Taking place in Melbourne, Australia, over 54 participating countries partook in the last edition of International Federation of Emergency Medicine (IFEM) elections which have resulted in the appointment of Dr. Saleh Fares Al Ali as President-Elect. Dr. Al Ali is the Executive Director of Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and has a vast experience in Emergency Medicine, Disaster Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Saleh will work closely with IFEM board and other renowned international health organisations to advance the global emergency medical care in addition to sharing the Emirati healthcare experience to contribute to a universal emergency quality service worldwide.
Granted a seat in the IFEM Executive Board, Dr. Saleh is the first Arab to ever fulfill this position representing the UAE as the IFEM President-Elect outside the founding countries which include Canada, USA, UK and Australia. Dr. Saleh will support the board in establishing a mechanism for collaboration on issues relating to international emergency medicine and the advancement of the global the healthcare sector. Furthermore, Dr. Saleh will support in achieving the IFEM’s vision: a world where all people, in all countries, have access to high quality emergency medical care.
During his two-year term as a President-Elect, which will be followed by another two-year term as a President, Dr. Saleh will work closely with the IFEM Executive Board to further solidify the emergency medicine infrastructure through expanding educational opportunities in the field and working closely with academic institutions to further develop Emergency Medicine world-wide. The IFEM’s strong network and reputable position provides it with unique insight and reach into health systems globally with the ability to rapidly harness expertise and draw global experts together to overcome emergency medical care challenges.
Commenting on the occasion, HE Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Once again, Abu Dhabi has proved its invaluable national capabilities across the healthcare sector and beyond due to the endless support we continuously receive from the UAE’s wise leadership. This is a proud moment for us to have a member of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi elected as President-Elect of a renowned organisation such as the International Federation of Emergency Medicine. This is a testament to Dr. Saleh Al Ali’s restless efforts in advancing the field of emergency medicine in Abu Dhabi and the world. He’s been a valuable member at the Department and has massively contributed to its strategic initiatives that strengthen the Emirate’s position as a pioneering healthcare destination globally.”
He added: “While battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Saleh devoted all his learnings and decades of experience to support the Department in finding innovative solutions and bringing advanced treatments to Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Since its establishment, the Department has been committed to advancing the global healthcare sector across its different fields through dedicating its resources and knowledge for the benefit of the global community. We congratulate Dr. Saleh Al Ali and wish him a very successful journey with the IFEM.”
Dr. Saleh Al Ali, Executive Director of Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response at Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Firstly, I wish to dedicate this achievement to the UAE’s wise leadership that have paved our way to success and equipped us with the means to complete such outstanding milestone. Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude for the International Federation of Emergency Medicine and all member countries for trusting me with this noble election. Emergency medicine is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of all nations – the need for a robust emergency care systems is needed more than ever before.”
He added: “I am truly humbled to have been granted the opportunity to work along an esteemed group of international Emergency Medicine leaders for the benefit of the global community. I look forward to working with the board on growing the emergency medicine field and recognising it as the most-effective public health intervention.”
Dr. Saleh Fares Al-Ali is Consultant of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine Services (EMS) and Disaster Medicine. He currently is the Executive Director of Center of Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Al Ali completed the Canadian Board in Emergency Medicine residency at McGill University in Canada, followed by Prehospital Care fellowship at the University of Toronto and a Disaster Medicine Fellowship from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He recently obtained his Doctorate of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University with a focus on Health Care Management and Leadership. He is the founder and immediate part president of the Emirates Society of Emergency Medicine.
The International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) is a global membership-based organisation promoting high quality emergency medical care for all people. It consists of the official Emergency Medicine societies in the members countries and it’s the largest non-for-profit Emergency Medicine organisation in the world and based in Australia. Its purpose is to promote access to, and lead the development of, the highest quality of emergency medical care for all people across the world. IFEM is committed to achieving universal access to high quality emergency medical care, through education and standards, supporting growth of the specialty of emergency medicine in every country, and strong advocacy with governments, global health organisations and communities.
