Dubai, UAE - 11 June 2002 (PRN): The General Secretariat of the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences expresses its appreciation and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the patron of the Award, on his noble initiative in establishing the award. The Chairman & the Members of the Board of Trustees of this foundation are pleased to announce the final activities of the Second Hamdan Awards for Medical Sciences and the 2nd Dubai International Conference for Medical Sciences. The press conference was held in Crown Plaza Hotel, Dubai on June 8, 2002, and the meeting was presided by the Minister of Health, Mr.Hamad Abdulrahman Al Midfaa, Chairman, Board of Trustees. In his welcome speech, his Excellency expressed his appreciation to all who attended the press conference and also welcomed Mr.Quasem Sultan Al Banna as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Dr.Najib Al Khaja, Secretary General of the foundation also expressed his thanks & appreciation to H.H.Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, patron of the awards. In his speech, he added that this award is yet another landmark in his Highness' life which is filled with tales of good deeds. He also expressed his appreciation for His Excellency Hamad Abdulrahman Al Midfaa, Chairman, and the members of the Board of Trustees for their constant support to the General Secretariat. Dr. Najib in his speech, reviewed the inaugural award activities and the successes it achieved. The foundation participated in the meetings of the Council of Arab Ministers of Health held at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo, Egypt. He also reviewed the foundation's participation in various scientific events (conferences, seminars, lectures, medical exhibitions, and research and educational activities). The foundation maintained scientific & academic cooperation with several universities & medical schools inside the UAE and abroad.

The announcement of the activities is as follows:

The Award Presentation Ceremony will be held on October 21, 2002, followed by the Conference from 22 to 24 October, 2002, in Dubai, wherein the winners and other eminent speakers would present state of the art lectures on the following selected subjects:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology (infertility)
• Gene Therapy of Inherited Disorders
• Pathogenesis and Therapy of Autoimmune Disorders
• Apoptosis in Disease and Health

The General Secretariat is pleased to announce that it has received nominations from excellent candidates for the awards of 2001-2002. The winners will be announced in a press conference during September 2002.

An online registration form is available on the website http://www.hmaward.org.ae for those who are interested to attend the above conference and the registration is free of charge.

For more information, contact:

The General Secretariat
P.O.Box: 22252
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +971 4 227-5888