What current trends do you see specifically in the UAE healthcare industry and what do you see as the growth areas going forward?

With regard to trends in healthcare industry in the UAE, the major thrust has been in developing a health and wellness industry. The Dubai government has taken an active interest in promoting healthcare tourism. In 2017, Dubai welcomed around 15 million tourists with a target of 20 million in 2020. This initiative resulted in a revenue of approximately 1.4 billion AED.

The latest statistics from DHA states:

• In 2016, Dubai witnessed an overall growth of 9.5 per cent in the number of medical and health tourists in Dubai - the emirate received 326,649 international medical tourists. A majority of international patients came from Asia (37 per cent), followed by Arab and GCC (31 per cent) and Europe (15 per cent).
• Revenue generated from international patients was worth over AED 1 billion, reinforcing the growing contribution of the sector to the national GDP.)
• Since the mandatory implementation of health insurance last year in Dubai and northern Emirates, we have come across a significant rise in large healthcare-driven projects, both planned and under development.
  

What, according to you, are the main ideas/strategies that will transform the healthcare industry of the future?

Moving forward with current global economies, there is likely to be an increased role of public private partnership (PPP) to finance healthcare projects as against just the government taking on the onus of healthcare. In order to boost investments, regional and provincial governments would need to think about offering tax incentives for local and international players for areas such as cardiac care and cancer treatment. In my opinion, as the healthcare industry grows, there would be a need of world class universities which will provide the human capital to sustain the growth.

How important is innovation in healthcare? What are the technological, medical and strategic innovations that your company brings to the healthcare arena?

Innovation is the only way to accelerate the healthcare transformation. There is not an iota of doubt that we need innovation in healthcare service delivery that is on par with innovation in other aspects of healthcare system.

As a lead distributor in bringing innovative technologies in the region, Leader Healthcare has been constantly working with healthcare providers on various ways to innovate. Our team slogan is ‘To Engage and Educate’. Our aim has always been to introduce a new concept, idea, service, process, or product aimed at improving treatment, diagnosis, education, outreach, prevention and research, with the long-term goals of improving quality, safety, outcome efficiency and costs.

What is your plan for Arab Health 2018? What products or technology will you be showcasing?

At Arab Health 2018, Leader Healthcare raises the bar in innovation, healthcare lifestyle and awareness and demonstrates how prepared we are to save lives either on a rescue and safety mission or helping take care of a mother giving birth to the next generation.

Healthcare is one of the new markets that Virtual Reality (VR) has penetrated and is transforming patient lives and how doctors work.

We are pleased to announce and showcase such experiences at Arab Health 2018 through our CPR in Virtual Reality with ZOLL – this allows users to experience the power of real CPR help with the new ZOLL AED 3 in an exciting, virtual world.

Another bigger experience is CAE Healthcare’s integration of Microsoft HoloLens. The aim is to transform the way doctors, technicians and students visualise complex organs. The goal of this technology is to improve patient safety and outcomes. The technology is the first holographic computer that allows you to move and interact freely within your healthcare simulation environment.

More futuristic innovations can be experienced as we demonstrate our combat and trauma rescue scenarios with SAM Medical and facilitate innovative patient transfer care mobility products for the ageing community and other reputed respiratory and special need equipment.

What is unique or new about your product or service?

Come Visit us in Hall 4 D 30 to experience CAE Healthcare & HoloLens in medical Simulation. ZOLL AEDs and CPR VR takes on the challenge of saving lives along with real hands-on activities with trauma and combat rescue missions.Some of the other products we are showcasing at Arab Health this year include moulage kits and life-like high-fidelity patient simulators, air purification innovations, homecare and respiratory aids, transformations for healthier skin and beauty and also surgical tools and equipment.

As a company closely associated with Arab Health for the past several years, how would you evaluate the impact of the event on the healthcare industry in the MENA region?

Arab Health is definitely the largest and the biggest healthcare event in the MENA region that brings along the healthcare providers and trade professionals on a single podium.

How has Arab Health aided your company’s yearly strategy in developing business opportunities in this growing region?

As a reputed healthcare trade company, we have been associated with Arab Health since its inception. In 2017, Leader Healthcare group took a lead position by becoming the ‘platinum sponsor’ for Arab Health. In 2018, we have taken a key decision of being a Gold Sponsor. Such sponsorship opportunities reward us with immense branding potential. For instance, it helped us to achieve greater visibility to a wider target audience. Furthermore, these initiatives distinctly allowed us to stand out amongst our competition. We were not only able to engage with our customers and enhance traffic to our booth, but we were also able to forge new partnerships.

What, according to you, are the real benefits and opportunities available to healthcare and trade professionals to attend Arab Health?

As a trade professional, it certainly benefits the participating companies in generating new businesses, provides an enhanced exposure to international audience and helps foster new relationships. It is indeed a forum to network with industry leaders and potential decision makers. For healthcare professionals too, Arab Health provides an opportunity to stay abreast of the industry’ latest trends and advancements. The biggest advantage to the healthcare professionals is an access to the scientific conferences that takes place simultaneously allowing them to secure CME-credit hours.