The second biennial Rare Diseases Conference (RareX 2018) will take place from 13 to 16 September 2018 at The Canvas Riversands in Fourways, Gauteng. The theme of the conference is “Advocating for Patient-Centred Healthcare”. The purpose of the conference is to provide a forum for rare disease patients, doctors, and stakeholders to connect and collaborate, and to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on rare diseases and their treatment.
RareX 2018 brings together South African, African, and international rare diseases communities, as well as policymakers and government agencies responsible for matters related to healthcare and health insurance. Stakeholders delivering essential services to the rare diseases community such as disease-specific drug manufacturers and makers of health-related consumables also attend.
An important part of the conference community is the patient support groups that attend. While disease- or condition-specific, support groups share missions and objectives and can learn from each other’s outreach techniques and fundraising methods and see how other groups serve their communities’ needs.
Via panel discussions, presentations, and networking, the conference presents a comprehensive dialogue which provides insightful guidance to the rare diseases community. In addition to the technical programme of presentations and panels, the conference offers a social programme of a Welcome Networking Function and Rare Diamond Awards Dinner.
The Rare Diseases Conference provides patients, families, and stakeholders with a professional and structured yet caring and inclusive environment in which to learn and network.
