Key Milestones

Over the past decade, ESEM has achieved numerous milestones. In December 2014, ESEM brought together a group of local emergency physicians with specialized training in emergency ultrasound, establishing the emergency ultrasound committee, a key step in ESEM’s mission to maintain the highest practice standards and promote professional growth in emergency medicine within the UAE. Further, in 2015, ESEM proudly won the bid to host the International Conference on Emergency Medicine (ICEM 2021). In May 2018, ESEM was hailed as one of the most active societies within Emirates Medical Association and had the opportunity to attend the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain to examine the medical aspects of managing such a major event.

In terms of collaborations, ESEM joined forces with the Emirates Cardiac Society (ECS), Emirates Anaesthesia Society (EAS), Emirates Society of Neurological Surgeons (ESNS), and the Emirates Critical Care Society (ECCS) to establish the Emirates Resuscitation Council (ERC). Further highlights included participating in setting a new Guinness World Record with the CPR Relay in Dubai in 2019, joining Medutopia in their efforts to modernize medical education, and winning the bid to host the Asian Conference on Emergency Medicine (ACEM) 2025 in Dubai.

ESEM continues to further emergency medicine in the region through annual outreach activities, extending its influence beyond the major hubs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Of particular note was ESEM’s role in helping the UAE become the first Arab nation to pass a “good samaritan law,” by the approval of the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. ESEM also initiated the establishment of the Emirates Collaboration for Residents in Emergency Medicine (ECREM), a non-profit organization devoted to advancing emergency medicine training among resident doctors in the UAE. Lastly, the launch of the International Federation of Emergency Medicine leadership and advocacy skills development program marks a collaboration between ESEM and IFEM, and exemplifies ESEM’s dedication to promoting innovative medical practices.

Launched in 2013, the bi-annual newsletter from ESEM marked a significant stride in promoting the field of emergency medicine in the Middle East. Designed and curated by a dedicated team of nine committee members, the newsletter met with a positive reception, showcasing notable national and international advancements in emergency medicine. Given the success of the bi-annual format, it was evident that there was an appetite for more regular updates. Consequently, in March 2018, ESEM initiated a monthly edition of the newsletter. Within just 10 months of its introduction, the monthly newsletter has captivated an extensive readership that stretches across over 20 countries worldwide, including the likes of the US, UAE, UK, Australia, Canada, Pakistan, and India.