Early in February the College President, Dr Bernie Croal embarked on a trip to Dubai; his first engagement outside of the UK as President. He was accompanied by the Vice President for Communications, Dr Noha El Sakka, College Fellows Dr Karin Denton and Professor Walid Al-Wali, two Country Advisors for the Middle East and North Africa, and two members of the International Team.

The group travelled to Dubai to represent that College as we returned for a second consecutive year to Medlab Middle East.

The College hosted an exhibition stand and ran a workshop as part of the Medlab progamme.

We also attended a ceremony hosted by Mohammed Bin Rashid University to mark the renewing of a Memorandum of Understanding between our respective organisations. As part of the visit to we were given a tour of some of the laboratories at Mediclinic City Hospital.

Our exhibition stand at Medlab Middle East

The conference brought together 900 plus exhibitors from more than 40 countries, showcasing the latest laboratory innovations and technologies that will pave the way for technological advancements and sustainability in laboratory medicine. This provided an opportunity for the College to meet RCPath members and those with a keen interest in the College including potential international members.

The feedback from stand attendees demonstrated that most visitors to the stand were interested in joining the College. We also received positive feedback about the supporting resources available at the stand, such as the presentation on the screen and handouts.

Speaking on behalf of the College

• On Monday 5 February in the Dubai room of the exhibition hall Dr Bernie Croal delivered the keynote presentation in the Laboratory Management track titled ‘Appropriate utilisation of laboratory testing - strategies to ensure laboratory testing is focused and safe’.
• On Tuesday College Fellow, Professor Walid Al-Wali delivered a talk on Clinical Microbiology track outlining ‘The role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship’,
• In the afternoon College Fellow Dr Karin Denton gave a presentation on the Histopathology track that explored the ‘Developments in cervical screening – is self-sampling the future?’

College Workshop

On the first day of the conference, we ran a workshop chaired by College Vice President for Communications, Dr Noha El Sakka, who also outlined the College’s 2024 communications plan, as well as the different channels the College uses to connect with members and wider followers. This was followed by the College President who shared his aims for his presidency and the international work of the College. Professor Walid Al-Wali also discussed the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance in the Middle East and beyond, which included a short section on the College’s position on AMR. After the presentations, the 50 or so guests had the opportunity to network and put questions to the speakers and members of the International Team.

Renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding

In November 2020 the first Memorandum of Understanding between Mohammed Bin Rashid University (MBRU) Dubai and the College was established. On Wednesday 7 February 2024, the agreement was officially renewed for a further 3 years, following approval of the College Council. The renewal was honoured at a signing ceremony, with the College President and Dr Croal and Provost of MBRU, Professor Al Sheikh-Ali. There were also discussions about what we have been able to achieve together so far and potential future collaborations. The College team including Dr Croal, Dr El Sakka, Professor Ismail Matalka, Clinical Director for International Activities and the College’s International Team were taken on a tour of their impressive teaching facilities, which included laboratories.

After our time at MBRU we went on to be hosted by, Professor Mahir Al Hilali, other Directors and laboratory staff at Mediclinic City Hospital. They shared with us interesting insights into Mediclinic City Hospital, which at the time it opened in 2008 was the first multi-disciplinary hospital in Dubai Healthcare City and continues to operate as a state-of-the-art healthcare facility. We also enjoyed being shown the various laboratories they operate.

Our appreciation

We take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to each and every person who made all of the activities that happened during our time in Dubai possible and more importantly a success, including those who visited our stand at the exhibition. We would also like to thank the teams at MBRU and Mediclinic City Hospital for their kind hospitality.