NRC returns for fifth consecutive year to raise awareness of addiction risks and share expertise in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 2026: The National Rehabilitation Center (NRC) will participate as a Strategic Partner and Diamond Sponsor in the 5th Al Dhafra Hospitals Health Forum 2026 as part of its ongoing efforts to raise community awareness of addiction risks, promote prevention and strengthen the exchange of expertise with healthcare institutions.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, the forum will take place from 4 to 6 November 2026 at Baynouna Educational Complex in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra Region. Bringing together healthcare experts, institutions and representatives from government and the private sector, the forum provides a platform to exchange expertise and strengthen partnerships, with a focus on integrated healthcare services, mental health and quality of care.
Commenting on the NRC’s participation, Yousef Altheeb Alketbi, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rehabilitation Center, said, “Our participation in the Al Dhafra Hospitals Health Forum for the fifth consecutive year is an opportunity to help people better understand addiction, prevention and recovery. Awareness must go beyond explaining the risks. Families also need to know when to seek specialised support, where to find it and how they can help a loved one through recovery.”
He added, “The forum also allows us to examine addiction from different clinical perspectives through discussions with fellow healthcare professionals. The value of exchanging expertise lies in how we apply what we learn to develop treatment and rehabilitation services and strengthen the care people receive throughout their recovery.”
At its dedicated exhibition stand, the NRC will introduce visitors to its specialised addiction prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services and programmes, with opportunities to speak directly with specialists about available care. Alongside these discussions, awareness initiatives and educational materials will explain the risks associated with psychoactive substances and the importance of prevention and early intervention, while highlighting how individuals and families can support recovery and adopt healthy, positive lifestyles.
For students attending the forum, Hassan Mahmoud Al Hammadi, representing the National Rehabilitation Center, will deliver a lecture titled “Life Skills” through an interactive theatre session focused on developing essential life skills, promoting positive behaviours and encouraging informed decision-making.
Al Hammadi will also deliver an awareness lecture at the Senior Citizens’ Majlis, addressing ways to protect children from the risks of drug abuse and the role of families in awareness and prevention. The session will introduce the NRC and its treatment and rehabilitation services, helping attendees understand the specialised support available.
At the forum’s accompanying scientific conference, Dr. Mohammed Abdulsamad, Psychiatry Specialist at the National Rehabilitation Center, will deliver a lecture titled “Understanding Addiction Within the Spectrum of Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders: A Transdiagnostic Approach.” Taking place in the main theatre on 4 November 2026, from 4.20pm to 4.40pm, the lecture will examine addiction disorders in relation to impulsive and compulsive behaviours, exploring how comprehensive scientific approaches can deepen clinical understanding and improve specialised treatment practices.
The forum’s accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme will also give the NRC’s medical and specialist teams opportunities to keep pace with the latest medical practices and exchange expertise through scientific lectures and specialised workshops, supporting the continuing professional development that underpins specialised care.
The NRC’s participation in the 5th Al Dhafra Hospitals Health Forum 2026 forms part of its wider community outreach, which includes awareness programmes in schools and universities, public campaigns and participation in community festivals and exhibitions. Working with education providers and government and private sector partners, the Center extends its prevention efforts beyond healthcare settings to reach young people, families and educators in the places where they learn, work and gather.
