H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also highlighted public-private partnerships as a major contributor to the enhanced efficiency of the country’s healthcare sector….reports Asian Lite News
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai today toured the 49th edition of Arab Health, the largest healthcare exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
During the tour, His Highness said that a comprehensive medical system and collaboration between local and federal government entities in the UAE, as also the private sector, have ensured that citizens and residents alike enjoy access to the best healthcare services.
His Highness also highlighted public-private partnerships as a major contributor to the enhanced efficiency of the country’s healthcare sector, bolstering its overall competitiveness and supporting its growth with cutting-edge technologies, advanced facilities and highly qualified personnel. These advancements contribute to the overall well-being of society, ensuring the best of health and quality of life for one and all.
Sheikh Mohammed said that providing best-in-class healthcare services ranks high among the UAE’s development priorities along with the happiness and wellbeing of its people, with these plans serving not only UAE residents but people from all around the region and, indeed, every corner of the world. Arab Health provides an ideal platform to share successful experiences and practices in this regard, His Highness said welcoming exhibitors and attendees who have flocked to Dubai to share ideas and learn about the latest advancements in the medical field.
Being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 29 January until 1 February 2024, the exhibition features over 3,400 exhibitors, more than 40 international pavilions, and over 180 participating countries. Visitors to the event have an incomparable opportunity to network, learn about cutting-edge healthcare technology and new medical insights, and strike up meaningful business connections.
His Highness visited pavilions of Siemens Healthineers, Cleveland Clinic, Canon, and Pure Health where he was briefed about the latest services and products offered by the companies. He also visited the Italian pavilion at the exhibition.
Arab Health 2024 features nine distinct sectors, namely Medical Equipment Devices, Disposables Consumer Goods, Orthopaedics Physiotherapy, Imaging Diagnostics, Healthcare General Services, IT Systems Solutions, Healthcare Infrastructure Assets, Wellness Prevention and Healthcare Transformation.
Arab Health advances healthcare sustainability
The Smart Hospital and Interoperability Zone at Arab Health 2024 began this morning with a high-level panel discussion on environmental sustainability in Middle Eastern healthcare. This pivotal session brought together industry leaders and experts to explore strategies for integrating sustainability into the region’s healthcare systems.
In 2023, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulatory authority for healthcare in the Emirate, set out ambitious healthcare sustainability goals. These objectives aim to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2030 and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. The initiative aims to establish a clear roadmap for sustainable healthcare progress, fostering alignment across the ecosystem.
During the session, Jacqui Rock, Chief Commercial Officer of the National Health Service (NHS) England, said, “It is about working hand in hand with innovative suppliers, and embracing the phenomenal MedTech out there. While the new technology coming out is mind-blowing, we must always ask how this technology will affect sustainability and the greener agenda. This is something in the NHS we are pushing hard for.”
Con McGarry, Senior Consultant, Arcadia Health, said, “How do you demonstrate to people that the actions they are putting in have a visible impact? We should be collecting all the data into a central performance management system to enable meaningful conversations about what we are doing and whether we are doing it correctly and taking the correct actions.”
Richard Cantlay, Global Healthcare Leader, Mott MacDonald, stated, “This is a cycle that needs to be broken. When you stand back and think about the narrative, which is that health systems are leading to climate change, which is giving people poor health, which is, in turn, increasing demand – it is obvious that healthcare systems need to deal with the issue of sustainability.”
The organisers of Arab Health, Informa Markets, have made several additions to the exhibition to make it more sustainable, including utilising renewable electricity, notably decreasing the event’s carbon footprint. Additionally, a range of eco-friendly practices have been introduced, such as endorsing public transportation through marketing channels and implementing digital solutions like digital badges and paperless registration to minimise material waste. The introduction of the Better Stands programme has further incentivised exhibitors and partners to embrace reusable stand structures.
Arab Health 2024, which continues until Thursday 1st February 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will showcase groundbreaking technologies at the Smart Hospital and Interoperability Zone, offering immersive demonstrations highlighting the seamless integration of cutting-edge medical equipment and various technologies. Partnering with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the Zone features four demonstration rooms spotlighting advancements in labour and delivery, intensive care, and more.
Among the innovative exhibitors at the Zone is e4life, a joint venture between Italian ELT Group and Australian Lendlease, showcasing a device that protects against respiratory viruses with over 90 percent efficacy by instantly sanitising the surrounding area. Additionally, CareCloud is showcasing a therapy solutions suite that streamlines the entire therapy workflow, enhancing patient engagement and boosting operational efficiency.
Arab Health 2024 anticipates a global audience with over 3,450 exhibitors and over 110,000 healthcare professional visitors from 180 countries.
The event is supported by various government entities, including the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Government of Dubai, the Dubai Health Authority, the Department of Health, and the Dubai Healthcare City Authority.