Abu dhabi: The 2025 Annual Transfusion Medicine Update Conference kicked off today in Abu Dhabi, featuring participation from leading physicians and specialists in transfusion medicine, laboratory sciences, and clinical practice worldwide. The event has drawn experts from the United States, Canada, Japan, and GCC countries, along with representatives from over ten international companies specializing in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and blood transfusion technologies.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Eiman Al Zaabi, Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and Chair of the Conference, emphasized the conference’s importance as a regional leader in specialized medical gatherings. She noted its role in fostering international collaboration among medical institutions and attracting researchers to engage in joint projects that advance transfusion medicine and clinical practices.
Dr. Al Zaabi highlighted the conference’s focus on gene therapy and its potential to improve patient outcomes, alongside discussions on integrating AI technologies into transfusion medicine. She affirmed that AI is now crucial in laboratory operations, aiding in patient stratification and suitability assessments for gene therapy by analyzing laboratory results and clinical cases, thus enhancing medical decision-making.
Furthermore, AI is transforming the analysis of large patient datasets, reducing the workload for specialists and providing physicians with improved access to global research, thereby enhancing medical knowledge and diagnostic capabilities. Dr. Al Zaabi also emphasized the role of pharmaceutical companies in supporting AI integration into blood bank devices, improving data analysis and operational efficiency.
The conference’s scientific committee has developed a comprehensive program with international experts, featuring research presentations and scientific papers evaluated on academic merit, especially those addressing recent innovations in transfusion medicine.
Dr. Hiba Saud Alhumaidan, Consultant in Pathology and Transfusion Medicine at ‘Dubai Health,’ stated that the event is a unique opportunity for exchanging expertise and establishing scientific partnerships between global specialists in transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. She noted the conference’s aim to strengthen collaboration between clinical and research centers, disseminate knowledge, and improve practices in transfusion medicine and cellular therapies.
Dr. Hiba also addressed the conference’s focus on new technologies for managing complications following bone marrow transplantation, particularly Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD), with the goal of improving post-transplant outcomes. She emphasized the promising future of in vivo gene therapy and the role of AI-driven solutions in enhancing laboratory performance, ultimately elevating transfusion medicine practices.