Damascus, (SANA)- Under the patronage of Mrs. Asma al-Assad, Fifth Arab Osteoporosis Conference kicked off  Wednesday in Damascus with the participation of more than 300 doctors and experts from different Arab and foreign countries.

 The three-day conference focuses on the latest researches in the basic and clinical osteoporosis and new development in bone cell biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. The conference is organized by the Syrian National Osteoporosis Society in cooperation with the Arab Osteoporosis Society and the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

Minister of Health Rida Said pointed out that osteoporosis has been a main focus over the past two decades for many reasons in light of medical development.

"The Ministry is interested in osteoporosis, supporting the Syrian Association for Combating Osteoporosis and Syrian National Society for Osteoporosis. " the Minister said.

He added that the Ministry worked on passing educational messages via media, underlining the importance of consuming healthy food and doing regular exercises to boost disease prevention, pointing out that the Ministry has provided the medicine needed with suitable prices.

Said underlined necessity of cooperation between national societies, Scientific Associations and Ministry of Health to exert their efforts in order to provide the best services to the citizens. 

  Specialists from England, the USA, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Lebanon, the UAE, Palestine, Jordan, Tunisia and Syria gather to share and discuss latest data on osteoporosis to help increase awareness and promote bone health in the region.

 R. Milhem / Mazen