GULF CONFERENCE

Arabian Gulf Christian Medical Forum

Al Ain, UAE, 5-8 December 2025

An international conference to bring together Christian doctors and dentists from countries in the Arabian Gulf and beyond for encouragement, training and fellowship.

Dr Chris SteynPresident of Healthcare Christian Fellowship International (HCFI) and is passionate about integrating faith, prayer and holistic healthcare, advocating transformation through compassionate service in global health ministries.

Dr Ehab AyoubICMDA Regional Secretary for the Middle East & North Africa. Ehab is head of internal medicine, ICU and the endoscopy unit of Harpur Memorial Hospital, Egypt.

Dr Peter SaundersCEO of the International Christian Medical & Dental Association (ICMDA). A general surgeon from New Zealand, his current work involves leadership training, teaching ethics, medical missions, writing, editing and media work.

Dr Richard BrambleRichard is the Managing Director of Kanad Hospital in Al Ain. He is a graduate of Cambridge University and worked as a doctor for a charity in Yemen for seven years, serving marginalized people, before working in various roles in healthcare management.

OVERVIEW VENUE PROGRAMME SPECIALIST STREAMS PLENARY TALKS SEMINARS COST TRAVEL

OVERVIEW

The inaugural Arabian Gulf Christian Medical Forum brings together Christian health professionals for four days of inspirational teaching, fellowship and professional development.

Set in the the Gulf Tourism Capital of 2025, the oasis city of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, is a beautiful, welcoming and refreshing garden city.

The event includes a range of plenary and breakout sessions focusing on issues relevant to Christian health professionals including bioethics, whole person medicine, integrating faith and practice and healthcare mission.

VENUE

PROGRAMME

The conference will begin with dinner on Friday 5 December and will end with lunch on Monday 8 December allowing attendees to travel in on Friday morning and depart on Monday afternoon and evening.

There will be daily devotions along with 3 evening and 3 morning plenary addresses and a closing plenary/worship service. Attendees will get to choose one of 5 specialist streams which will run during the mornings and will have a choice of seminars in 4 seminar slots during the afternoons. There will also be a tour of the city and a visit to the Kanad Hospital, the largest Christian hospital in the Gulf.

SPECIALIST STREAMS

Each attendee will join a Stream for the conference mornings which will focus on one theme and include teaching, training and resources that addresses the Stream's specialist focus.

Attendees may only participate in one Stream during the conference, however, they may attend any of the afternoon seminars which cover topics from all Stream facilitators and speakers.

Stream options:

Conversations with Patients
Led by Hedwin Kadrianto and Lucy Maasarani
Christian Medical Foundations
Led by Peter Saunders and Ella Metry
Building Relationships with Local Friends
Led by Emil Shehadeh and Mark Pickering
Growing in Christian Discipleship
Led by Chris Steyn and Nurgul Mamyrova
Christian Bioethics
Led by Hannes Steinberg

PLENARY TALKS

We are pleased to welcome world-class speakers to share at the Christian Medical Forum.

Our role as Christian healthcare workers - Peter Saunders
Integrating Faith, Prayer and Holistic Practice - Chris Steyn
The Ministry of ICMDA in MENA and Globally - Ehab Ayoub & Peter Saunders
Starting and Growing a National CMDA - Hedwin Kadrianto
The Ministry of Kanad Hospital - Richard Bramble & Scott Kennedy
Country Reports - Jordan/UAE/Kuwait/Israel/Oman
Closing Testimonies and Devotion - All & Vijay Aruldas

SEMINARS

Attendees are able to choose to attend four different seminars during the forum. Click here to see more information on each seminar topic.

Slot	Seminar Topic	Speaker
1	Building Relationships with Locals	Emil Shehadeh & Mark Pickering
2	Conversations with Patients	Lucy Maasarani
3	Growing as a Disciple of Christ	Chris Steyn & Nurgul Mamyrova
1	ICMDA Training Opportunities	Hedwin Kadrianto
4	Integrating into Gulf Society and Culture	Richard Bramble
2	Building Bridges with Healthcare Leaders	Howard Lyons
2	Healthcare Mission in the Middle East	Ehab Ayoub
3	Healthcare Management	Vijay Aruldas
4	Clinical Leadership	Daniel Ojuka
4	Serving the Victims of War in Ukraine	Herng-Der Chern
1	Whole-Person Family Medicine	Hannes Steinberg
4	The Divine Drama – Bible Overview	Peter Saunders
3	Sacred Leadership in Healthcare	Mike Chupp
3	Alcohol and Drug Addiction	Alan Gijsbers

COST

Full Conference Package: USD $350
Includes conference admission, 3 nights 5-star accommodation (shared twin room), 3 meals a day, refreshments, tour of Al Ain and Kanad Hospital

Full Conference Package (single room supplement): USD $490
Includes conference admission, 3 nights 5-star accommodation (single room), 3 meals a day, refreshments, tour of Al Ain and Kanad Hospital

Conference Only (no accommodation): USD $190
Includes conference admission, 2 meals a day, refreshments, tour of Al Ain and Kanad Hospital

A limited number of bursaries may be available to assist those with financial difficulties to attend the forum. Please get in touch with the ICMDA office to find out more.

Register now to secure your place.

Terms & Conditions apply

TRAVEL

The conference is held in Al Ain, UAE which has good international connections for air travel. The venue is 85 minutes by car from Dubai International Airport, or 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Attendees are able to join an airport shuttle at a cost of $40 (one-way) or $80 (return). The shuttle will depart from Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports on Friday afternoon. The return shuttle will depart the hotel on Monday straight after lunch. Please make your selection when registering.

If you require travel to or from an airport outside of these times you will have to make your own arrangements.