The UK Healthcare Pavilion – the first virtual platform showcasing the very best of UK Healthcare and Life Sciences – has partnered with The Middle East Medical Portal (MEMP) to both raise awareness and export UK innovation into the Middle East.

Recently launched, the UK Healthcare Pavilion provides news, insights, and interviews from a variety of key opinion leaders and policymakers offering their views on topical subjects in the sector and showcasing the strengths the UK has to offer.

Related: Rapid COVID-19 diagnostic testing in the UK: what has worked

Paul Benton, Managing Director, International, at the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), said: “UK healthcare solutions carry a great reputation in the Middle East, and we are so pleased to be partnering with MEMP to utilise their expertise and network, which will, in turn, bring quality innovations and treatments to patients in the region.”

MEMP is a UK and Dubai based company serving both UK companies and the NHS with market entry/development services, and healthcare providers in the Middle East with world-class importing of innovation and medical education from UK experts and liaising closely with Middle East regulator bodies. MEMP has exceptional market access as it is an International CPD/CME accredited provider of medical education for healthcare professionals.

Related: UK-GCC partnership: Going from strength to strength

Speaking about the partnership Nathan Nagel, CEO, Middle East Medical Portal said: “We are delighted to partner with the UK Healthcare Pavilion and be able to support UK companies to sell into the Middle East, to stimulate the UK economy, and crucially, provide world-class healthcare to patients.”

The UK brand is well respected in the region, presenting an opportunity for UK innovators to support the major drivers in the region, such as ageing populations, increased life expectancy, and sedentary lifestyles that lead to an increase in obesity, cancer and diabetes.

A focus on prevention and well-being, rather than on solely treatment, is leading to opportunities for new models of care and out of hospital services. Saudi Arabia, for example, is on track to implement its new healthcare system encompassing primary care. At the same time, workforce issues – shortages of skilled clinical staff and a heavy reliance on expatriates – is driving demand for technologies including digital health, AI and robotics to provide innovations to bridge the gap. The market for medical technologies in the region is expected to reach US$31.6bn by 2025.

Changing dynamics

For many years countries in the region have relied on sending their citizens overseas for treatment in many specialities. However, such health tourism is decreasing as it is seen as a drain on state funds and a barrier to the region from developing its own healthcare reputation. This change in market dynamics presents an opportunity, not just for companies such as Ltd or PLCs, but for healthcare providers’ organisations.

U.S. healthcare entities picked up on this a while back, and their healthcare providers are already engaged locally. Key players include Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical International, Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic. However, U.S. dominance is decreasing.

All of this underlines the opportunity that exists for UK healthcare providers – both independent and NHS – to leverage their expertise to make in-roads into the market. This might be done through direct provision of care in the region or the supply of services to existing providers.

This presents an attractive export market for the UK’s biggest healthcare company, the NHS.

NHS engagement in overseas revenue-generating projects is a smart way to generate revenue by leveraging its wealth of global expertise and globally respected brand. The government has also been clear that exporting education, infrastructure and healthcare are key areas for improved trade.

Some of the UK healthcare providers recognised the opportunities early, which proved beneficial for London hospitals such as Moorfields Eye Hospital, Great Ormond Street, Imperial College London and King’s College Hospital, as they increase their engagement in the region. The Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai quickly become one of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region’s leading eye care institutions. Its success led to further expansion in the UAE with the opening of Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with United Eastern Medical Services (UEMS), and collaboration with Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital in Dubai, where Moorfields now delivers the paediatric ophthalmology clinical services.

However, the NHS does not have to open a hospital, or even travel to the region to export its expertise, as the internet opens a whole digital channel to provide online education and knowledge sharing. The Middle East Medical Portal is working with NHS experts to provide excellence in online education from UK based healthcare professionals (HCPs) to HCPs across the region via online CME accredited medical education sessions. In addition to medical expertise, there is considerable demand for knowledge of effective management and organisational development recently developed within the NHS to be deployed in other countries.

The key areas for opportunities for the UK across the region include:

• Digital health, high on the agenda of Middle East providers, and opportunities range from telemedicine to solutions that help manage chronic diseases.
• Healthcare education and training, opportunities to support the capacity building in-country as reliance on staff from other countries reduce and healthcare expertise is developed locally, with the UK being seen as a go-to partner for programmes in this area.
• Middle East health providers look to the UK to develop clinical partnerships ranging from consultancy opportunities to hospital management, in relevant areas such as oncology and cardiology.
• Healthcare systems development is another area where UK expertise has been welcomed to support the introduction of new forms of regulation and to improve the effectiveness of healthcare services delivery.
• Solutions that will help support the region’s population in relation to preventive care and healthy ageing are also prominent on the healthcare agenda.

The UK Healthcare Pavilion and the Middle East Medical Portal are delighted to support UK companies and the NHS. The UK Healthcare Pavilion is now live, follow them on Twitter @UK_Pavillion and using the hashtags #ukhealthpav and #DiscoverUKhealthcare. Or follow them on LinkedIn for all the latest articles, updates, news, and insights from across the sector. For more info visit: ukhealthcarepavilion.com

This article appears in the latest issue of Omnia Health Magazine. Read the full issue online today.  

The future of the healthcare industry is dynamically changing in front of our eyes with a range of advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing, robotics and nanotechnology. Although the sector has familiarised itself with the latest developments to control the technology, there is still a long way to go. Since the pandemic, it has become quite evident how technology can potentially play an important role in shaping healthcare facilities, enhancing their quality and embracing the new digital era.

The global healthcare and IT market size was remarked at a value of US$74.2 billion in the year 2020. It is expected to grow at a rate (CAGR) of 10.7 per cent over the next few years. In line with this, there is a tremendous demand for the adoption of various preventive care measures that will contribute to the advancement of the healthcare division. Hence, this piece will explore how technology can play a dominant role in the healthcare industry and allow the amenities to diversify with its support and explores how technology can revolutionise this industry.

Genome sequencing

Related: Patient Talk Podcast: How XACT Robotics is democratising healthcare

The overall human genome project costs approximately a whopping US$2.7 billion which is only expected to rise in the coming years. In 2017, a DNA sequencing company, Illumina had branched out a new machine where the tech giant declared that the whole genome would cost less than US$100. Following the year, the company released a statement saying they are working closely on achieving their target. This means that it wouldn’t be surprising if genetic tests would eventually become as cheap as standard blood tests. With the reliance on technology and digital tools, this niche area has great potential and can act as a viable tool in understanding drug sensitivity, multifactorial or monogenic medical conditions and many others. Such a discovery will only further leverage the advantages of genome sequencing and allow specialists to get more insights into nutrition, genomics and dietetics.

Nanotechnology

We are fast approaching the era of nanomedicine. Perhaps, in the next decade, nanoparticles and nanodevices will soon become popular drug delivery systems and can even play a crucial role in treating cancer. About two years ago, MIT researchers had created an electronic pill that could be controlled wirelessly. It could even relay diagnostic information and release drugs in response to swift smartphone commands. While a lot more testing is necessary for its safe establishment, there is certainly an opportunity to examine such ideas with the aid of technology.

Robotics

Related: Looking beyond the pandemic: Why telemedicine is here to stay

One of the most exciting growing fields of healthcare is robotics. From surgical robots to exoskeletons, there has been a massive development in this area. Many experts regard 2019 as a prominent year for exoskeletons. Europe had revealed their first exoskeleton-driven surgery and a tetraplegic who had the capability of controlling exoskeletons with his brain. There are many other robotic applications, from aided nurses to lift elderly patients to the ones with medical conditions related to their spinal cord. In the coming years, we can see robot companions support patients who suffer from loneliness, mental ailments or even assist with children with chronic diseases. As technology advances, there will be more practical applications of robotics in medicine.

In line with this, Capital University College is offering a Masters in E-Health Management, in partnership with Italy’s Rome Business School. The programme is ranked #89 under Eduniversal Ranking 2021, Best Masters. With an ideal balance in knowledge and practical experience, students will be studying under the patronage of SIT – the Italian Society of Telemedicine that will enhance their skills and competencies to learn, manage, understand and apply advanced techniques in the healthcare industry. This is a unique programme that combines electronic processes and communication strategies, bridging the gap between computer, health and communications and enabling one to become specialists in the health and management sector.

Serving over 20 years of his expertise in the education sector, Dr Batheja is actively involved in developing and structuring postgraduate programmes for healthcare professionals and making them better equipped with profound knowledge and practical experience.

As lockdowns swept the region last year, a host of pressing stress points emerged. Isolation, interrupted routines, expanded work volumes, job uncertainty and financial concerns, all conspired to bring issues of mental health to the fore. But physical health also took a blow, as many struggled to cope.

The idea that mental and physical health are inextricably linked is not new. A change in mood can have a physical underlying cause, such as a hormone or vitamin deficiency; and pain can be a manifestation of stress or anxiety. This is also true for the relationship between chronic long-term illnesses and mental health. Research shows, for example, that someone with diabetes is twice as prone to depression as someone without. And those suffering from depression are around 60 per cent more likely to develop back pain in later life, that those who are not.

Related: From an option to a preference, telehealth is here to stay

Insights commissioned by Aetna International from over 1,000 workers across the UAE in September 2020 showed that 81 per cent were more concerned about their mental health than they had been in previous years, and 88 per cent were now worried about their physical health. With this rising demand, there is an increasing focus on providing holistic care to patients.

The rise of telemedicine

As health concerns escalated, another medical trend swept the UAE. Data from Aetna’s telehealth service, vHealth, showed a 500 per cent increase in the use of the service between March and September of last year, compared with the same period in 2019. The same research revealed a time saving of around three hours – the average period spent away from work when making in-person visits to a medical centre.

Related: Telehealth expands in UAE supported by medical codes created by American Medical Association

But telehealth is not a COVID-19 phenomenon and has been available in the region for a few years — the Dubai Health Authority’s Doctor for Every Citizen, launched in 2019, is just one example of how governments have prioritised telehealth for cost-effective, high-quality medical care. The fact that its launch predates the pandemic shows how the authority viewed telehealth as an important part of primary care provision, independent of public health crises. Initial, convenient consultations reduce the number of wasted visits and cut back on expensive diagnostics and unwarranted medication. In the long run, telehealth makes primary care more effective by addressing patients’ physical and mental needs, where they are and drastically cuts the costs of care along the entire system.

The case for telehealth beyond the pandemic

But leaving aside the obvious impact that COVID-19 has had on the accelerated adoption of telehealth, there are a few drivers that make telehealth a key cog in the primary care model. The first is convenience — across the Middle East, telehealth services afford ready access to experienced doctors and some services, like vHealth, even take it a step forward by combining primary care with concierge-style diagnostics and prescription services, where patient samples are taken, and medicines are delivered to the office or home door. Recent research from Aetna International revealed 54 per cent of UAE expats to be enthusiastic about the use of telehealth services in primary care, even higher than the global average.

Second, telemedicine doctors provide the full range of primary care. They take patient histories, considering the physical and mental effects of a range of afflictions; they use accredited assessment tools to ensure accurate diagnoses of health disorders, and they work with patients to determine the right treatment. This could take many forms. Perhaps self-help techniques and lifestyle changes are sufficient — for example, a sufferer of back pain may be advised to adjust their diet, exercise, and posture in the context of working from home. The treatment plan could also address the implications of comfort eating and sedentary behaviour. Or the patient may require referral to a specialist for further assessment or ongoing support. This is more difficult to achieve if the patient is consulting more than one medical professional in isolation.

Third, over the last year, those living with chronic health conditions have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic restrictions. But things improved for such patients who had access to telehealth. Across the region, those with chronic conditions were able to consult experienced doctors to get ongoing advice about personalised treatment plans and care management, with the option of re-fill medicines delivered to their location.

The gateway to primary care

All the advantages of telemedicine are supplemented by the fact that because the services cost providers less to deliver, they can remind and encourage patient engagement with low cost, or even free, consultations. This, combined with the convenience factor, means people are more likely to consult physicians at the first sign of trouble, leading to more positive treatment outcomes.

Effectiveness, convenience and cost ― to be able to optimise these components for the improvement of our health is a gift we should not overlook. The pandemic reminded us of all of the importance of primary care that sits at the heart of early prevention, appropriate treatment and ongoing care. That telemedicine can be the vehicle for primary care while delivering much-needed holistic solutions is a significant bonus. It is little wonder, therefore, that medical professionals across the region believe telehealth is here to stay.

References available on request

Joe Hawayek

This article appears in the latest issue of Omnia Health Magazine. Read the full issue online today.  

COVID-19 has brought on so many changes and with each change, there are periods of adjustment. Anytime we experience uncertainty, we can feel anxious. COVID-19 and all that ensued from the pandemic has resulted in many people experiencing mental health concerns such as low or anxious mood, engaging in addictive behaviours and having relationship problems. Those with difficulties prior to COVID-19, have been exacerbated by the pandemic and/or difficulties arising due to the adjustments resulting from COVID-19 including work-life balance, being away from family and health anxiety.

Strategies to cope in these uncertain times

Have a rhythm or routine to your days: When everything in the outside world feels uncertain, you want to create a sense of certainty in your life. Routines are the antidote to anxiety because they give you a sense of certainty. So, whether you are working from home or back to life as usual with kids at school and you at work, it will be important to set a routine for your day.

Related: COVID-19 has shifted the focus from mental illness to mental wellness in family medicine

Use the bottom-up approach to mental health: SEE

1. Sleep: If you do not get 7-8 hours of good quality sleep, you are going to have a more activated amygdala, which is the ‘emotion centre’ of the brain and also the part of the brain that is highly active during fight or flight response. In order to ensure proper sleep, set your circadian rhythms to natural sunlight by getting morning sunlight and trying to mimic the bright light and blue light exposure as the day goes into the night. You can do this by having blue light screen protectors on all your devices or blue light blocking glasses. Also make sure to limit your caffeine intake after 11 AM and avoid food three hours before bedtime.

Related: Role of telemedicine in reducing mental health burden

2. Exercise: Research shows that exercise can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and low mood by boosting neurochemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, also known as the happiness and pleasure neurochemicals. Write a prescription to yourself to move 20 mins in the morning sun every day

3. Eat right: You are what you eat. Literally. The gut-brain axis is real and so in order to feel mentally healthy and strong, you need to be eating foods that will promote mental and physical health. Eat natural and unprocessed foods as much as possible and avoid fried and fatty foods.

Take time off technology and be with real people: We can often anaesthetize and self-medicate using technology. Social media or Netflix can keep our mind occupied for hours, however, that type of coping is not helpful or rewarding. Instead, step away from technology and connect with the people in your life. Real and close relationships are the number one indicator of happiness and the biggest mitigator of stress. It is important to consciously and actively invest in your relationships by giving them undivided attention when you are with them.

Highlight the positive moments: As humans, we have a brain that is wired to detect threats and it is ‘Teflon’ for positive events, and ‘Velcro’ for negative events. This means we are more likely to readily remember all the negative things that happened yesterday and will have to make a conscious effort to remember the positive. So, take some time out every day to highlight the positive, while naming the negative. This way you will have a balanced view about your life and your experiences resulting in realistic optimism.

Talk to a professional: If you are struggling, seek support from a professional. You can also attend free, online community support groups or take online workshops.

The mental health implications of the pandemic include:

• Anxiety disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder and generalized
• Anxiety disorder/ panic disorder
• Mood disorders including Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder
• Substance Use Disorders (Alcohol/ nicotine abuse/ prescription medication)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms or Disorder
• Acute Stress Disorder
• Sleep disorders

Other mental health concerns include:

• Loneliness
• Burnout
• Domestic abuse /child abuse
• Relationship problems

Dr Saliha Afridi

This article appears in the latest issue of Omnia Health Magazine. Read the full issue online today.  

Misinformation surrounding COVID-19 is a pressing public health issue. COVID-19 is the first pandemic in history in which technology and social media are being used to keep people informed and safe. However, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by an “infodemic,” or an over-abundance of information, says Matthew Frese, general manager, Med Learning Group.

The excessive amount of information on COVID-19 makes it difficult for the public to distinguish between fact and fiction. This confusion undermines the public’s willingness to follow legitimate public health measures and allows the virus to thrive. Unsubstantiated claims regarding cures, vaccine risks, and face masks have gained significant exposure on the internet and social media.

Related: Fighting "Fake News" in GI

Frese says: “This misinformation may cost lives by promoting the use of fake prevention measures and treatments while discouraging the use of evidence-based measures.”

To tackle misinformation, clinicians and the media should guide the public toward reputable and authorised sources of information on the national and local levels. Information directed at the public should use patient-friendly language and be easily accessible through social media and other virtual platforms.

Related: Improved patient outcomes: Out with old, in with news!

“We also need to improve medical education to ensure that physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team are provided with updated and evidence-based scientific advice on vaccines and treatments,” he highlights. “This will allow them to answer patient questions better and dispel common myths within the community.”

Managing the infodemic is a critical part of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, and this is where technology can play a crucial role, according to Frese. Technology plays an essential role in increasing patients’ knowledge about risk factors and treatment options while facilitating collaboration and communication with providers. Moreover, patients’ active use of social media and digital educational resources can improve access to care, facilitate screening programmes, enhance patient education and adherence, and increase clinical decision-making engagement. Technology also plays a vital role in connecting clinicians worldwide so that best practices can be shared promptly and effectively. The ability to quickly disseminate accurate information is also crucial in a rapidly evolving pandemic. 

Matthew Frese

To ensure this connectivity, Continuing Medical Education industry has created FRONTLINE, a resource platform designed to keep doctors and the community informed about the latest updates, guidelines, trends and resources related to the coronavirus.

Frese shares: “COVID Frontline is a comprehensive and up-to-date resource centre that helps clinicians and patients stay informed of the latest developments in the management of COVID-19. The website contains innovative tools to help clinicians learn about emerging therapies and best practices to improve patient outcomes, such as an interactive dashboard of clinical trials, animations on the mechanism of action of novel vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, and infographic highlights of emerging clinical trial data.

The platform contains predictors of disease severity, pathophysiology, symptoms, treatments, vaccines, and information on how COVID-19 affects the health professionals and their capacity to care for existing patients. It also provides information on the latest approved treatments.

“The platform offers current and patient-friendly content for the public. Public service announcements, animations, and links to trusted government and medical resources help to dispel misinformation about COVID-19 in communities and empower patients to engage in their healthcare,” he concludes.

This article appears in the latest issue of Omnia Health Magazine. Read the full issue online today.  

Mecomed and its members have been highlighting the importance of value-based healthcare in the Middle East and Africa region for some time now, emphasising that population health and resilient healthcare systems are fundamental prerequisites of sound economies. The region’s providers, patients, and regulators face healthcare costs that are outpacing GDP growth, and patient outcomes that fall short of expectations in light of significant increases in spending.

In a position paper on Value-Based Healthcare in Middle East & Africa, Mecomed emphasised value-based healthcare (VBHC) as a model for addressing both these challenges. VBHC is a patient-centric approach and gravitates towards practices that produce better treatment outcomes by cost-effective means. While we acknowledge that transition from current systems to value-based models is not an easy process, we also recognise that a successful healthcare paradigm change will require close collaboration with the medical technology industry. It is here that we find the greatest pace of innovation and the right skillsets to enable change for the better.

Related: Report: The Evolution of Healthcare – Value-Based Healthcare

In pursuit of the best possible clinical outcomes for patients at the right cost, we find that the healthcare industry must move away from a supply-driven system designed around provider operations and workflow. As Mecomed puts forth in another whitepaper “The Role of Medical Technology in Value-Based Healthcare in MEA”, technology plays an important role in this journey. For example, the recent global pandemic was a shock to both supply and demand in healthcare sectors across the region and beyond. In many instances, MedTech companies came to rescue, stepping up manufacturing of the equipment and laboratory tests, to address these shortages. At the same time, elective surgeries, many of which were suspended due to COVID-19, are now resuming, and medical technology has a significant role to play in managing patient backlogs and capacity gaps.

Innovative technologies go hand in hand with VBHC, as we move away from traditional financing and procurement models that bought low-cost goods in high volumes. Value-based methodologies consider care to be a long-term process from diagnosis to months and often years after treatment; and they favour that long-term view over cost-centred business models.

Related: How Saudi Arabia is approaching value-based healthcare

Medical technology companies are accelerators of the journey away from the old ways towards VBHC. They are already engaging with providers to optimise pathways and improve patient outcomes, collaborating with stakeholders, including clinicians, administrators, policymakers, clinical societies, regulators, and governments, to create alignment on a range of issues.

And as healthcare decision-making accelerates and data propagates at greater speeds, medical technology will also be indispensable in managing and leveraging new data streams. As Mecomed has emphasised in the whitepaper “Value of Diagnostic Information in Value-Based Healthcare in MEA”, the value of diagnostics information (VODI) maximises the utility of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests in efficient healthcare systems. Combined assessment of the diagnostic information for its clinical, non-clinical, cost and population impact will be pivotal in ensuring the rapid delivery of accurate lab tests. This, in turn, will further accelerate the healthcare delivery progress towards improved treatment outcomes.

Mecomed and its members actively support progressive health systems that set models and standards for VBHC. We are committed to the continued shift towards such medical technologies, which we believe will serve as a solid foundation for sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective care to patients across the region.

References available on request

Inna Nadelwais

This article appears in the latest issue of Omnia Health Magazine. Read the full issue online today.  

Despite years of progress in diagnosis, treatment and prevention, cardiovascular disease remains the primary cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. To curb the pandemic of cardiovascular disease and alleviate its burden on people and society, we must enhance cooperation between the private and public healthcare sector and stimulate the development and adoption of innovative treatments and solutions.

The healthcare landscape in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, tackling cardiovascular disease has never been more important as the population above the age of 60 continues to be on the rise. Under the visionary leadership of HH King Salman bin Abdulaziz and HH Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 and National Transformation Program 2020 (NTP) is on the right track to improving the quality of healthcare services and facilities across the Kingdom. A firm supporter of the Kingdom’s Healthcare Transformation Strategy, Amgen is working in tandem with key stakeholders to build an ecosystem for locally generated data, offering innovative solutions to support patients, caregivers and HCPs in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving healthcare sector. We are actively contributing to generating local data including conducting studies on cost efficiency and examining the burden that cardiovascular disease has on the local economy.

Related: How Saudi Arabia is approaching value-based healthcare

Having entered the Saudi market a decade ago, Amgen has since grown its presence and footprint in the Kingdom. In 2020, we established Amgen Saudi Limited in our commitment to invest in the Middle East’s largest market. We have since scaled up our operations and increased the recruitment of bright Saudi nationals to support our trajectory to localise innovative healthcare solutions in Saudi Arabia. We are deeply committed to supporting communities in providing effective, accessible and life-altering therapies for cardiovascular disease. In Saudi Arabia, we believe in investing in local infrastructure to enhance health systems and support Saudi Arabia and Vision 2030. More than just a pharmaceutical company, Amgen is a partner, supporting patients and caregivers, while driving our local prevention efforts for a healthier next generation which in turn, can and will lead to enhanced productivity for the economy.

We are increasing our investment in generating local evidence that can support key healthcare decisions. In our commitment to unlocking the potential of biology for cardiovascular disease patients, we are working closely with various stakeholders to curb the pandemic of cardiovascular disease and in our capacity as a local affiliate, we expect to invest more than 300 million SAR in Saudi Arabia in the next five years.

Collaboration

Related: Prompt action defines Saudi Arabia’s success story in emerging from COVID-19

Public-private collaboration is instrumental to tackling the cardiovascular disease in Saudi Arabia. At Amgen, we place our efforts in investigating and tackling the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the Kingdom working closely with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, the Ministry of Health, Saudi Health Council as well as a host of academic and tertiary care organisations. It is important that we play an active role in supporting the full healthcare ecosystem and evaluate each element of cardiac care, collaboratively.

Most recently, Amgen Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Health Council, initiating a series of awareness and health education programs for patients with heart disease and cholesterol. The partnership effectively established a number of specialised training programmes for cardiac centre nursing staff as well as advanced training programmes for cardiologists and primary care physicians across the three levels of prevention. Working closely with the Saudi Health Council, we are developing new guidelines for cardiac health care in accordance with international best practices, including launching educational platforms and awareness programmes for physicians, nurses and patients alike with a view to positively contribute to the development of health services in the Kingdom.

Transformative research

Understanding the fundamental biological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease is a defining feature of Amgen’s discovery research efforts—and a major contributor to the development of our local pipeline of potential new medicines. Amgen’s “biology first” approach permits our scientists to first explore the complex molecular pathways of disease before determining what type of medicine, or modality, is most likely to deliver optimal efficacy and safety. With the advances in human genetics, we continue to shed new light on the molecular roots of cardiovascular disease and are always exploring new approaches to identifying and validating cardiovascular disease targets.

Innovation

At Amgen, we are determined to provide accessible and effective therapies for the most prevalent health challenges in Saudi Arabia. We are always in the pursuit of launching innovative medicine and biosimilars and have launched several innovative molecules across cardiovascular disease, women’s bone health, cholesterol management, kidney diseases, immunology, oncology and haematology. In 2020, we entered into a 10-year partnership with Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Appliances Corporation (SPIMACO), with a view to offer an affordable molecule to treat immunology patients in Saudi Arabia while driving the localisation of the pharmaceutical industry in the Kingdom. Over the course of the next few months, we will be introducing a first in class molecule for lung cancer mutation. This is a veritable breakthrough for Amgen as lung cancer mutation has been undruggable for the past four decades.

Data and digitisation

Amgen is paving the way for the healthcare sector’s digital transformation and reshaping how we interact with health professionals. We have established a digital model for streamlining the way that decisions are made about treatment plans and health outcomes. We are increasing our investments in digital healthcare tools as well as developing programmes that use machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to enhance the patient journey from start to finish.

In our efforts to enhance the patient care pathway, we conduct real-world evidence studies that generate local insights that allow us to develop data-driven programmes to improve the patient journey. This data is also used to provide early access to Amgen’s innovative medicines, having successful addressed high unmet medical needs in the fields of lipid management, bone metastases and solid tumours, including lung and colon.

Whilst the Saudi healthcare system has evolved, access to healthcare and innovative medicines remains a lengthy and complex process. I have seen first-hand the transformative power of collaboration, and I am confident that in working alongside key stakeholders in Saudi Arabia, Amgen can lead the way to curbing the pandemic of cardiovascular disease in the Kingdom.

References available on request

Trad Alkhelaiwi

This article appears in the latest issue of Omnia Health Magazine. Read the full issue online today.  

Changing health environment in a fast-paced world

Across the world, healthcare is shifting towards integrated and value-based care. This fundamental change has led to the design and implementation of improved models of care that focus on preventive care. To support this, leading health systems are putting a stronger focus on health research and innovation with the expectation of generating improved evidence-based therapies.

Related: Enhancing the role of women in scientific research

The Middle East is no exception to this trend. In fact, extensive sector reforms to achieve better care, better access, and cost efficiency are already transforming some of the region's healthcare systems.

With the pandemic, many of these transformative efforts, as well as the push for more research and innovation have been accelerated to ensure rapid integration of innovative therapies.

The increasingly relevant role of health research

Related: New research improves our knowledge of the processes leading to type 2 diabetes

As the world continues to battle the pandemic, global health systems have been placed on the spot, and consequently, agile innovation, continuous improvement and resilience are becoming a priority amongst global healthcare systems. In this context, health research is a core driver of innovation and continuous improvement; extending from scientific discoveries expected from basic research, up to the study of new approaches to drive better outcomes in applied / system research.

In the Middle East, we have observed a growing interest in improving capabilities, infrastructure and funding for health research. This interest is not only to support the ambition of positioning regional systems on the map of health innovation but also given the high contribution that health research can have in yielding new drugs or vaccines, new technologies (genome sequencing, biomarkers, etc.) and even new pathways to improve health outcomes.

To fulfil the ambition of better care and better access in a cost-efficient way, systems should not be constrained to deliver services only with existing technologies, as such, accelerating access to innovation is the main driver for health research to increase in relevance. For this to be successful, a more coordinated approach is required to break the barriers between researchers and practitioners and ensure more inclusive governance and alternative ways to fund projects.

Improving the Health Research ecosystem

Overcoming the issues of a fragmented approach to research and a slow process to integrate innovation will ensure good alignment of research priorities with system goals. This will improve the fundamental role of health research through translating scientific discoveries and technological advancement into outcome-based therapies.

We have identified four essential elements that can help improve the impact of research in the overall health system:

A. Fit for purpose governance

A governance configuration to establish an integrated approach to health research, from basic and translational research to applied research at the provider level. Alignment with system-wide priorities should happen across all stakeholders (Fig.1) and research stages (Fig. 2) to ensure a coordinated ecosystem in which clearly defined roles and accountabilities towards research priorities, funding, execution, and evaluation are agreed and implemented.

Fig 1 - Research stakeholders 

This coordination should include mechanisms to ensure research identity follows the local needs and capabilities at the provider level while facilitating cross-collaboration and preventing duplicated efforts. A robust governance should also consider mechanisms to support decision making and research oversight (i.e., decentralised Institutional Review Boards to oversee ethics and expedite research approvals). Finally, a centralised approach to horizon scanning and innovation dissemination helps establish the desired integrated approach and better coordination.

Changes are required at the sector level to redefine how the academia, government, and health provision services interact with each other to organise, fund and execute research to ensure outcomes drive care delivery improvements.

Fig. 2 - Research stages

B. Funding

Funding is essential to sustain a research project and adequate funding should match the purpose, commercial interest, scale and time horizon of the research project to the right source and funding scheme. It is also important to ensure access to a diverse set of funding sources: from “Hard Funding” that can limit the autonomy but bring longer-term research stability through endowments and block government funding; to “Soft Funding” through project-based grants that can be more adaptive to the latest research needs. Additional needs such as infrastructure and facilities are also key enablers for the quality and speed of research outputs. Ensuring access to specialised facilities or equipment may have its own specific approach to funding (from capital investments to agreements to utilize shared infrastructure).

It is also important to highlight that while discovery and translational research funding are essential, there is a big need to better support research on applied solutions and population health as this ultimately drives operational efficiencies that help improve satisfaction.

C. Establish a Health Research/Health System partnership

The prevalent model that separates health research from health provision must be challenged to ensure knowledge and expertise from researchers informs decision making.

Strong collaboration between researchers and providers helps ensure that innovation and improved pathways respond to the priority needs and health conditions of patients and citizens. This collaborative approach should translate into research teams where there is significant value perceived from non-researchers clinician’s contributions.

While basic and translational research is essential for innovation, it also requires epidemiologists, front-liners and model of care experts to anticipate needs and to frame research evidence into interventions that will help regulators, healthcare leaders and providers implement innovations in an effective and equitable way.

All levels of care, from primary care through to specialist quaternary providers, have a role to play in health research and innovation.

The current pandemic has also evidenced the importance of collaboration between clinical researchers, internal medicine, and emergency departments to successfully develop, update and implement care guidelines for a relatively unknown disease.

D. Culture

Health research should become more agile and move away from the preconception that 15-20 years are required for most research projects to yield results. This doesn’t mean that multiple phases for clinical trials or long-term longitudinal studies should stop. COVID-19 has demonstrated that with the right governance mechanisms, funding and timely decision making, research outcomes can be significantly accelerated to support real-time decision making. Embedding researchers into multidisciplinary teams to challenge the day-to-day operations can also improve the chances for successful implementation of research findings.

Additionally, a culture that promotes innovation and collaboration helps attract, retain, and develop researchers. It helps when research values and culture are also strongly rooted in academic environments, as it can also provide solid educational programmes that will yield the required future talent. Establishing the right culture should consider a structured approach to:

I) Leadership, mentoring and human capital development

II) Integrated clinical and academic programs to foster collaboration

III) Career progression models, recognition platforms and incentives

The health research environment is multi-layered and diverse, presenting many opportunities and challenges. Therefore, it is important to design health research ecosystems to harness these opportunities and respond to these challenges by leveraging existing capabilities and aligning to local priorities and future needs.

               

Mohamed Berrada                                         Abraham Calvo

This article appears in the latest issue of Omnia Health Magazine. Read the full issue online today.  

It is no secret that the last couple of years have seen the healthcare market become increasingly disrupted. Amongst other factors, this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the digital boom taking over the industry over the last few years.

With this disruption, healthcare markets have experienced both distress and opportunity. By exploring the early warning signs of stress, and what factors help determine a successful merger and acquisition (M&A) deal, we can create a base-level understanding of how to take advantage of the opportunities arising in this space.

Early warning signs of stress

Organisations have multiple facets of business such as operations, finance, and technology. Generally, there are multiple early warning signs within one of these assets that signal stress or distress. The early signs of stress could impact one, or each, of these areas. Within the healthcare sector, operational performance indicators such as shrinking margins, decreased payer mix, reduced volumes, reduced case mix, or reduced patient loyalty are tell-tale signs.

Additionally, human capital functionality is often a mirror to the internal state of a healthcare organisation. Poor employee engagement, higher than usual attrition rates, increased avoidable errors and increased medical malpractice cases are also indicative early signs of distressed assets. Factors such as increased staff redundancies and compromised quality outcomes exacerbate these symptoms.

Signs of stress can also be observed from a financial lens, with classic indications including declining profitability, tight liquidity, rising levels of overall corporate debt, compromised cash flows and increased debtor days. Market changes such as regulatory pressures, cost pressures and shifts in patient behaviour also play a role in adding to the stress of the situation, yet these elements equally present opportunities if capitalised correctly.

Success factors that determine successful deals

In determining any M&A deal, selecting the right partner and establishing trust is crucial for the success of any transaction. Moreover, having the right capabilities to conduct a robust due diligence process is also key in enabling an in-depth assessment and evaluation of the potential opportunity. M&A’s are one of the biggest corporate transactions a business can undertake, therefore, the due diligence process should ensure decisions are made from an informed perspective.

Within the assessment process, internal factors – such as whether the deal would create a strategic fit to the existing portfolio of assets – should be carefully examined. Assessing the cultural fit is often undermined and can have a critical impact on the success factor of the deal. Similarly, organisational fit and capabilities are crucial to consider.

When reviewing the external factors of a potential deal, the supply and demand economics and the market size need to stack up. Similarly, the regulatory framework needs to be in support of the opportunity at hand. Consumer-led trends should also be considered given the current disruption that has happened in the healthcare environment.

Ensuring a strong change management plan is in place, along with effective and timely execution, are critical factors to support the success of the deal post-transaction. It is essential to determine the degree of integration required based on the acquired asset and the existing asset base to certify economies and value are leveraged appropriately. Lastly, the most important factor in any M&A deal is the potential of value creation. Being able to identify that upfront, or early on post-transaction, will be decisive to the success of the transaction.

Finding the opportunity in a shifting market

As the year moves forward, we will continue to see disruption throughout the healthcare industry not just in the Middle East, but around the world. In such a fast-paced evolving industry, the stresses that result will lead to opportunities for organisations and investors looking for their next good deal. The key to finding success will come down to making sure that any deal that takes place is the right strategic fit and compliments an organisation’s existing profile.

In our ‘new normal’ professionals working in this space have an opportunity to cope with stress and distress by creating new value through deals. It is up to leadership teams – boards, senior executives, and medical leaders alike – to ensure their strategies incapsulate resiliency and long-term growth in a post-pandemic world and to make sure the proper due diligence is done to ensure the success of a M&A deal.

                          

Karim Benhameurlaine                Sara Alom Ruiz

This article appears in the latest issue of Omnia Health Magazine. Read the full issue online today.  

Can you tell us a bit about Dunlee? What are you showcasing at Arab Health?

Dunlee is a global organization who offers products to Imaging system manufacturer and replacement customers such as independent service provides and distributers.  We offer a full array of CT tubes for the replacement market. For imaging system manufacturers we offer a comprehensive portfolio of reliable X-ray tubes, high voltage generators, detectors and product bundles for CT, and MRI including coils and superconducting magnets, as well as solutions for imaging in radiography, interventional and oncology applications. In addition, Dunlee provides 3D-printed tungsten products.

At Arab Health 2021 Dunlee is presenting our family of CT replacement tubes for GE scanners, including the DA200P40+LMB replacement CT tube, compatible with the GE CT Revolution^TM Evo and Optima^TM CT 660, which features CoolGlide™ LMB technology. You can also see all our other tubes in the DA200 Series, as well as the popular Reevo240G tube, which is compatible with the GE LightSpeed VCT. Dunlee's replacement CT tubes have full registration in select Middle Eastern countries.

For the first time at Arab Health, we are also presenting our solutions for OEM customers. Our CT solution bundles include CT generator, X-ray tube and cooling unit that have been developed and tested together and come packaged with color-coded cables, tools and manuals.

What has been the impact of smart technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging?

Smart technologies such as AI from our perspective are playing an increasingly important role. Not only in the hospital environment where it is essential to improve on the quadrupole aim of improved health outcomes, improved patient experience, improved staff satisfaction at lower cost of care. Smart technologies also find its application in product development, manufacturing, and service to become better, more reliable, and faster to serve customers and patients.

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the business?

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our day-to-day business but also for our customer and partners. Shifting needs which created severe supply challenges and changed the fundamentals how we interact with our customers. We can be proud to say the we and our team have navigated very professional and successful through those challenging times. We always try to be very close to our customers which is now mainly virtual through the available online tools and platforms. We try to keep it simple but efficient. An opportunity like the Arab Health is a refreshing opportunity to meet many customers and partners in person.

Guido Stoeckman at Arab Health

Are there any future plans or partnerships that you would like to highlight?

In the future, we are hoping to expand our footprint to other regions. Events like Arab Health that are held in a central location like Dubai act like a bridge to other countries. From here, we get the opportunity to get in touch with markets such as India, Africa, and Europe. We aim to expand our base in the UAE and the surrounding countries from a quality and regulatory perspective. I want to add that it has been a great experience being at Arab Health, and everything is very well organised. I am now looking forward to participating the show next year!