A Model Rooted in Education and Patient-Centred Care
At the heart of IIWCG’s work lies a robust educational strategy. Developed in collaboration with the University of Toronto’s International Inter-professional Wound Care Course (IIWCC), the association delivers a comprehensive, one-year diploma programme across the MENA region. The goal is to unify practice by ensuring all healthcare professionals speak the same “clinical language”, whether they are nurses, physicians, or allied health professionals.
“The course treats wound care not as a singular skill but as an integrated discipline,” explains Gulnaz Tariq, CEO of IIWCG and Past President of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS).
Structured in modules that include socio-economic determinants of health, psychosocial assessment, and the physiological underpinnings of chronic wounds, the programme has certified over 715 professionals to date. More than 375 regional projects have been implemented by graduates, transforming local clinical practice and driving up patient outcomes.
IIWCG promotes a treatment model where “you treat the whole patient, not just the hole in the patient.” Their approach is deeply interprofessional involving vascular surgeons, endocrinologists, psychosocial therapists, and nutritionists, all collaborating to address the underlying causes and wider context of wound-related conditions.This multidisciplinary framework has proven particularly relevant in the MENA region, where non-communicable diseases such as diabetes are prevalent. IIWCC’s curriculum encourages early detection, comprehensive management, and referral to appropriate specialists – practices that help reduce complications and cut long-term healthcare costs.
From Abu Dhabi to the World
As the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) welcomes the growing presence of specialised associations like IIWCG, whose work aligns with the Emirate’s vision to be a pioneering healthcare destination globally. As part of its mandate to build one of the world’s smartest health systems, DoH continues to shape a forward-looking healthcare ecosystem by advancing medical education, driving research and innovation in life sciences, and enabling global collaboration to elevate care quality to communities in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Education at IIWCG is not confined to the classroom. Each year, the association convenes healthcare professionals at its Abu Dhabi Wound Care Conference, now in its 16th edition. With 1,600 to 2,000 in-person delegates and support from over 20 international associations, the event is the largest of its kind in the region. It serves as a platform for knowledge transfer, policy influence, and professional networking.
Notably, IIWCG also hosted the World Union Wound Healing Congress in 2020 – a milestone that brought 4,000 delegates onsite and another 10,000 online, with support from the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau and ADNEC. These events are designed to be non-commercial, ensuring an unbiased scientific agenda and reinforcing the association’s credibility in the region. “Our aim is to build trust through content, not commerce,” notes Tariq. “We collaborate with convention bureaus to ensure the event experience reflects that same ethos.”
A critical part of IIWCG’s operational success lies in its long-standing relationship with the same local professional congress organiser (PCO), which has managed its logistics, digital presence and delegate communications for the past four years. “This continuity has allowed us to maintain the integrity of our database, the stability of our website, and the efficiency of our communication,” Tariq says. “It’s about trust, not just transactions.”
The association also allocates a portion of event profits to fund scholarships, providing an estimated 1 million AED worth of free or subsidised seats to healthcare workers from developing countries, a core part of its vision to democratise access to high-quality education.
With regional momentum building, IIWCG is embarking on a rotational event model, planning to alternate its annual conferences between Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. This attempt is possible through strategic diplomacy, supported by local convention bureaus and ministries of health. “In each country, we’re building bridges with public authorities and aligning our vision with national health goals,” Tariq explains.
The rotation is not just a logistical shift, but a step towards greater regional inclusivity, allowing different healthcare ecosystems to benefit from IIWCG’s content and network. Convention bureaus are important in this expansion, not only as sponsors but as facilitators, connecting IIWCG to the right academic institutions and regulatory bodies in each location.
Redefining the Role of Associations in the UAE
IIWCG’s success also reflects a broader opportunity for associations headquartered in the UAE. While Dubai has long welcomed international associations to register, Gulnaz Tariq encourages Abu Dhabi to follow suit, allowing global chapters to formalise their presence in the capital. “This would help retain associations that already run conferences in Abu Dhabi, and strengthen the city’s international appeal,” she argues.
The potential benefits are numerous – from increasing international delegate flow and bolstering the local knowledge economy, to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s standing as a regional centre for medical innovation.
The International Inter-professional Wound Care Group’s message is one of vision, precision, and collaboration. With a focus on education, evidence, and inclusivity, IIWCG is setting an example for how associations can deliver lasting impact in the region.