Etihad Airways Medical Centre Hosts 4th Annual Aviation Health Conference in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways Medical Centre welcomed more than 120 medical professionals and experts to the annual Aviation Health Conference, under the theme “Ophthalmology and Colour Vision in Aviation”, held in in Abu Dhabi on 3-4 September.

The conference was 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.

“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.

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.

This year, the airline welcomed Dr Ansa Jordaan, Chief, Aviation Medicine Section at International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a guest speaker.

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.

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