5th MENA Congress for Rare Diseases 2026

Start:

Thu, 9 Apr 2026, 09:00

End:

Sat, 11 Apr 2026, 05:00

Website:

https://iii.hm/menacongress2026

Venue:

Exhibit

Symposia

Workshops

Organiser

Sponsor

The 5th MENA Congress for Rare Diseases 2026 will take place from 9 to 11 April 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This landmark meeting is the largest regional event dedicated to rare diseases and proving most comprehensive coverage for these conditions with more than 100 expert speakers discussing various topics related to rare diseases including updates on diagnostics and novel therapies, research and innovation, artificial intelligence, rare ophthalmologic disorders, bone disorders, immune and blood diseases, Angelman syndrome, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Huntington disease, neurodivergence, dental care, nutritional support, rehabilitation, gene and cell therapy, genetic counseling, health economics, insurance coverage, media awareness, education, psychosocial support, inclusion and diversity, success stories, and patients' advocacy. It is a unique platform that brings everyone involved in rare diseases to one place to obtain the most updated knowledge, exchange experience, advance research, establish networks, and explore new horizons and collaborative opportunities aiming ultimately to provide better care for individuals with rare diseases. For more information and registration, please visit our website: https://www.menarare.com/

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09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Main Track: Al Thuraya A&B

Opening Session: Rare Diseases - Challenging and Opportunities

Chairperson: Prof. Ayman El-Hattab

Director and Consultant Clinical Genetics, Genetics and Rare Disease Center, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE

09:00 AM - 09:20 AM

Genetics heterogeneity and pleiotropy in rare diseases

Prof. Maha Zaki

Professor, Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt

09:20 AM - 09:40 AM

From the world health assembly resolution to action: accelerating rare disease progress in the MENA region

Dr. Alexandera Hamber

Chief Executive Officer, Rare Diseases International, Geneva, Switzerland

09:40 AM - 10:00 AM

TBA

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Opening Ceremony

Main Track: Al Thuraya A&B

Opening Ceremony and Award Distribution

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM — COFFEE BREAK

11:30 AM - 01:30 PM

Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya B

1st MENA Summit for Health Economics in Rare Diseases

Chairperson: Dr. Nuriya Musina

Executive Director, CIS Orphan Consortium, and Associate Professor, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia

11:30 AM - 11:50 AM

Value-based pricing and managed entry agreements for orphan and advanced therapies

Dr. Nuriya Musina

Executive Director, CIS Orphan Consortium, and Associate Professor, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia

11:50 AM - 12:10 AM

Moving forward for value based healthcare : focus on rare disease domain

Dr. Mohammed Yousuf

Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE

12:10 PM - 12:30 PM

Leveraging digital health and data platforms for rare diseases in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Dr. Osama El Hassan

Chair of the International Digital Health Workforce Development Collaborative (ZIMAM), Dubai, UAE

12:30 PM - 12:50 PM

Advancing health economics for rare diseases: insights from the UAE and Dubai ecosystem

TBA

12:50 PM - 01:10 PM

From rarity to priority: advancing rare disease policy and access pathways in the MENA region

TBA

01:10 PM - 01:30 PM

TBA

11:30 AM - 01:30 AM

Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya A

2nd MENA Summit for Gene and Cell Therapy

Chairperson: Prof. Khaled Musallam

Group Chief Research Officer, Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

11:30 AM - 11:50 AM

Empowering tomorrow: the UAE’s journey in rare disease genomics

Dr. Mohamed Abu Haleeqa

Consultant Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant and Chair of Academic Affairs Department, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center and Yas Clinic Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, UAE

11:50 AM - 12:10 PM

Implementing gene therapy for hemoglobinopathies in the UAE

Dr. Nameer Al-Saadawi

Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Clinical Director of Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE

12:10 PM - 12:30 PM

Turning genes into hope: UAE’s leadership in neuromuscular innovation

Dr. Arif M. Khan

Founder and CEO, Neuropedia Children’s Neuroscience Center, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, Dubai, UAE

12:30 PM - 12:50 PM

Cord blood in the era of gene and cell therapy: a scalable platform for advanced therapeutic innovation

Dr. Hatim Sidahmed

Director, Cord blood Bank, Abu Dhabi Biobank, Abu Dhabi, UAE

12:50 PM - 01:10 PM

Transitional research for hepatic regeneration

TBA

02:00 PM - 03:30 PM

Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya A

2nd MENA Summit for Neurodivergence

Chairperson: Dr. Nazma Sheikh

Founder and CEO, Starwalkers Clinic, Dubai, UAE

02:00 PM - 02:20 PM

A multi-omics investigation of the gut–brain axis in inattentive-type attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Dr. Carmina Stroia

PhD Researcher in Nutrigenetics and Precision Nutrition Specialist, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania

02:20 PM - 02:40 PM

Beyond behaviour understanding of neurodivergent individual’s needs

Mrs. Karen Kehdi

Neurodiversity Advocate, Writer, Community Engagement Specialist, and Special Education Consultant, Dubai, UAE

02:40 PM - 03:00 PM

A holistic understanding: the missing link in supporting neurodivergence

Dr. Shija Sapru

Neuroinclusion Consultant, Dubai, UAE

03:00 PM - 03:20 PM

The double empathy problem in cross-cultural clinical practice: understanding autistic–non-autistic misstatement and its mental health impact

Dr. Dan Sheppard

Clinical Psychologist, Psychology and Therapy Centre, Dubai, UAE

03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

Satellite Symposium: Al Thuraya A

2nd MENA Summit for Inclusion and Diversity

Chairperson: Dr. Renate Richter

Executive Director, FiA Institute for Inclusion and Accessibility, Abu Dhabi, UAE

08:30 AM - 04:30 PM

Training Session: Al Thuraya C

Unified Healthcare Training

Chairperson: Mrs. Areen Abuhejleh

Head of Health Programs, Special Olympics UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE

09:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Unified healthcare training: advancing compassionate and inclusive healthcare for people of determination

Mrs. Areen Abuhejleh

Head of Health Programs, Special Olympics UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Mr. Wael Al Awabdeh

Behavior Analyst, Special Olympics UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ms. Farah Masoud

Speech Therapist and Inclusion Trainer, Special Olympics UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE

04:30 PM - 05:30 PM — DINNER

05:30 PM - 06:30 PM

Workshop: Al Thuraya C

Understanding Autism Beyond The Diagnosis: A Journey Through Care, Challenges, and Hope

05:30 PM - 05:45 PM

Our journey with Hamza

Ms. Rania Abdelaziz

Speech and Language Specialist and Advanced DIRFloortime® Provider, Co-founder of Etwasel Center, and Co-founder of Socks Cafe for people of determination, Cairo, Egypt

05:45 PM - 06:00 PM

Raising Saif: from childhood to adulthood

Mrs. Mai El Dahan

Media Specialist in Radio and Digital Media, Founder of the Autism Diaries Social Media Platform, and Co-founder and Host of the Ana Huna Podcast, Cairo, Egypt

06:00 PM - 06:15 PM

Therapeutic pathways for growth and independence

Ms. Layan Jumma

Occupational Therapist and Co-Founder, Etwasel Centre, Cairo, Egypt

06:15 PM - 06:30 PM

Discussion/ Questions and answers

Ms. Layan Jumma

Occupational Therapist and Co-Founder, Etwasel Centre, Cairo, Egypt

Ms. Rania Abdelaziz

Speech and Language Specialist and Advanced DIRFloortime® Provider, Co-founder of Etwasel Center, and Co-founder of Socks Cafe for people of determination, Cairo, Egypt

Mrs. Mai El Dahan

Media Specialist in Radio and Digital Media, Founder of the Autism Diaries Social Media Platform, and Co-founder and Host of the Ana Huna Podcast, Cairo, Egypt