Dubai: The second Gulf Liver Summit 2015 being held in Dubai sets the stage for liver transplants in the UAE in the near future.

The two-day summit also assumes importance in the light of direct acting anti viral agents being used in the treatment of Hepatitis C.

The summit that began yesterday is being attended by gastroenterologists and liver disease experts from around the world and is being held in collaboration with the Houston Methodist Hospital, US.

The prospect of liver transplants was a possibility expressed by Rajaa Al Gurg, deputy chairperson of Dubai Health Care City during her address at the opening ceremony.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, extended her patronage to the summit.

In his welcome speech, Dr Adnan Abu Hammour, chairman of the summit and head of the Abu Hammour Medical Centre, chief organisers of the conference, said the summit was a forum where global experts would together try and curb the epidemic of obesity which is a leading cause of liver morbidity and mortality.

In the two days, experts will deliberate on various aspects of liver disease such as viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, fatty liver, fibrosis, metabolic liver diseases, among others with their treatment protocols quoting a body of research outcomes from real life treatments and clinical trials.

The experts will also discuss topics such as partial liver grafting, liver transplants and the impact of immunosuppressants.

The conference has been organised by the Abu Hammour Medical Centre (AMC) in DHCC Dubai Healthcare City in collaboration with Henri Mondor Hospital, Paris Est Creteil University.

Dr Hammour also thanked collaborators from the Henri Mondor Hospital, Paris EST Creteil University and other participants from the European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association and other leading experts in gastroenterology and hepatology from GCC countries, the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Kazhakastan and India for their contribution to the summit.