Speaker Details

Prof Abdallah Daar

Biography

Dr. Abdallah Daar is Professor of Public Health Sciences and of Surgery at the University of Toronto. He is also Senior Scientist at the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre Program on Life Sciences and Global Health, University Health Network.After medical school in London, England, he did his postgraduate clinical training in surgery and in internal medicine as well as a doctorate in transplant immunology/immunogenetics, and a fellowship in transplantation at the University of Oxford. In the Middle East he helped start two medical schools and chaired the foundation of Surgery in Oman for a decade before moving to the University of Toronto in 2001. He has co-authored five books and has over 300 publications. He works in consulting capacities with the UN, the World Health Organization and UNESCO, and is a member of the African Union High Level Panel on Modern Biotechnology. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Third World Academy of Sciences for Developing World, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the New York Academy of Sciences and a Senior Fellow of Massey College, University of Toronto. He is a member of the Ethics Committee of the Human Genome Organization. He holds the official world record for performing the youngest cadaveric donor kidney transplant. Please visit www.mrcglobal.org for his full biography and CV

Abstract

Grand Challenges In Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases- Priorities For Developing Countries

Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs- which include heart disease, stroke, some cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and type 2 diabetes) are increasing rapidly throughout the world and are reaching epidemic proportions in many countries. They account for 60 % of all deaths (and 44% of premature deaths) worldwide. 80 % of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries. The number of deaths is double that from infectious diseases (including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria), maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies combined. The risk factors include tobacco use, decreasing physical activity and increasing consumption of unhealthy foods. They exact a huge economic toll. These CNCDs can largely be prevented, yet they have been neglected, particularly in developing countries. Without concerted action, some 388 million people will die of one or more CNCD in the next 10 years. With concerted action, we can avert at least 36 million deaths by 2015. I will report on our work published in Nature (see below) in November 2007 that used the Delphi method and a global panel of experts to identify 6 goals, 20 Grand Challenges for both science and policy, and 39 research questions that need to be addressed to solve the Grand Challenges. I will also highlight the newly established Grand Challenges Global Partnership and its work. Daar AS, Singer PA, Persad D, et al. Grand Challenges in Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases. Nature. November 2007. Vol 450, pp. 494-496

Lessons from Health Biotechnology Innovation Systems of Emerging Economies

Over the past few years we have undertaken a number of major studies of health biotechnology innovation systems, starting at national levels in Cuba, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, India, China (and South Korea for comparison). More recently we have been studying the role of the private sector in China, India, Brazil and other emerging economies. From these and other studies empirical case studies we have been able to draw some important lessons, good practices, and recommendations. I will highlight those that are of potential value to the Arab Region.