The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) has announced that His Excellency Dr. Hamad Al Ghafri has been elected as its new President Elect. Dr. Al Ghafri, who is currently the Director General of the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), will hold the position of President Elect for three years, followed by three years as President. Dr. Al Ghafri becomes the first GCC national to hold this position.

The announcement is a significant one as it marks a new chapter for ISAM and its efforts in combatting addiction around the world. It also establishes the NRC and the role it has played in working with the World Health Organization (WHO) in supporting international efforts in combating addictions and providing the best services for prevention and rehabilitation. The support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Council Ministers and Minister of Presidential Affairs of the Center has been instrumental in achieving the goals of combating addiction in the UAE.

The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) was founded in 1998, by an international fellowship of physicians and specialists, with the aim of conducting research and deepening the understanding and broadening the scope of addiction treatment worldwide. The association has close partnerships with a range of international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The association hosts major conferences around the world to collect and exchange important information about addiction and the ways to prevent and treat it.

Cooperation between the National Center for Rehabilitation (NRC) and the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) dates to 2009, when His Excellency Dr. Hamad Al Ghafri hosted a delegation from ISAM to showcase the nature of the NRC’s work and to advice on ways to develop the performance of the Society. Since then, His Excellency has regularly participated with ISAM in their annual conferences where he has presented scientific research on addiction-related topics. The NRC also hosted the nineteenth annual conference of the Society in Abu Dhabi in 2017. It was during this session that His Excellency was nominated and elected as a member of the Board of Directors of ISAM. Today, this cooperation has culminated in Dr. Al Ghafri being elected as President Elect of ISAM.

Commenting on his appointment Dr. Al Ghafri said: "I am honoured that the members of ISAM have chosen me to fulfil this role during the next phase of the society, which will be defined by the obstacles we face related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has not only impacted the global economy but has facilitated the emergence of new addictive behaviours that we have not seen previously. I look forward to working at ISAM and continuing its close cooperation with the NRC.”

 “The NRC has been working closely with ISAM for more than a decade, with a focus on combining clear goals and efforts to diagnose addiction, its behaviours and to develop methods for prevention and treatment. Our focus has always been on sharing important information and enhancing cooperation and coordination between addiction stakeholders around the world.”

Dr. Hamad Al Ghaferi has a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and General Surgery from The University of Jordan’s College of Medicine, a Master’s degree in Public Health from Tulane University, and a PhD in Primary Health Care and Addiction from the College of Medicine at the University of Aberdeen.

Dr. Hamad Al-Ghaferi has held several key positions within local and international organizations and his extensive experience includes working within a range of institutions and local and international committees concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of addiction. From 2010-2012 he chaired the International Consultative Committee consisting of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). He has also led the National Committee for Treatment and Rehabilitation and is a member of the Drug Control Council in the United Arab Emirates.