 3-6 February 2025.
The event will offer a glimpse into the future of medical laboratories, showcasing the latest innovations in laboratory automation and cutting-edge technology. With the medical laboratory market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) on track to reach USD 473.84 million by 2029, growing at a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6%, the future of laboratory technology looks promising, and Medlab Middle East will be at the heart of this transformation.
The Rise of the Medical Laboratory Market
Medical laboratories play a pivotal role in healthcare, providing essential diagnostic services that support disease identification, treatment monitoring, and decision-making. These laboratories are integral to ensuring healthcare providers can deliver accurate, timely, and effective patient care. With an increasing demand for healthcare services in the MEA region, driven by rising chronic diseases, a growing population, and expanded healthcare insurance programs, the role of medical laboratories has never been more critical.
The market is set to experience substantial growth, driven by advancements in technology and the increasing need for faster, more efficient diagnostic services. As the healthcare sector in the region expands, laboratories are expected to play a more prominent role in improving patient outcomes and providing healthcare professionals with the data needed for precise, personalized treatment plans.
Medlab Middle East: A Showcase of Innovation
Now in its 24th edition, Medlab Middle East continues to be the premier event for laboratory technology and innovation. The exhibition will bring together global leaders, pioneers, and industry experts to share insights and explore the latest trends in medical laboratory technology. According to Tom Coleman, Group Exhibition Director at Informa Markets Healthcare, the event offers a platform for experiencing groundbreaking discoveries, networking with industry leaders, and engaging in discussions that shape the future of laboratory practices.
Among the key technologies that will be highlighted at Medlab Middle East are Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Point-of-Care Testing (POCT), and 3D Printing. These advancements are transforming the way diseases are diagnosed and treated. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are also revolutionizing medical labs, enabling more accurate diagnoses through data analytics and predictive algorithms that improve patient care.
Global Leaders Showcase Cutting-Edge Solutions
Medlab Middle East will feature some of the leading brands in the laboratory industry. Companies like Abbott, Beckman Coulter, Randox, and Sansure will present their latest innovations. Sansure, for instance, will showcase its new POCT solution, the IPonatic III Pro, which uses advanced magnetic extraction technology to overcome the limitations of traditional PCR methods, providing fast and reliable analysis. Beckman Coulter will introduce its DxC 500 AU Chemistry Analyser, designed to optimize lab operations, along with the Dxl 9000 Access Immunoassay Analyser, which enables labs to meet the growing demand for diagnostics. Randox will present the Acusera Smart Range, which helps laboratories minimize stock management and ordering, reducing inventory and saving time.
A Focus on Education and Thought Leadership
In addition to the exhibition, the Medlab Middle East Congress will bring together over 150 international and local speakers to deliver an insightful four-day program. With 12 CME-accredited conference tracks, the congress will cover topics such as Lab Management, Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Clinical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, and Immunology, among others. New for 2025, the Congress will feature Thought Leadership Forums dedicated to Women’s Health and Precision Medicine, addressing some of the most pressing issues in the medical laboratory field.
One of the highlights of the Congress will be the Global Lab Leaders Breakfast Forum, an exclusive gathering of advisers, scientific chairs, and international partners, where discussions will focus on advancing laboratory practices worldwide.
Looking Ahead: Empowering Laboratories for the Future
Medlab Middle East 2025 will center around the theme “Empowering Today’s Medical Labs for Tomorrow’s Global Future,” with a focus on the evolving needs of laboratories in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Key product categories featured at the event will include disposable items, healthcare services, imaging equipment, IT solutions, and pharmaceutical products. As the medical laboratory market in the MEA region continues to grow, Medlab Middle East will remain at the forefront of driving innovation and excellence in the industry.
The future of laboratories is undeniably exciting, and with events like Medlab Middle East, healthcare professionals and industry leaders will be well-equipped to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the ever-evolving world of medical diagnostics.
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