AACE Third Clinical Congress & Gulf Chapter Annual 2015
Private Equity Investment in the Middle East Medical Device Clinical Evidence in the Middle East Ethnically-Sensitive Diabetes Care: Management During Ramadan Syml Connect launches CarePad Cloud Computing: Improving Patient Care JRT ecommerce
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...making it better
The modern ward bed with intelligent thinking...
KEY FEATURES: • Low mattress platform height reduces the risk of falls Low platform height
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Chair position
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July/August 2015 Contents 4
Cover feature: Eastwood Park World-class specialist training
10
Special feature: Private Equity Investment in the Middle East, by Jonas Voelker, Vice-President, Gulf Capital
16
Product focus: Innov8 IQ from Sidhil The modern ward bed with intelligent thinking
18
Ethnically-Sensitive Diabetes Care: Manage- ment During Ramadan, by Salem A Beshyah
22
Perfect Healthcare by Brian de Frencesca: The Silver Bullet
26
New Opportunity for Medical Device Clinical Evidence in the Middl East, by Dr. Mohamed Karaki, IMP & Laboratory Logistics Manager
32
Digital Marketing and eCommerce Solutions Using Magento by Jason Russell
38
Clound Computing: Improving Patient Care by Praveen Pillai
Editorial Information Mike Tanousis - Publisher Tel: 0044 1702 296776 Mobile: 0044 0776 1202468 miketanousis@middleeasthospital.com Skype: mike.tanousis1
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20 – 23 Nov 2013 Düsseldorf • Germany www.medica.de
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Special feature
Eastwood Park World-class specialist training in decontamination, engineering, estates and facilities management, and much more...
By Peter W Briggs www.middleeasthospital.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Special feature Eastwood Park is widely acknowledged as the leading independent training organisation in the delivery of specialist decontamination, engineering, estates and facilities management training, primarily to the healthcare sector both in the UK and internationally. Formerly a dedicated UK National Health Service training centre, Eastwood Park has been operating for over 40 years and has been owned and managed privately for the last ten. A company that maintains its commitment to delivering quality training through first class specialist courses; fully equipped training facilities; a broad and relevant course portfolio, delivered by highly regarded expert tutors.
Medical equipment training
Training is available at all levels from outlining legal health and safety responsibilities at the top of an organisation to practical hands on technical technician training. It operates from the most comprehensively equipped training site in the UK where a number of hospital working environments have been authentically replicated, such as a hospital operating theatre, sluice room, large decontamination centre, dental suite, x-ray and medical gas pipeline facilities as well as a dedicated 3-storey lift training centre. All of which is set within a stunning 200 acre English country estate. Training on site allows for uninterrupted and focused learning, however, Eastwood Park also delivers the required training at its customers’ own premises, where appropriate. Most recently Eastwood Park has been operating in Malaysia, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Decontamination training John Thatcher explained: “In Qatar, we have been working closely with the Hamad Medical Corporation, delivering medical gas safety training both for engineers and nurses. In addition a comprehensive training programme for electrical; heating, ventilation www.middleeasthospital.com
and air conditioning (HVAC); water hygiene and lift safety training is underway, supporting an infrastructure of Competent and Authorised Persons to meet their overall hospital compliance and accreditation requirements.� July/August 2015 | 5
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Special feature Eastwood Park operates across many disciplines including: • Decontamination and infec tion control • Dental equipment • Medical gases • Medical equipment • Lift safety Decontamination training
• Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and steam • Water hygiene • Fire safety • Health & safety • Electrical • Estates and facilities management • Assessors and internal quality assurers
Practical medical gas training “Since the end of last year we have also been working closely with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Saudi Arabia.” John added. “It involves a three phase project including assessing the hospital’s decontamination and infection control training needs initially, and this has included revising and updating its internal policies and procedures. We have then been training its large team of sterile services technicians to accredited and internationally recognised latest best practice.”
Eastwood Park will be returning regularly to Saudi Arabia to deliver training to new technicians, as well as ensuring the supervisory levels are equipped to become assessors to be able to sustain the on-going programme in the future. The work with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre and Hamad Medical Corporation are just a couple of the hundreds of hospitals and organisations with whom Eastwood Park works in partnership to deliver www.middleeasthospital.com
unique and internationally accredited technical training. The courses reflect the latest legislation, approved codes of practice and guidance applicable across the many varied and different specialist healthcare support services. To find out more about Eastwood Park Training please email craig. nugent@eastwoodpark.co.uk , call + 44 (0)1454 262777 or view information on the website. www.eastwoodparktraining.co.uk. July/August 2015 | 6
Middle East Hospital magazine
Special feature John Thatcher with Eastwood Park’s MEH award for excellence in training
HVAC training
Fully equipped replica dental facility
Electrical training www.middleeasthospital.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Special feature New water hygiene training at Eastwood Park Eastwood Park’s water hygiene course portfolio has been refreshed to deliver a more clearly defined and concise learning opportunity, equipping healthcare estates teams with practical water hygiene skills in a shorter timeframe. This reduces costs and valuable time away from the work place. Two new shorter 3-day courses have been introduced to meet the individual requirements of the Responsible and Authorised Person and that of the Competent Person: • Practical water hygiene compliance – Authorised and Responsible Person • Maintaining safe water systems – Competent Person Both courses are City & Guilds accredited and based around the core requirements of the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice L8 and HTM04-01 for the appropriate safe operation, maintenance and monitoring of water systems in order to control water hygiene. Eastwood Park’s courses deal both with Legionella as well as the emerging threats such as Pseudomonas and are tailored to healthcare and general industry. Two Eastwood Park tutors, health and safety risk management expert, Alan Hambidge, who specialises in legionellosis and water hygiene and renowned water safety expert and ex-HSE inspector, David Harper, have combined to create a current and stimulating learning experience. Alan Hambidge emphasised: “It is about practical guidance in the work-
Water hygiene training at Eastwood Park led by water safety authority, David Harper place and being able to swiftly assess current levels of compliance and what needs addressing. We will be equipping staff with an essential skill set for healthcare estates as well as craftsmen or trades with responsibilities for general water systems.” These new 3-day courses complement our existing one-day courses covering: • Water supply (water fittings) regulations www.middleeasthospital.com
• Disinfection of water systems • Cooling towers • Water hygiene governance (for duty holders and senior management) For more information and availability on these and all other Eastwood Park training please visit: www.eastwoodparktraining.co.uk or call +44 (0)1454 262777. July/August 2015 | 8
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Specialist article
Private Equity Investment in Healthcare in the Middle East
By Jonas Voelker, Vice-President, Gulf Capital
www.middleeasthospital.com
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Specialist article Investing in healthcare in the Middle East should be an attractive proposition. The region has a rapidly growing but also steadily aging population, a level of healthcare supply lower than in most developed markets (expressed as the number of beds, doctors and nurses per population or % of GDP), high and increasing incomes driving demand for better healthcare (that is currently often met by travelling abroad for treatment), and governments increasing budget allocations to healthcare. In addition, there is a high prevalence in the population of lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease that have reached alarming proportions and hence put a high burden on the healthcare system, which has witnessed double-digit growth rates from year to year, relatively unaffected by economic crises. The majority of healthcare is still provided by the governments, which soon will no longer be able to shoulder it alone and therefore encourage private investment. So although healthcare in the region should be an obvious investment choice, when looking at it more closely, the picture gets more complicated. Healthcare is one of only very few sectors where the consumer of a service, the patient, in the majority of cases is not the payer, and does not make purchase decisions based on price and in fact is often not even aware of it. Also, the quality of such service cannot easily be assessed or compared. It is a sector with heavy (and changing) regulations, with specified prices and barriers to entry. Governments in most cases act both as provider and payer of services, and
therefore private businesses at times find themselves competing against (semi-)governmental entities that are able to invest heavily based on longerterm strategies. Plus, although private investment is generally encouraged, in certain instances foreign investors are prohibited from investing in healthcare assets of a country. These factors can alter the market environment significantly from one where prices, products and services are determined by free market forces of supply and demand, and make it difficult for an investor to enjoy a stable and predictable environment with forward visibility to operate in. The Investment Landscape What makes an attractive investment opportunity for a private equity investor? These firms invest into ‘private’ (i.e. not publicly listed or government-owned) companies as ‘equity’ (i.e. not bank debt or loan) shareholders and partners. The www.middleeasthospital.com
companies need to have an existing operation and some financial track record on which they can base investment decisions. They therefore screen companies in the market for interesting opportunities to partner with. The majority of healthcare companies commonly found in the region fall into few categories: general hospitals, small clinics (general practice or specialty), pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical disposables manufacturers, distributors of medical equipment, labs and diagnostic imaging. Not all of those are necessarily an attractive investment for financial investors that focus on tenures that are medium-term in nature. • General hospitals have a significant real estate component, need a high utilization of their bed capacity, require large investments in equipment, are complex structures with a large number of difficult medical procedures, significant staffing needs, etc. Also they are often limited to one July/August 2015 | 11
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Specialist article
location and not easy to replicate. • Distributors don’t own any intellectual property in the equipment they are selling, are dependent on the business practices and product quality of the producers and are at risk of losing their agency contracts, leaving them with little but a sales force. • Pharmacies often have competition on every street corner, are exposed to price regulation and on the wholesale level to currency fluctuations for imported drugs. • Medical equipment manufacturers in the region mostly only produce commodity-type medical
disposables such as syringes, gloves, gowns, etc., which are exposed to increasing competition from China. Any more complex medical equipment is imported. On top of that, there are only a limited number of sizeable opportunities of US$25 million or more to invest in, as the sector is fragmented. There a few investment ‘platforms’, i.e. chains of healthcare providers with multiple assets or branches. Governments have historically been the provider of most healthcare in the region, except for businesses founded by individual doctors, like clinics, small hospitals and pharmacies (which for example in some countries, as per regulawww.middleeasthospital.com
tion, need to be owned by individual pharmacists). Interesting Investment Areas Some interesting areas for investment do not commonly exist in the region, such as private local companies focused on weight management, production of higher-tech medical equipment, biotechnology, R&D-based patented drug manufacturing, electronic medical records, nurse training institutes, medical waste management services, or nursing homes for the elderly (for cultural reasons). Another area that initially seems to be an obvious investment target is July/August 2015 | 12
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MBBS, FRCS(ed), FRCS(ORL-HNS) Sleeping Disorders Centre 150 Harley Street London W1G 7LQ Tel: +44 (0)203 0753 150 info@150harleyst.com July/August 2013 | 13 www.snorecentre.com
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Specialist article help of venture capital investors or business angels making such highrisk/high-return investments, which is however a business model that is not yet very institutionalized in the region. Although private equity investors would sometimes like to, they are usually unable to back a start-up company or a business idea, but would be happy to finance the business at a later stage with growth capital. Healthcare Investment Case Study by Gulf Capital diabetes care. There is a large and growing demand in the region; out of the five countries worldwide with the highest prevalence of diabetes, four are in the Gulf region. And incidences keep growing fueled by sedentary lifestyles and obesity. However, the majority of care is currently delivered by governments, and is spread across several medical disciplines, with little specialization or centralization (with some exceptions like the government-backed Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi). There are practically no private companies to invest in that specialize in diabetes treatment. Much of the focus today is still on big hospitals, in particular on the building and the ‘luxury’ of its rooms and suites, rather than its staffing and delivery of quality care. In order to deliver the most efficient and cost-effective healthcare, the market does not need more large general hospitals. Investment will be more efficiently spent on smaller and specialized entities such as outpatient day-care surgery centers, local family clinics, and long-term and home care as ‘step down facilities’ to relieve the burden of hospital beds being occupied by long-term patients
due to a lack of alternatives. Specialized tertiary care hospitals with a focus on certain medical specialties are also interesting. Such centers of excellence are required in the region and should be able to enjoy high patient volumes and margins. Finally, services businesses such as diagnostic imaging and labs tend to have more attractive characteristics for an investor: they have less complex business models with procedures that can be standardized, and are less capital intensive, less dependent on individual doctors, and easier to scale across a number of branches or locations.
The following case study illustrates a successful healthcare investment and how a private equity investor operates: in 2010 Gulf Capital acquired 75% of TechnoScan, the largest chain of diagnostic imaging centers in Egypt with 13 branches. Apart from providing capital, as an active hands-on investor adding value to its portfolio companies, the firm has since increased the number of centers to 18, acquired the largest private diagnostic imaging provider in Saudi Arabia, and is currently expanding the business into Jordan and other countries, with the goal of expanding the presence of the chain.
However, a private equity investor can influence those investment decisions only to some extent. The initiative to set up such businesses should come from entrepreneurs, local family businesses and international companies entering the region via real operating entities and joint ventures.
The firm has introduced advanced new services, such as PET CT in Egypt, linked all centers electronically via teleradiology, significantly improved the purchasing power vs. the manufacturers of radiology equipment, negotiated favorable leasing terms, and has improved the company’s financial systems.
Private equity investors would like to particularly see entrepreneurs succeed in setting up these types of businesses. They could potentially receive the
Gulf Capital is currently injecting further capital to expand into other diagnostic procedures, and will continue growing the company until
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Specialist article a successful exit in a few years time. The right private equity investment in healthcare provides more than financial returns to the investor. It provides increased patient access to healthcare, quality of care, efficiency, job creation and building of local talent. About Gulf Capital Gulf Capital is one of the most active private equity investors in the region with a fund of $533m raised from regional and global investors, and is looking to make investments with a minimum size of US$ 25 million to acquire sizeable stakes in growing companies in the GCC, Egypt and Jordan, with healthcare being one of the favorite sectors to invest in. Gulf Capital was awarded the "Best Private Equity in the Middle East" Award by Banker Magazine in 2011 and 2012. For more information about the firm, please visit www.gulfcapital.com.
About the author
Jonas Voelker is a Vice President in private equity at Gulf Capital in Abu Dhabi in the UAE, and for the past five years has been focusing on healthcare and education investments in the Middle East. Tel +971 2 6942 746 Email jvoelker@gulfcapital.com.
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Bariatric Gynaecology Chair Addresses ‘The New Smoking’ Building on its reputation as the market leader in bariatric treatment couches and chairs, Suffolk-based Plinth 2000 has launched its Model 50GL Bariatric Gynaecology Chair, with the first batch already shipped to a new hospital in Australia and early enquiries coming from the UK and Ireland,Europe and the Mid dle East
Obesity was recently described as ‘the new smoking’ in terms of its impact on health, by the chief executive of NHS England, and Plinth 2000 is dedicating considerable in-house design and engineering resources to upgrading its clinical-grade equipment for handling a new generation of morbidly obese patients which is a massive problem in the GCC region.
According to a report by the Centre for Maternal & Child Enquiries (CMACE), obesity is arguably the biggest challenge facing maternity services, with one in five of pregnant women in the UK clinically obese. Yet the same report describes the availability of appropriate equipment as ‘generally inadequate’, adding that the majority of equipment in maternity units did not even have the minimum s afe working load of 250kg, recommended by CMACE/Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists joint guidelines. Plinth 2000’s regular Model 93 Gynaecology Chair complies with this 250kg safe working load requirement, but its latest Model 50GL Bariatric Gynae Chair has a higher 320kg (50 stone) SWL rating, with a wider 78cm seat cushion and backrest and substantial cot sides
and arm supports, to accommodate even super-morbidly obese pregnant mothers in comfort and safety. Now launched with column lift and Trendelenburg tilt for elevating the feet above the head, as well as reverse Trendelenburg, which additionally facilitates respiration in obese patients.
The new Model 50GL Bariatric Gynae Chair has uprated electronic height adjustment, able to lift overweight and obese patients up to 320kg, from its lowest working height of 40cm, for ease of access, to its upper level of 99cm. There is also motorised backrest adjustment from 0° to 90° as well as trendelenburg and reverse trendelenburg tilt to 20° allowing for optimum positioning of patients for gynaecological and colposcopy procedures. A convenient hand control is supplied as standard, with t he option of a hands-free footswitch. The chair also automatically reclines to a fully horizontal position, for patient recovery in emergency situations. Hardwearing, antimicrobial and flame retardant vinyl upholstery, suitable for cleaning and disinfecting with proprietary solu tions, provides excellent levels of hygiene, wear-resistance and durability, in a range of 18 colours. Heavy duty foam ensures prolonged comfort, while adjustable, contoured leg supports provide stability during examination and clinical procedures. Reinforced bearings, r obust 125mm electrically operated castors and a heavy-duty twin-column lift design add to the bariatric credentials.
“ Our main aims at Arab Health are to continue to show the Gulf and Arab healthcare community what we have to offer, to support our existing partners and to open discussions with potential additional partners in the Region. We have long appreciated the quality of the rapidly growing GCC healthcare facilities. This year’s products at Arab Health will be focussed on specialist hospital requirements, although we naturally also continue to supply our well-established product range serving the needs of the rehabilitation sector. As such we will be showing our newly launched 50GL full motorised bariatric gynaecology chair featuring column lift technology and electronic braking castors to ensure maximum patient comfort and security.” “With our new bariatric gynae chair, gone are the challenges of handling morbidly obese maternity patients,” says Plinth 2000 MD, Niall Dyer. “The functional modular design and attractive upholstery colours mean it will fit right into any maternity unit or clinic and, of course, the chair is still suitable for regular patients.” Given its heavy duty applications, it is reassuring to note that Plinth 2000’s Bariatric Gynae chair is backed by an unrivalled lifetime warranty on the frame mechanism and no-quibble unconditional 5-year guarantee on all components, including accidental damage other than upholstery. The new Model 50GL Bariatric Gynaecology Chair is featured on the Plinth www.plinth2000.com
Expanding in the Gulf Across the world, some 2 million people are on dialysis to clean their blood of impurities that build up as a result of kidney failure and experts suggest that number that is likely to double over the coming decade. Plinth2000 was acquired by its current Managing Director Niall Dyer in the year 2000. Since then the company has quadrupled in size and has remained true to its core principles of providing innovative solutions for patient handling coupled with unrivalled customer services. Export growth has accelerated in recent years with the company now actively selling to more than 80 counties.
Which explains why UK-based treatment couch manufacturer Plinth 2000 has experienced an upturn in demand for a purpose-designed dialysis chair, both within the UK and from across the Middle East, the world’s fourth largest import market for kidney dialysis equipment. As a result, the company has revised and updated an earlier successful chair designed in conjunction with Baxter Healthcare, the global company who specialises in haemophilia and kidney disease to introduce its new 93 DC Dialysis Chair. Although sometimes overlooked, a fully functional dialysis chair is an important piece of ancillary equipment, since most patients require three treatment sessions a week, typically lasting at least four hours according to NHS Choices. Moreover, as most people who need to have dialysis are aged over 65 years and an increasing number are morbidly obese, the need for optimum comfort and stability is clearly paramount. Plinth 2000’s new chair meets that market requirement with its robust powder-coated steel frame, mounted on the company’s highly regarded and reliable single-lift mechanism. It has a safe working load of 225kgs, able to lift patients from 500mm to 1000mm maximum height, with an additional Trendelenburg tilt function of 17°. The 3-section top has MRSAand fire-resistant, washable vinyl upholstery; there is an extra-wide 780mm option for bariatric duties. For prolonged comfort, it is fitted with 75mm deep, memory foam cushions, which mould themselves to the body in minutes, then recover their original shape. Adjustable backrest and leg sections and a sliding footboard help to make long-term dialysis treatment more comfortable and handheld controls enable virtually limitless sitting and lying positions. There are up to four motors for precise electronic adjustment of the chair’s profile with battery back-up as an optional accessory. The adjustable armrest provides support for the arm during treatment, with an IV pole and fixing bracket also available. The whole structure is supported on 125mm diameter heavy duty castors, fitted with central locking for stability in use. To suit hospital and clinic décor standards and give the dialysis chair a more pleasing appearance, the high grade, leather grain vinyl upholstery is offered in a choice of 18 colours. Plinth 2000’s characteristic streamlined design and quality components also make the chair suitable for domestic settings, its reliable electrical operation helping to relieve tension during home haemodialysis. The 93 DC Dialysis Chair is also suitable for blood donation, phlebotomy, infusion and oncology duties. It comes with a 5-year unconditional parts warranty and, being British-made, it is backed by an extensive selection of spares for minimal downtime. www.plinth2000.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Product focus
Innov8 IQ from Sidhil The modern ward bed with intelligent thinking
Building on over half a century of expertise in the design and manufacture of high quality hospital beds, healthcare furniture specialists Sidhil have announced the launch of the latest model in the flagship Independence Innov8 range, the all-new, high performance ward bed known as the Innov8 IQ. The bed has its first endorsement already, with a leading UK hospital Trust placing the very first order for
130. Dubbed ‘the modern ward bed with intelligent thinking’, the Innov8 IQ has been designed around optimising tissue viability, infection control and health and safety in terms of manual handling and falls prevention. This level of design flexibility means the bed is suitable for a wide range of patient groups, resulting in reduced requirements for transfer from bed to bed and increased relevance for the entire patient population. www.middleeasthospital.com
One of the key features of the Innov8 IQ is the low mattress platform height, reducing the risk of falls. The bed also provides a tilt function with auto regression, achieving a ‘one touch’ full chair position for optimum patient comfort, facilitating open airways, improved circulation, a good nutritional position and clear vision around the ward to enhance the patient environment. Aiming to reduce the time staff spend repositioning patients, the bed also July/August 2015 | 16
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Product focus features Sidhil’s latest ‘IQ Contouring’, where the backrest and kneebreak operate in harmony to reduce shear and friction, playing an important part in the prevention of pressure ulcers. This system works intuitively to prevent patients slipping down in the bed, helping the elderly and infirm or those with limited body strength to retain a correct and comfortable position in the bed. Angle indicators are included to help with specific nutritional and post-operative nursing procedures, and the clip-on handset features clear graphics to enable patients to self-operate where possible, maintaining independence, with a safety lock-out function for other environments. The Innov8 IQ is a lightweight bed which is easy to move and manoeuvre, designed for optimum levels of infection control. The perforated mattress platform is removable and all component parts above and below the bed are easily accessible, with a bright under bed light for improved safety and convenience. Additional features include a combined brake bar and pedal operating the brakes from both the foot and the side of the bed, with rubber buffers providing more cushioning and shock absorbency. The newly designed bed stripper bar is easier and smoother in operation, and the leg ‘stop’ bar extends when the bed extension is in place, with leg support panels lengthening accordingly, removing the need to reach underneath the bed. Now the only volume manufacturers of hospital beds in the UK, Sidhil have successfully pulled out all the R&D, design and development stops
with the Innov8 IQ, implementing the very latest manufacturing techniques to keep costs down whilst increasing functionality. UK-based manufacturing facilities ensure fast and reliable access to technical support including parts, service and maintenance. www.middleeasthospital.com
For more information, please contact: (Sidhil) Sidhil Ltd, Sidhil Business Park, Holmfield, Halifax HX2 9TN 01422 233 000 www.sidhil.com July/August 2015 | 17
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Specialist article
Ethnically-Sensitive Diabetes Care: Management of diabetes during Ramadan fasting as a prime example by Salem A Beshyah
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Specialist article Ramadan Fasting and Health: Fasting during the daytime of Ramadan (the ninth lunar month) is a compulsory obligation for all Moslem adults. Two basic definitions need to be visited here. Firstly, The fasting is an “extended” absolute fasting that includes giving up all pleasures to encompass and this not only not only avoidance of the intake of food and drink but to go further to avoid smoking and sexual intercourse. Secondly, the definition of adulthood here encompasses adolescent boys and girls who have entered puberty. During Ramadan, the prohibition period extends from dawn to sunset. Between sunset and dawn, normal life is resumed. However, the concern that in the evening “feasting” sets in instead of fasting of the fasting observed in the day time. Many commercial and economic reports have documented the excess consumed in Ramadan compared with other months of the year. From geographical first principles, it is known that a lunar month will move forward on the Gregorian calender every year by 11 days. Consequently, the duration of fasting hours will vary according to the time of the year and geographical location. For the coming 10-15 years, Ramadan will actually be in the summer season and would predictably be particularly hot in the Middle East.
specific groups are exempted from fasting are travelers, the elderly, Pregnant and nursing women, and people who are sick. The religious ruling on how a given sickness qualifies for exemption is that [sickness in which the ‘medical condition may worsen’ or ‘‘healing may be delayed’’ by fasting].
Gulf Chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) First Clinical Congress and Annual Meeting 3 - 5 of October 2013 St. Regis, Abu Dhabi www.aacegulf.org
Ramadan fasting has many medical ramifications that are outside the scope of this article. However, diabetes during Ramadan has been extensively studied. Although Moslem patients with diabetes may be able to avail themselves of the exemption from fasting during Ramadan many do choose to observe the fast as documented by the two epidemiological studies EPIDIAR and CREEDn studies.
The role of the treating physician is to establish feasibility and safety and to empower the patient in order to make an informed choice. There are widely accepted criteria on when to advise patients to refrain from fasting during Ramadan, with minor variations between different working groups.
The recent decree of the International Fiqh Academy in April 2009, harmonized the views of doctors and religious scholars with regard to the fasting of patients with diabetes. Doctors and religious scholars jointly adopted a clear set of guidelines based on a comprehensive system of risk stratification. It proposed 4 categories of risk with clear guidance on who should fast and who should not.
These criteria are based on the principles of risk reduction deduced from expert opinions provided by physicians caring for Moslem patients. Many therapeutic regimens have been described on how to adjust the type, dose, and timing of insulin in those treated with insulin injections for those in whom fasting was deemed to be safe. These regimens represent the collective clin-
The Harmony between Fiqh and Medicine: Diabetes and Ramadan The medical significance stems from the fact that prolonged fasting may not be particularly friendly to health in some people with ill health. Therefore, www.middleeasthospital.com
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Specilaist article ical opinion and many observational and/or interventional studies. Advanced Technology and Ramadan Fasting for People with Diabetes: The role of regular monitoring using various glucose meters are well established. The aim here is two-fold. Firstly to inform and guide adjustment of medication and/or meals to prevent higher blood levels after meals (mainly in the evening usually know as Iftar) and secondly to safeguard against hypoglycemia in the last few hours of fasting i.e. late afternoon. Recent advances were related to the advances in insulin pump therapy. Despite the increasing use of insulin pump therapy worldwide, including many of the Arab and Muslim nations,
there are few data on insulin pump therapy during Ramadan fasting despite the theoretical potential benefits. Although there are limited data on the use of insulin pump therapy
during Ramadan, three different anecdotal opinions have been expressed. A group of professionals convened in 2004 argued strongly for discouraging insulin pump treated patients from
A medically led consultancy specialising in strategy, quality and outcomes for populations, hospitals and specialties. HAI, established in 1990, is led by Dr Peter Briggs, a UK health consultant with NHS and private sector experience. · Strategies – the key starting point · Quality – for all specialties · Outcome measures for hospitals or individual specialties · Improving hospital efficiency · Working with Clinical Commissioning Groups · UK and overseas projects · We talk to key staff, visit premises and discuss recommendations · Best international practice
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Specialist article native strategy; however, they were more concerned about that fact that it is more expensive and still requires frequent blood glucose monitoring. Interestingly, a third group without any supporting evidence suggested that patients using insulin pumps (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, CSII) should adjust their infusion rates carefully according to results of frequent home blood glucose monitoring. Most will need to reduce their basal infusion rate whilst increasing the bolus doses to cover the pre-dawn and sunset meals.
fasting and branded the use of insulin pump as an absolute contraindication for fasting. A second group thought that subcutaneous insulin pump management is an appealing alter-
To date three studies were performed to address this issue. One study involved mostly young adolescents from Saudi Arabia and two studies from our own center involving mostly adults. The conclusions of the late
Salem A Beshyah, MBBCh DIC PhD FRCP FACP Consultant Endocrinologist, Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE. AACE GC Board of Directors member. Beshyah@yahoo.com T 00971 505662723 three studies confirmed an advantageous role of insulin pump therapy in enabling patients wishing to observe the fast to do so safely. The “real-time” changes in insulin infusion rates help prevent occurrence of hypoglycemia during the day time. Appropriate adjustments of the rates and the bolus doses also prevent excess glucose levels after meals in the evening.
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We work with managers/clinicians looking at specialties or procedures
People want higher quality but health spend has its limits · Strategies for population health improvement with specific measures for vulnerable communities · Strategies for cancers, heart disease, child health, maternity, surgical specialties
We aim for: • Less cross infection or harm • Reduced lengths of stay / costs • Better community integration
· Specialist services include mental health, neurology, gynaecology, liver disease, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, renal services · Condition strategies can include eating disorders, dementia, drug/alcohol addiction, diabetes, suicide prevention, epilepsy, arthritis, stroke services
• Improved patient satisfaction • Agreed clinical pathways for conditions/procedures • Systems for ongoing clinical audit Heart attack arrangements, immediate care essential Chronic heart failure, reduced incapacity and mortality Better organised stroke services – reduced disability and mortality Reductions in infant and maternal mortality Renal services for all communities, with earlier detection, more transplants, better renal dialysis availability
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July/August 2013 | 21
Middle East Hospital magazine
Expert column processes, you will end up with a lot of waste and risk as well; which is what we have in many hospitals. If you conduct a proper “process waste audit,” I am confident you will find savings of 30-40%. This is a lot of process waste, most of which could have been avoided in the first place.
Perfect Healthcare By Brian de Francesca The Silver Bullet I offer you a guaranteed way to improve patient safety, improve customer experience and improve efficiency. No, it is not too good to be true – it is literally all around you each and every day – you just cannot see it. When compared to all other industries, we in healthcare can do much better in the areas of safety, efficiency and customer experience. I am often asked what one piece of advice I would give to make the greatest improvement to healthcare performance. What is my proverbial “Silver Bullet?” In my experience, the root cause of most waste, risk and problems are found in two related areas: “Processes”
Most organizations fail to meet their performance targets. In fact, most organizations just plain fail. We have become artists at retroactively moving the goalposts so that our relatively poor performance is not easy to quantify – but in general, healthcare performance is not impressive. This is because many executives’ decisions are little more than guesses; though we do not actually want to admit or acknowledge this, or maybe we are deluded into believing that we actually know much more than we really do. Regardless, there is too much guesswork going on. But why is this so?
and “Communications.” It is really a coin toss to decide which is more important, so in this article I will focus only on “processes.” While there are enormous gains to be had in better asset management, people management, supply chain management and the like, what is consistently overlooked is comprehensive “process management.”
Executives cannot make effective decisions without timely and accurate information. However, It is commonly agreed that most Information Management (IM) initiatives fail to meet promised expectations; this is because we attempt to implement rigid IM strategies and structures on top of constantly changing, overlapping, unneeded, and non-standardized business processes.
There is an unspoken belief, that if you construct a large marble-clad building, fill it with lots of clinical people and the very best medical equipment, you will then have a hospital. The reality is that all you will have is a building full of equipment and warm bodies and unless you consciously plan out, monitor, and improve the thousands of interrelated and overlapping
The result is that executives do not receive the information they need, when they need it in order to make effective decisions. As a healthcare executive, one of the best things you can do TODAY is to engage someone to map out ALL of your organizations business processes and take a look at them (the processes not the person). You need to become “process literate.”
www.middleeasthospital.com
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The Third Clinical Congress
& Gulf Chapter Annual Meeting JW Marriott Marquis
October 29-31, 2015
Dubai, UAE
For further information and registration please scan the QR code on the left, alternatively, visit the dedicated congress web portal below:
www.AACEgulf.org Receive a 5% discount Checkout coupon code:
MEHAACEGC15
DUBAI 2015
70 Lectures 30 Speakers
2014 Attendees 736
Up to 3 Parallel Tracks
Congress Highlights & Topics Plenary Sessions • • • • • • • • •
Meet-the-Experts
The Year in Thyroid 2015 Changing Diabetes Treatment Paradigm Male Hypogonadism Advances in Diagnosis and Management of the “Diabetic Triopathies” Osteoporosis Therapies Medical Management of Severe Obesity and the Role of New Drugs Pediatric Endocrinology at the Cross Roads Familial Pituitary Adenomas The Future of Diabetes is Bright
Associated Programs
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Clinical Symposia
The Incidental Adrenal Nodule • Pituitary 2015 Diabetic Foot Ulceration • Hot Topics in Diabetes Female Infertility • Endocrinology and Women Bariatric Patient • Newer Oral Agents for Diabetes Use of Technology in T1D • Adolescent Endocrinology MDI Insulin Treated Patient • Adrenals and Men Syndromes Diabetic Hyperlipidemia Osteoporosis Management Diabetic Neuropathy The Turner Syndrome Subclinical Hyperthyroidism Poorly Controlled T1D Endocrine Genetics for the Clinician
Oct. 27-28 JW Marquis
Comprehensive Endocrine Review Course For the first time in the Middle East, we assembled internationally renowned faculty who would share their extensive knowledge and experience with the attendees over the Workshop 2-day course time. The course will provide a high caliber endocrine review platform that focuses on case-based exam questions and discussion covering different aspects of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. It is designed to cover major topics in Diabetes, Lipid, Obesity, Osteoporosis, Metabolic, Bone, Pituitary & neuroendocrine, Adrenal & thyroid, and reproductive endocrine disorders.
Neck Ultrasound & US-FNA
Oct. 28 American Hospital Dubai
The workshop is a full day introductory program on neck ultrasound (US). During a full day of didactic lectures followed by guided practicum, we ensure that our delegates meet the educational targets of pursuing ECNU and other related board exams. The course is delivered by some of the world’s wellknown thyroidologists with a long history in education and training who will share their experience in Neck Ultrasound & US-guided FNA.
Oct. 31 JW Marquis
Allied Healthcare Workshop on Diabetes Management The Allied Healthcare Workshop is a full day program that aim at enhancing allied healthcare professional’s role in endocrine care. The meeting offers an interactive learning environment that supports participants to develop their skills in effective diabetes management.
Registration Schedule The registration fee to the AACE Third Clinical Congress will cover tuition, congress literature, certificate of attendance and lunch & coffee breaks for the congress only. Registration to the Neck Ultrasound Workshop (US & US-FNA) is restricted to endocrinologists, internists, and radiologists with special interest in endocrinology. Pre-approval to registration is required to confirm final registration and are limited to 40 delegates only.
GROUPS For every purchase of 10 congress passes obtain one pass abosolutely FREE Workshop
Pass Type
Early bird rate Standard rate Until Aug. 15 Until Oct. 22
Onsite rate
Doctors
USD 300
USD 400
USD 500
Non Doctors
USD 250
USD 300
USD 350
AACE Members
USD 250
USD 300
USD 350
Medical Students
USD 200
USD 250
USD 300
US & US-FNA
USD 1000
USD 1100
USD 1200
Review Course
USD 450
USD 500
USD 600
1 day
USD 250
USD 300
USD 400
Allied Health WS
USD 100
USD 100
USD 100
Packages offers are available online at a discounted rate
Middle East Hospital magazine
Expert column “WARNING: Don’t get caught up in the BIG DATA excitement until you first sort out the often ignored BIG PROCESS issues that if not tended to will undermine most information management initiatives.” You will be shocked at what you find. Thus, if you want better performance, improve your processes. Today. But this does not happen: why? Why are processes ignored? There are two main reasons: “Organizational Process Management” and “Communications Effectiveness” is normally not the job of any one person. Someone now long forgotten wisely said: “when something is everybody’s responsibility, then it inevitably becomes no one’s responsibility.”
If you want more of the same, then just keep doing what you are doing. If you want to make improvements, then take action. And this “taking action,” is the responsibility of the “Leader,” but leadership is another topic for another article.
While there may be some degree of “process management” within a department or a business “silo”, it is in the spaces between departments where the problems mostly occur; and these “between department problems” cannot be repaired by someone within one of the silos. It is in these “process chasms” where the opportunity for improvement resides.
What do to? Seek out a person who is well versed in organizational process management. Initially, you don’t need to invest huge sums of money in hiring new staff or engaging consultants; just have a coffee with someone who lives and breathes process management (Lean Sigma if you will). Walk around your hospital with them. Have them conduct a few very small and focused Kaizen events, and quantify the improvements. Read a few case “lean healthcare” studies.
Secondly, once you identify problem processes (what we do, how we do it and who is doing it) then changes need to be made. We humans do not take well to change. We excel at doing the same things, in the same way, with the same people, and expecting different outcomes.
Eventually you can appoint someone to be responsible for Business Process Management, but do not bury him or her deeply in the organization. Have them make regular reports to the C-Suite and Board of Directors. I would argue that this person warrants as much face time as that with the CFO www.middleeasthospital.com
– if not more. Of course, this person should not be expected to do all of the process management work themselves and will need the support of a qualified outside Business Process Management service provider, of which there are numerous hiding under various banners, such as Lean Sigma, Kaizen and more. [Full Disclosure: I do not provide this sort of service – but when I am running a hospital, I certainly hire people who do.] Before you build a great icon… And if you are thinking of building a new hospital – give this some thought: Design your processes before you start designing your facility. Instead of getting consumed with creating a massive marble-clad icon, invest some time in first mapping out (in great detail) what will be done; specifically how it will be done, by whom it will be done, how long it should take to do it. Also, work out what this will cost to do, and how it will all be continually assured, measured, and approved. After you have done this, then start to create a facility to house these thouJuly/August 2015| 23
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Expert column sands of processes. Or you could do it the same old way it has been done for years, which results in the labyrinthine mazes we currently have to live with. If not now, then when? If not you, then who? The Internet is filled with case studies about organizations who for decades professed to be “lean and efficient” and then proceeded directly to the edge of bankruptcy and receivership. It was only then, at the edge of the abyss, that they accepted the need to truly look inside for improvements, and in all instances they found tremendous amounts of organizational “waste.” Not small measures, but 20-30% improvements (rumor has it that it may be as high as 60%). You have this much waste in your current organization – of course this is hard to believe, but I am confident it is there - it is always there. I promise you, I guarantee you, and I challenge you to become process literate and be a leader in improving healthcare efficiency and performance. The world agrees that the current trend in spending is not sustainable, but few are really doing anything about it. Lead by example; find the waste that is right under your feet every day. Case study for the Healthcare Case for Hyperbaric Medicine As hospitals offer more highly-technical services, senior administrators and medical staff members often construct new wings or buildings to accommodate these new services. One hospital’s senior officials planned to construct a new building to house its hyperbaric medicine program. Before leaping ahead and constructing yet another new “wing” they applied the “Lean principles” of waste reduction,
5S, value stream mapping, and physical layout to the project and current facilities. Thanks to a greater understanding of the Lean tools, the senior officials discovered that the hospital had sufficient space within the existing building. The results were a savings of US$2m and increased patient satisfaction and safety because patients would not have to be transported from one building to another. I have had similar experiences regarding requests for more operating theatres and MRIs that were in fact not needed at all. www.middleeasthospital.com
About the Author Brian de Francesca is an international healthcare executive with over 20 years experience having worked in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the USA. He is devoted to achieving healthcare greatness and strives towards delivering “perfect healthcare.” To be part of this dialogue, please contact him at: brian@defrancesca.com July/August 2015 | 24
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Specialist article
New Opportunity for Medical Device Clinical Evidence in the Middle East By Dr. Mohamed Karaki, IMP & Laboratory Logistics Manager, ClinPharM-ClinGroup Holding
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Specialist article The MENA region -extending from Morocco to Iran, including the majority of both the Middle Eastern and Maghreb countries, Iran and Pakistan- is generally one of the fastest growing economies in the world, one of the industries enjoying this increase in demand is the clinical research sector. Key factors for this include a large treatment naïve population, the improvement of the healthcare infrastructure and the large number of therapeutic indications. The Middle Eastern market for medical devices is displaying extraordinary growth and significant progress. It is expected to increase around 41% by 2014. Uprising demand is a feature of all the Middle Eastern countries, driven by the population growth and urbanization, and by increasing government investments in healthcare. Middle Eastern region, particularly oil wealthy countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar and Bahrain, offers many incentives to conduct outsourced clinical trials, including: Increased prevalence of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. According to the World Health Organization, 15-20% of the Middle Eastern population aged between 20 and 60 years, the highest rate in the world, suffer from type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, there is a high prevalence of obesity, estimated to 30% in the Gulf Co-operation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, KSA and UAE. In some cases, the rate of affected patients exceeds 25% of the
population. Cancer malignancy affects 60-216 per 100 000 of the population across the region, with the highest prevalence in Qatar. Genetic diversity More than 900 common genetic disorders have been identified across the Middle East by the Centre for Arab Genomic Studies, based in the UAE. Medical infrastructures Governments are successfully employing strategies to invest in and develop their national medical infrastructure to supply the region’s growing population as well as to attract foreign investments. For example, in the last five years, more than 14 hospitals only in the UAE have been accredited by the Joint www.middleeasthospital.com
Commission International, one of the World’s leading accreditation organizations. One of these is Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has also collaborated with Harvard Medical School to found Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). DHCC is an integrated “center of excellence” for clinical services, medical education and research, offering a competitive medical care system in Asia. Furthermore, several world-renowned institutions have been established in this region with a mission to enhance life sciences and clinical research, and to foster innovations and collaborations, such as Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (Dubiotech), King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre and King Fahd Medical City in KSA and Qatar Biomedical Research institute. July/August 2015 | 27
Middle East Hospital magazine
Specialist article Specialist research
schools
for
clinical
A number of international and national schools and foundations for biomedical research have been implanted in the Middle East in order to support cutting-edge collaborative research and to establish sustainable research and education programs. These schools include, among others, Dubai Harvard Foundation and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. Medical device environment
regulatory
Regulatory authorities in the Middle East play a key role in ensuring the quality, the safety and the effectiveness of medical devices. Middle Eastern governments have published regulatory guidance for the marketing authorization of medical devices, in line with standard recognized guidance. Furthermore, some Middle Eastern countries, including UAE and KSA, participate in the Asian Harmonization Working Party (AHWP) for medical devices. AHWP goals are to harmonize medical device regulations in the Asian regions, to work in coordination with the Global Harmonization Task Force, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and other related international organizations, and to establish harmonized clinical evidence requirements, procedures and standards. Trial feasibility Many incentives are offered for companies to run clinical trials in the Middle Eastern countries; such as governmental and institutional efforts to support evidence-based medicine
and innovations in medical device. The investment in health and research is thus proportional to the wealth owned by the Gulf Council Cooperation countries. Moreover, several additional advantages for trial feasibility are offered in this region: good health care system and free public services, lower research costs and shorter timelines for trial approval compared with European and North American countries, and rapid patient recruitment due to the close relationship between physicians and patients. Conclusion Middle East is becoming a more attractive market for clinical research because of the rising costs of clinical trials in the West and the need for a greater market. The growing scientific and medical community coupled www.middleeasthospital.com
with good international collaborations is promoting medical research in the region. Nevertheless, Middle East remains a relatively untapped resource and uncharted territory for many biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. The Middle East is of great importance in clinical research and has not yet reached its full potential; the number of studies being performed continues to increase. The increase in clinical research in the Middle East is the result of a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort of the regulatory authorities, ethics committees, investigators, pharmaceutical companies and CROs. The continuation of this cooperation is the key to the further development and the establishment of the Middle East on the global market for clinical research. July/August 2015 | 28
Personalized Health Management For InternatIonally-Based ClIents Quality Health Management (QHM) has been guiding the global needs of clients, payers, providers and patients with PPO, administrative and specialty services for over ten years. We make a world of difference to the bottom line of international companies who seek cost reduction and efficient management services.
QHM services: n Extensive network of providers in the United States and over 80 countries n Efficient claims service and custom claims repricing n Experienced medical case management n Superior account management and 24 hour member service n Specialty care services — Solid organ/bone marrow transplantation — Oncology risk management — Pharmacy benefits
Q uali t y H e alt H M anag e M e n t Miami Lakes, Florida (305) 821-8430 | Toll Free: (877) 688-8821 For more information, contact Patricia Ziomek Email: pziomek@qhmanagement.com www.qhmanagement.com
Middle East Hospital magazine
Specialist article ClinServ provides expert advice for strategic development plan and regulatory process required to run clinical trials in the Middle East. Our team includes staff members fully fluent in Arabic, who can assist with the regulatory submissions, site project management and monitoring, medical writing, as well as other relevant services. Our in-depth understanding of the Middle East cultural context and current regulatory environment enables us to conduct high quality research in the Middle Eastern countries.
About ClinServ ClinServ International is a full service contract research organization CRO headquartered in France, and providing services across the MENA Region through its six regional offices. Services provided are Clinical Operations, Project Management, Clinical Data Management, Medical Writing, Biostatistics, Training, Regulatory Services and Safety reporting. ClinServ is French ISO 9001:2008 certified capable of providing validated and audited clinical research services. www.clinserv.com ClinServ is part of ClinGroup Holding SA a mother company administrating and managing a continuously growing expanding group of companies in France and the MEA, aiming to develop the healthcare system and assistance throughout the Middle east and Africa.
www.middleeasthospital.com
July/August 2013 | 30
Middle East Hospital magazine
Specialist article
Digital Marketing and eCommerce Solutions Using Magento JRT eCommerce is a talent pool of creative design, agile development and digital marketing specialists providing tailor-made web and ecommerce based solutions.
By Jason Russell, JRT eCommerce
Our goal is to create a solution that helps our clients to achieve their business goals using the right tools for the right job, covering all aspects of ecommerce from design, build, fulfilment and marketing strategy. We have the technical skills, ranging from high-end enterprise grade technologies to applications, and online marketing experience to provide with our clients with a fully rounded service. Our talented pool of specialists have all have a wealth of experience of working in the web industry for some of the biggest names from banks to leading online players in their field such as JP Morgan, Lookfantastic.com, Nokia & GHD. Our current list of clients, not just in the UK but the USA and Sweden, range from niche hair & beauty companies to luxury diaries and healthcare service providers. Magento eCommerce platform We never recommend bespoke platforms and after working with many different tools we have found one solution to suit our needs and the requirements of our clients. Our ecommerce platform of choice is Magento Commerce which we have been working with since we started over 2.5 years ago. Magento offers flexible, scalable eCommerce solutions designed to
help businesses grow and succeed online. The Magento platform is trusted by more than 150,000 businesses, including some of the world's leading brands. But given my digital marketing background, I wanted to touch on a number of areas where companies can use the Magento Commerce platform to help add value for their customers, improve customer retention rates, increase sales and generally enhance their site’s USP. When we work with a client on the marketing side of things we take a very simple hands on approach based on 5 core ecommerce strategies. 1. Proposition. Getting the site ready and useable for achieving best possible sales results. www.middleeasthospital.com
2. Acquistion. This will involve understanding the client’s budgets and resources and develop their site asa sales channel, i.e. increase the size database, using standard methodologies such as SEO, Pay per Click, email and Affiliate marketing, social media, partnerships and shopping comparison 3. Conversion. Turning more lookers into buyers, via enhanced promotional activity, personalisation, using best practices for checkout and having enhanced content to enable the customer to find out as much as possible. 4. Retention. Providing loyalty schemes, targeted and segmented email campaigns, visible related and cross sell products to provide greater choice. July/August 2013 | 32
Middle East Hospital magazine
Specialist article 5. Analytics & Reporting. Site performance management, Polls, integration with analytics package and benchmarking.
Magento template from either ThemeForest.net or Template Monster, and get your agency to customise it to your requirements.
Given the above, the Magento Commerce platform provides a senior marketer and their team with all of the tools they need to manage their digital channel. Magento is a big platform with a wealth of functionality, which cannot be all covered in this article. I will however detail below how each of the core strategies above fit in with what our clients have asked or required from their digital marketing strategy.
These themes are designed by professional and experienced web designers. Our opinion is very much, ‘why reinvent the wheel’ when there is a fantastic tool out there with a wealth of in built features including, search and review functionality as well as being easy to populate with your own content. What’s more there are a huge amount of extensions or plugins that can be integrated to give your site enhanced functionality at the fraction of cost from a bespoke platform.
Proposition Ensuring your site is follows best practice, in terms of usability, design and content management, is one of the first and vital steps in ensuring your site will be a success. Magento is built on Open Source technology which ensure it is constantly being updated with bug fixes and new functionality as well as following industry standards when it comes to product and category layout, secondary navigation and the checkout funnel. However, if budgets are tight and there is no budget for design then it is easy to purchase a pre designed
Acquisition Getting customers to visit your web site is the first step in a site’s journey in developing a return on investment. One of the most cost effective routes for customer acquisition is search engine optimisation (SEO) with every company wanting their site to be visible on the first page of Google. We prefer the Magento platform, over more bespoke platforms, because it has a wealth of SEO benefits:
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• It is built from the ground up to support SEO • Auto-generating search engine friendly URL's, even down to the links in the layered/secondary navigation, • Creates sitemaps for search engine submission as well as for display on site, and a popular search terms page. You can gain further control by using Magento's URL Rewrite tool to specify the exact structure of specific product pages, and take control over the Meta information using Magento's intuitive administration interface. Along with a client’s content and social media strategy, this provides the foundation for great long term search engine results. With the search engine friendly URL's it is also really easy to deep link into content for your pay per click and affiliate marketing campaigns. Conversion Once the customer is on your web site, it is imperative that you get them to do something that is of value, i.e. convert. This in its purest sense is to purchase
July/August 2015 | 33
Middle East Hospital magazine
Specialist article a product or service but can also be to make contact, ask a question or simply engage with content such as video. However, one of the most common elements clients ask about and require is the ability to set up their own promotional activity without having to ask the agency to set it up or build a bespoke part for the site. Magento has its own built in promotional functionality which enables our clients to improve the site conversion. It is so flexible that you can easily set up a wealth of promotional rules that give a percentage of a specific product or products, buy one get one free options, give discounts for buying certain products, set up free shipping when a customer spends over a certain or simply add give a product a special price. The list is endless and the great thing is, is that they are all tremendously easy to set up. Retention Once your customer has converted there is nothing worse than them not coming back and buying again. The old adage that it is cheaper to retain a customer than get a new one is never more true. A growing trend for ecommerce stores is to have a loyalty programme. We are an official partner of Sweet Tooth Rewards (www.sweetoothrewards.com), a Canadian Software Company which has developed this loyalty scheme integrates into Magento. We have installed this programme on a number of client sites and have seen an incredible response from customers who really value getting their ‘points’ and keep coming back to buy again and again. What makes this programme different is of
the added benefits it provides in terms of customer engagement. You can reward your customers for signing up to a newsletter, setting up an account, referring a friend, liking you on Facebook, you can even give them points on their birthday. So this fabulous tool not only helps retain customers it also goes along way to convert them as well. Another reason why the Magento platform provides our clients with the best possible tools to make their ecommerce store a success and why we choose it over bespoke other ecommerce solutions out there. Analytics Every Digital Marketing Manager/ Director has to be aware of how the site is performing, monitor sales and customers as well as reporting back on a regular basis to their boss. Again, from our experience with our clients, they value the wealth of reporting functionality that Magento provides in terms of viewing sales on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, how many items were sold by number of orders, www.middleeasthospital.com
what are the best sellers, how many new customer accounts have been set up or even the number of abandoned baskets at checkout. These reports, and there are many more, give our customer valuable insights into how their site is performing at a couple of clicks of a button and super quick time. To add further weight to these reports, Google Analytics easily integrates into Magento meaning you have an array of tools at your fingertips ensure your web site generates the best possible return on investment for your business. I hope I have given you an insight as to why JRT Ecommerce recommend Magento, from a technical and marketing perspective. The difficult thing about writing this article was to keep it as short as possible, as there are an incredible amount of features I have not mentioned and also a constant stream of new functionality being added or extensions/plugins being created. From our experience, it is everything your business needs to establish or improve its ecommerce presence and provide your customers with a fabulous buying experience. July/August 2013 | 34
Pocket sized tablet computer designed for healthcare
A
D/
D Barcode Reader
Professional integrated Barcode Scanner
Front camera
Rear camera with flash
Multi-touch screen
IP54 Polycarbonate disinfectable coating
5.88 ”
Programmable hotkeys/ volume control
Optional cradle for Smart Card Lanyard connection neck/wrist carry option Microphone MicroSD™ card slot Alert Light
1 2
Power on/off
Capture, track and trace Integrated barcode scanner and camera.
Secure Optional support for 2 factor authentication.
3 4
Bluetooth®
Robust/Infection Control IP54 splashproof / 1 metre drop resistant. Disinfect with alcohol.
Quality & Reliable Build Providing up to 6 hour battery life with optional warranty packages.
Visit us at MEDICA in Hall 16 Stand G10-1 For further information contact us on +44 (0)1293 566291 - Email: healthcare@mio.com - www.miocare.mio.com
Middle East Hospital magazine
Specialist article JRT eCommerce clients Perricone MD Luxury US skincare company Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals launched their new UK and European ecommerce store with JRT Ecommerce. The new site is developed on the Magento Enterprise Platform in 3 languages, including Spanish and German. www.perriconemd.co.uk Philip Kingsley
More benefits of using Magento Customers choose Magento because it is a cost-effective solution built on open source technology, enabling our clients to control and customise the look and feel, content, and functionality of their online stores. This is the essence of our ecommerce philosophy - ensuring our clients are self-sufficient, can run their own stores in-house and be able to have new functionality that is future-proof and cost effective. There are numerous technical reasons why Magento is a great platform for businesses of all sizes, such as • Scalability: If your business expands you can scale up to the Magento Enterprise version with a wealth of additional functionality • International support: Magento has built in support for multiple languages and currencies, which will allow your store to sell internationally. Magento
comes with around 60 predefined languages but custom language packs can be created. It includes the ability to set different tax zones and payment systems on a per country basis. • Continued investment and development: eBay has acquired Magento and has invested heavily in developing the software further in order to produce the next generation of ecommerce systems. This investment is reassuring and removes a lot of the risk factors usually found when using open source software packages. • Security: Magento is a secure and reliable e-commerce system that gives confidence to your customers. For more information on how we can help you with a Magento development, or help you with an existing site, please contact Jason Russell on Jason@ jrtecommerce.com
Anyone with an interest in hair and beauty has undoubtedly heard of Philip Kingsley. The leading Trichologist who created a multi award winning haircare range. They needed a new website to enable multi-country operating sites with different currencies to run side by side as well as improve their digital marketing capability. www.philipkingsley.com Castelli Diaries Castelli is a subsidiary of Lediberg spa, the largest diary/notebook manufacturer in the world, based in Bergamo, Italy. Castelli needed our help to improve their customer experience on the UK website and also make it easier for in-house staff to update and self-manage the site. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) results also needed improving to help uplift sales. www.castelli.co.uk
www.jrtecommerce.com www.middleeasthospital.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Specilist article
Cloud computing: Improving patient care by Praveen Pillai
It is no secret that healthcare organizations lag behind most other industries in adopting new technologies, largely because of the unique data security, regulatory requirements, and patient’s privacy concerns, apart from coping with increasing service expectations within their limited budgets. However, patients today are better advocates for their own healthcare and are playing greater roles in managing their care. At the same time, they seek the best care at the best cost and are willing to investigate their options. But as they say “every cloud has a silver lining”. The demands for access to personal patient records are driving
providers to look at electronic health records, health information exchanges and business intelligence or analytics tools as a way to drive efficiencies, streamline workflow and increase the quality of patient care. But these types of initiatives can mean huge upfront capital expenditures, sizable ongoing operating expenses and a huge investment in change management in adjusting to the workflows of the digital era. All this is happening in an industry that has been historically reluctant to change. Cloud computing in healthcare offers the next evolution in information exchange, eliminating the need for hard copies or CDs of patient records www.middleeasthospital.com
and images. By leveraging the cloud, healthcare providers can access and share patient records and images virtually, across multiple devices and from any location. Cloud computing offers the scalability, flexibility and cost advantages needed to help healthcare businesses stay competitive during these challenging economic times. Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing resources over the Internet. It’s a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources that can be rapidly provisioned with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. July/August 2013 | 38
Middle East Hospital magazine
Specialist article The value of cloud in healthcare: Embracing cloud technology in healthcare enables healthcare organizations to focus their efforts on clinically relevant services and improved patient outcomes. Additionally, it eliminates the burden of infrastructure management and helps to address the massive overhaul and modernization needs in healthcare. Listed below are common uses, healthcare organizations may leverage cloud computing to meet their business needs: 1. Data Access: - In many cases specific information may be needed in two
places, by different health services providers at the same time. Through cloud computing, accurate and up-todate medical information are synchronized and shared in real time, which can be accessed at any time and in any place, allowing for improved care coordination and better decision making. 2. Data integrity: Large cloud service providers can build an IT infrastructure far beyond anything a hospital or physicians group could manage on its own – so there’s very little downtime spent on system maintenance. Data integrity is maintained through redundant backup systems that just wouldn’t be feasible or cost-efficient in a smaller system.
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3. Division of labor: The cloud offer, healthcare providers the ability to access specific experts to manage and maintain their systems – like a block storage expert, a network security expert, an archiving and backup expert who will manage the different components. Providers need not build up these skill sets, but instead can focus on upgrading their clinical skills. These experts can spend the time and effort to implement the best practices for each component, which ultimately delivers added benefit to the clinical users and their patients. 4. Economies of scale: Cloud computing relies on resourcepooling to offer massive amounts of
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Specialist article computing power at a lower price, allowing organizations to avoid the high initial investments in hardware and labor. Cloud models provide transaction-based pricing, as a facility uses more storage, they pay for it. 5. Speed to innovation: Cloud based services enables faster access to important information for health services providers and their patients, and system upgrades can be performed cheaply, with minimal downtime. The potential of cloud in improving patient care: The health care environment is changing faster than ever before due to the demand of delivering higher quality care for significantly fewer dollars per patient and increased competition
among services providers. Hospitals and physicians are looking for strategies to increase business flexibility, while demonstrating greater healthcare value. To do so, a transformation from institution-centered, data-poor systems to patient-centered, information-rich health systems is needed. A flexible and scalable approach to applications and infrastructure can help healthcare organizations support new business approaches and seamless patient experiences. Cloud computing provides to the health care environment the opportunity to improve services for patients, to improve operational efficiency, to streamline costs, to share information seamlessly and in near-real-time across multiple devices and other organizations.
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For smaller hospitals and physician practices, in particular, cloud-based applications can be extremely cost-effective, since it allows providers to pay for use services and minimize staff hiring and service maintenance. In today’s competitive landscape, larger hospitals depend on the feeding hospitals and medical center for referrals. By embracing the cloud, larger hospitals, for example, can provide domain names with secure email to physicians at a very low cost, thus strengthening their relationships with referring physicians and in turn, with their patients, while creating a pool of brand ambassadors. By exploiting the enormous capability of the clouds, radiology departments can also streamline the opera-
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Specialist article tional protocols. A physician fills out a request form with patient details, history and reason for exam. This gets sent to the radiology department for scheduling. The clinical staff books the exam and informs the doctor, who advises the patient, who has a conflict with the appointment time. Back and forth it goes. Now, consider a cloud based electronic scheduling system, whereby the doctor enters all the relevant information and the system determines the most appropriate exam and notifies the patient directly of possible options. The patient logs in, selects the best time for the exam, and the system books the exam. Furthermore the stored radiology images are not restricted within the boundaries of a hospital or country but can be accessible from any time where, thus opening the possibility of second opinion, if required. The implementation of digital pathology, managed through cloud services, has a huge clinical impact on an organization. Access to pathologists who were previously available only at higher centers of excellence, can be remotely accessed on demand for expert opinions. Even treating physicians can review the latest diagnostic results from home through the Internet via a variety of connected devices and perhaps determine that the patient can be discharged immediately, rather than waiting for physicians to arrive at the hospital physically. By leveraging the value of cloud, even the nurse call system, can be improvised substantially. When a patient rings for a nurse, the call signal is processed in the cloud, and alerts are
sent to nurses in the form of texts, emails, pages, or phone calls. This allows nurses to be more efficient on the floor, as the closest staff member can respond quickly to the patient and no one is tied to a nursing station to track patient call signals. Cloud Challenges in Healthcare Healthcare is a highly regulated industry, and the data used and maintained by health care organizations www.middleeasthospital.com
is subject to stringent regulation. Although cloud computing technologies are on the rise in the healthcare industry but as with any new technology, their adoption is held back by regulatory hurdles and concerns related to security and confidentiality of patients information. Putting personal health information into a third party remote data center raises sever concerns. The possibility that patient data could be lost, July/August 2013 | 42
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Specilaist article to address these fears.This software eliminates the risk of data loss by simply never transferring private, patient medical images to a mobile device, be it a laptop or an iPad. Physicians can view, interact, and collaborate on medical images through a web browser, without storing any sensitive patient data on their laptops. This also means that patient information stays behind the secure hospital firewall, never crossing any state lines or straying into new legal jurisdictions. In new era of medical mobility, there is no doubt that cloud computing has long way to go, in enhancing the ability of healthcare providers to bring quality care to those in need. About the Author Praveen Pillai is a Health care management professional with over 11 years of progressive experience in national & international markets.
misused or fall into the wrong hands affects adoption. Other challenges include availability to un-authorized users, traceability of access, reversibility of data, long-term preservation and compliance with government regulations etc. Conclusion The healthcare industry is adopting cloud computing to reduce costs,
improve care, and achieve business agility, in spite of the perceived security and privacy challenges. In fact, the cloud computing market in the health care sector is expected to grow to $5.4 billion by 2017. Fears aside, which can be overcome by doing due diligence and selecting the right partners, cloud adoption momentum is building. There are solutions in the marketplace today that offer web-enabled applications www.middleeasthospital.com
His management career has ranged from senior management of hospitals and medical care services, to entrepreneurial business development and management. Involved in conceptualizing and successfully developing pioneer healthcare models as well as innovative products and services including concierge practice, home health care & on-site clinics. Praveen is a candidate for a doctorate program in Business Management. He is a graduate in Business Economics (MBE) from School of Economics, DAVV, INDIA & holds a Masters diploma in Hospital & Healthcare management from Symbiosis INDIA.
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News Price of medicine in UAE cut by up to 40%
The cuts will be achieved by a new system to unify the cost of imported medicines in US dollars, to prevent monopolies and to reduce the profit margins of sales agents and pharmacies. “Food and medicine are of extreme importance. It is essential to make medicine affordable for all,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted yesterday after a Cabinet meeting at which he approved the changes. The new system will help to ensure medicine is available for all, and investors in the healthcare sector will “also be taken into consideration”, Sheikh Mohammed said. The Ministry of Health has been instructed to implement the system within three months and enforce it with pharmacy inspections. “This is the biggest cut in the whole of the Middle East,” said Dr Amin Al Amiri, an assistant undersecretary at the ministry. “And of this speed.” Dr Fayath Al Saad, a general practitioner at Dar Al Shifaa Hospital, said the new system was beneficial to all, particularly expatriates and “even pharmacies - if prices are affordable they will sell more. We are very happy with this,” he said
A spokesman for Axa Insurance said the company was not aware of any decision to change the pricing system, but any reduction could bring insurance premiums down for customers. “It should have a positive impact on the premium, meaning that it will decrease, but to what level it’s very difficult to say at this stage,” he said. Faisal Abdullah Al Teniji, a Federal National Council health committee member from RAK, applauded the changes but cautioned that it was important to ensure price reductions did not compromise quality. One pharmacist from Abu Dhabi said most customers were covered by insurance so did not care about the cost of medicines, though some lower-paid workers who were not always insured for all drugs stood to gain from the move. However, he was concerned by any reduction in the profit margins of pharmacies. “The current profit margin of pharmacies is 14 to 15 per cent. The expenses of pharmacies are increasing day by day - the salaries and rent and everything - and if they reduce the profit margin again it will affect the pharmacy business in a negative way. I would not like to see the pharmacy profit margin reduced any more.” www.middleeasthospital.com
Healthcare spending in Gulf expected to rise to $79bn Spending on health care across the Gulf countries is forecast to reach about $79bn by 2015, as populations increase and governments invest oil revenue to boost their health care, Arab News reported, citing a survey by Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz). Public health expenditure per capita has grown at an average of 7.9 percent across GCC states from 2000-2009, according to the survey by Markaz. Public health expenditure in GCC countries is between 63 percent and 80 percent of total health expenditure. GDP per capita in the GCC has grown at an average of 6 percent between 2000 and 2009, according to the survey. An earlier survey by Frost & Sullivan had forecast the GCC total healthcare expenditure tripling to $133.19bn by 2018 from $46.12bn in 2011 assuming an a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3 percent from 2010 to 2018 due to its expanding population, higher incidence of lifestyle diseases, and deeper insurance penetration. Saudi Arabia is spending more than US$500bn on its infrastructure to meet the growing demand for its growing population and Kuwait, the UAE and Bahrain are all expanding their health care facilities.
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News United Eastern Medical Services launches HealthPlus Diabetes Center in Abu Dhabi Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development, the HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center was officially opened today 14 April 2013.
Eastern Group and Mr. Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, CEO & Managing Director of United Eastern Medical Services in Abu Dhabi welcomed H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan and introduced the Medical Team of HealthPlus.
The HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center is a fully comprehensive and modern Medical Center specialized in Diabetes & Endocrinology providing total world-class Diabetes Care in a multidisciplinary team approach. The new Center was officially inaugurated today by H.E. Sheikh Nayahan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan. H.E. Mr. Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of United
After the ribbon-cutting, H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan toured the facility to view the different departments and specialties including diabetes, endocrinology, internal medicine, cardiology, ophthalmology, psychology, podiatry, nutritional services and visited the ‘Diabetes Academy’, the Center’s comprehensive medical laboratory and specialized pharmacy all equipped
with state-of-the-art technologies. Mr. Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi said, “Launching such a world-class specialized medical center represents another step for UEMedical in the realization of the UAE leaders’ vision to provide the people of the UAE with the best healthcare facilities comparable to international standards. It also comes in line with HAAD strategic priorities to improve clinical outcomes through partnering with world renowned partners. Moreover, attracting a German healthcare institution specializing in Diabetes to Abu Dhabi such as DZM will in the long run improve diabetes care in the region.”
UK’s Moorfields Eye Hospital seeks Abu Dhabi expansion World-renowned ophthalmology centre Moorfields Eye Hospital is in talks to expand the brand in Abu Dhabi, its CEO told Arabian Business.
betic market. Imperial College is very keen and supportive of us to set up a surgical facility there [but] we are looking at a few options,” he added.
The clinic, which opened its first overseas branch in Dubai in 2006, said it may grow its services in the UAE capital and Sharjah but is unlikely to expand to any other market in the Gulf, said John Pelly.
Moorfields, one of the oldest and largest centres for ophthalmic treatment and teaching in the world, is also in talks to collaborate with University Hospital Sharjah, added Pelly.
“In Abu Dhabi we do have a presence at the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre… we provide the ophthalmic care to the diabetic patients that attend those two centres [in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain] but we don’t have a surgical facility in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “That’s part of the reason for our desire to establish a surgical presence as well of course to start to penetrate the Abu Dhabi market itself for the non-dia-
The clinic, which trains over half of the ophthalmologists practising in the UK and a significant number of those overseas, was highlighted by Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) last year as a successful example of franchising a well-known British hospital abroad. The British government launched Healthcare UK in 2012 to act as a consultant for hospitals and potential overseas clients in a move aimed at increasing funds into www.middleeasthospital.com
the health service. While there is a significant push to expand NHS hospitals in other parts of the world, including the Middle East, Pelly said it is unlikely many others will follow Moorfields’ example. “You have to be very highly regarded to start within your own country and you need to be well-known internationally. There are a few – Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Royal Marsden and The Royal Brompton Hospital – but I very much doubt that more than half a dozen will be able to cut it in a place like this because it’s a different environment,” he said. “Will others follow? I think some might but I am not aware of any specific plans that any other hospital may have to do this,” he added
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News DHCC and Philips Healthcare sign MoU to enhance professional healthcare education Royal Philips and Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct comprehensive medical education courses and continuous professional development programs in the UAE. The partnership will further enhance the capabilities of the healthcare workforce in line with the UAE’s strategy for 2011-2013 to provide world-class healthcare and shows the continued commitment of Philips to the country, its citizens and residents. During her second visit to the UAE in the last six months, Deborah DiSanzo, Chief Executive Officer of Philips Healthcare, met with Marwan Abedin, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Healthcare City, to sign the MoU at the DHCC offices. The UAE healthcare industry has exhibited unprecedented growth over the past few years and is expected to continue to grow at a CAGR of over 16% in the coming years. Healthcare being a priority, the government continues to invest in the development of the healthcare infrastructure and improve patients’ accessibility to services. Marwan Abedin, DHCC CEO, said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Philips to further extend medical education options for our healthcare professionals. Through the provision of specialized courses and programmes, DHCC and Philips have the shared vision of furthering healthcare education in the UAE, to develop a highly qualified, specialized and sustainable healthcare workforce.” “Philips Healthcare is dedicated to creating the future of healthcare
and saving lives. We are proud to be contributing to the development of highly-skilled and qualified healthcare professionals who are addressing the rapidly growing non-communicable diseases in the region, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer,” said DiSanzo. “Through this partnership, the Dubai Healthcare City and Philips will be able to provide continuous training solutions to strengthen the capabilies of local talent and cultivate a best-in-class medical workforce, an enabler to achieving the UAE’s goal to provide world-class healthcare,” added DiSanzo. Philips recognises the importance of continuous medical education and has already established three customer education centers in the Middle East, through which it has trained hundreds of professionals in the last year alone. Focused on building innovative partnerships that facilitate advancements in the local healthcare industry, www.middleeasthospital.com
Philips works closely with stakeholders to identify the gaps and areas of development and design courses that address the specific needs of the local healthcare market such as cardiology, oncology and women’s health. Dr Amer Sharif, Managing Director of DHCC’s Education division, said, “DHCC is committed to providing healthcare professionals across the UAE with the most up-to-date knowledge and training. Through our ongoing collaborations with education partners and healthcare providers who support this aim, Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center continues to promote quality academic activities, education and research.” Dr. Wajdi Al Daghma, Managing Director of Strategy and Business Development, added, “Through strategic partnerships with companies such as Philips, a global innovator in healthcare solutions, we are able to offer globally respected medical education within Dubai and the UAE.” July/August 2013 | 46
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News Bahrain plans first nation-wide health survey since 2007 Bahrain is set to launch a major survey involving thousands of people to examine the state of health of nationals as well as expatriates aged 18 and above, a report said. A sample of 6,000 adults will have their weight, height, vision and blood pressure recorded, in addition to undergoing diabetes and cholesterol tests, as part of a global study by the World Health Organisation (WHO), reported the Gulf Daily News. Data collected will be included in the World Health Survey 2013, which will rank countries around the world on their health.
A Press conference to announce the project took place on 5th June at the ministry’s headquarters, in Juffair. Dr Buaneq said the 2013 survey would be used by authorities to come up with health policies.
strategies,” added Dr Buaneq. Public Health Under-Secretary Dr Mariam Al Jalahma said the last national health survey was conducted in 2007, when 2,037 people aged 20 to 64 were interviewed.
“Bahrain has adopted the World Health Survey methods to obtain health-related demographic, social and health data,” she said. “These are required to plan and deliver better health services in Bahrain.”
“The results of the 2007 survey showed that 14.3 per cent of the population were diabetic, 38.2 per cent had high blood pressure, 36 per cent were overweight and 40.6 per cent had high cholesterol levels,” she said. Dr Al Jalahama added that a lack of exercise combined with unhealthy lifestyles was a key problem identified in the previous survey.
“This important survey will help us diagnose health problems and gather information to draw up effective
Bahrain confirms it will ban private medical practice by public doctors Bahrain’s health officials have warned that a new rule banning doctors from working in both the public and private sectors will be introduced, quashing rumours that the plan has been scrapped. It was due to come into effect on April 1, but was delayed after HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa ordered a review, according to a report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication. The proposal was first mooted in June, 2011 and doctors were originally given until the end of last year to choose between public or private practice, but were then given an additional threemonth grace period. It was designed to improve government health services, reduce public sector waiting lists and combat unethical practices - such as doctors charging money from patients to fast-track their surgeries or other medical procedures. Delays in implementing the rule have
apparently sparked rumours that it was being scrapped altogether, but the Health Ministry yesterday issued a statement explaining that it was still going ahead. It added that the plan was being reviewed to ensure the best implementation, which included securing better salaries for doctors who give up their private clinics to remain in the public health sector. “The government is serious about implementing a proposal to ban government doctors from practising in the private sector,” the Health Ministry said. It said the plan was being studied in consultation with experts in various fields, including representatives of the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) which oversees government staff. “There is a lot being said, but we wish to reiterate the project is subject to further research and study,” added the www.middleeasthospital.com
statement. “The ministry has put up all the proposals regarding the issue for further scrutiny and review, in consultation with the competent authorities. The CSB is looking at increased remuneration for doctors working in the government sector to ensure continuity of service and best possible services for patients. “There are also discussions taking place on staffing plans in the government hospitals so that services are not affected after doctors leave to pursue their private practice.” The new rule has caused controversy in the health sector, with government doctors demanding salaries of BD7,000 ($18.465) a month to give up their private surgeries. Meanwhile, 35 of 81 doctors at Salmaniya Medical Complex refused to give up their private business to remain in the public sector. – TradeArabia News Service. July/August 2013 | 47
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News Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar and QOC join forces for health campaign Qatar Olympic Committee has become a strategic partner in Sahtak Awalan: Your Health First, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar’s health campaign. Sahtak Awalan’s goals are to encourage people to make positive lifestyle choices. The college’s campaign already has several high-profile partners, but the inclusion of QOC will bring sporting expertise of an international level. For QOC, the campaign is an opportunity to widen the outreach work it already does in encouraging people to lead active lives. H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General of QOC, said: “Through this strategic partnership with WCMC-Q, QOC will be able to contribute to building a healthy society. In fact, QOC and the Sahtak Awalan campaign have similar goals in that we both seek to promote the physical well-being of the individuals upon whom the future of our nation rests. “We are totally confident that by working together we can reach more people in Qatar, paving the road to healthy individuals who can contribute to Qatar National vision 2030,” H.E. added. As part of the new agreement, QOC will provide Sahtak Awalan with access to sports facilities and will collaborate with community activities, helping to inspire the nation – and future generations – to participate in sport and exercise. It is hoped top athletes to be ambassadors for Sahtak Awalan events, motivating others to follow in their footsteps. Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q, welcomed the partnership between the college and QOC. “This is tremendous news and can only have a posi-
H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani,Secretary General of QOC, and Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q. tive impact on the health of the population,” said Dr. Sheikh. “When two organizations come together for a common purpose the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts and I am confident that through working together we can do even more to create a healthy society able to contribute to a knowledge-based economy.” Through partnering with QOC, WCMC-Q hopes to be able to instill some of the Olympic spirit into its campaign and encourage participants in Sahtak Awalan to embrace that same www.middleeasthospital.com
spirit. QOC will provide support for the campaign at sports events and will allow Sahtak Awalan to reach more people, not just in Qatar but the wider GCC. Sahtak Awalan was launched in June 2012 with the aim of educating the population of Qatar about unhealthy lifestyle choices and encouraging them to take positive action. The five-year campaign is targeted at all nationalities living in the country but has a special focus on youth.mQOC will join strategic partners: The Supreme Council of Health, The Supreme Education Council, Qatar Petroleum, Occidental Qatar, ExxonMobil, and Vodafone Qatar. July/August 2013 | 48
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Events UK Government Advisor Calls For Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Testing to Reduce Road Deaths in The Middle East Consultant ENT surgeon Michael Oko, UK government advisor on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and founder of the Sleeping Disorders Centre, ran a seminar on sleeping disorders at the 10th Middle East Update in Otolaryngology on 23 April in Dubai. Mr Oko presented data on the morbidity of OSA, and revealed his experience of how treating it can reduce fatal car accidents, as evidenced in Lincolnshire, UK: “Because of a prolonged campaign about the condition and the better treatment options available after the Sleeping Disorders Centres were established, we have seen the rate of annual traffic fatalities in Lincolnshire fall from 79 to 39 within five years. At least any traffic accidents brought about by this condition can be minimised if more patients seek help. Studies show that up to 20% of road traffic accidents are sleep-related, so with over 1000 road deaths a year in UAE, and over 6300 in Saudi Arabia [2007 police data], a sleep apnoea testing and treatment programme could reduce fatalities significantly.” In the seminar Mr Oko also spoke about the history of OSA, and how it could be the future of ENT. He stated: “Obstructive Sleep Apnoea has been known about since 1956 and has been
predominantly the domain of respiratory physicians. There is now overwhelming evidence that this is a highly cost effective condition to treat, and as the definition of the condition is upper airway obstruction it is de novo the domain of ENT to lead the management of this condition in a multidisciplinary team approach. There have been consistent and multiple attacks on the evidence base for most ENT interventions (e.g. Tonsillectomy) and so to survive as a specialism we need to embrace OSA as our future.” OSA is a rising problem in the Gulf as obesity levels (the major risk factor for OSA) are reaching those of the US and Europe. Hard data is scarce due to a lack of awareness of the condition and scarcity of treatment facilities in the region, however, a study conducted at King Khalid University and King Fahd National Guard primary health care clinics in Riyadh, between December 2005 and March 2006, found that a third of middle-aged Saudi males taking part showed symptoms of sleep apnoea. Speaking alongside Mr Oko was Professor Ram Dhillon, giving; “Tips and pearls on practical aspects of sleep apnoea treatment”, and Peter J Catalano, who asked; “Nasal surgery for OSA: Always, sometimes, never?”. Also on the panel were Gerald Wolf and Ahmed Elbassiouny.
Michael Oko
2013 Topics • Allergic sino nasal disease. • Advances in endoscopic sinus and base of skull surgery and managing complications • New techniques in facialplastics and challenges in revision rhinoplasty • Recent advances in restoration of hearing • Balance disorders and management • Modern management of tinnitus • Eustachian tube plasty • Pediatric otolaryngology • Sleep disorders • Advances in head and neck surgery • Current concepts in evaluation and management of laryngeal disorders
www.me-oto.com www.middleeasthospital.com
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Events
August 2015 Oncology 2015 - World Congress on Cancer and Prevention Methods 27 – 29 August, 2015 scientificfuture.com/oncology-2015 The 5th Oman Health Exhibition & Conference
7 – 9 September, 2015Muscat, Oman www.omanhealthexpo.com
3rd International Oncology Conference 10 – 11 September, 2015Abu Dhabi, UAE
www.menaconf.com
Middle East Global Summit and Expo on Vaccines & Vaccination 28 – 30 September. 2015 Dubai, UAE vaccines.global-summit.com/middleeast Medicare Iraq 28 – 30 September, 2015Baghdad Patient Safety Middle East 2015
www.iraqmedicare.com
4 – 6 October, 2015Dubai, UAE
www.patientsafety-me.com
4th International Conference on Surgery 5 – 7 October, 2015 Dubai, UAE surgery.conferenceseries.com 7th Global Summit on Cancer Therapy 5 – 7 October, 2015 Dubai, UAE cancer.global-summit.com/ middleeast IMTEC 2015 7 – 8 October, 2015 Dubai, UAE www.medicaltravelexhibition.com AACE Third Clinical Congress & Gulf Chapter Annual Meeting - JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, UAE 29-31 October, 2015 www.AACE.gulf.org November 2015 6th Global Diabetes Summit and Medicare Expo 2 – 4 November, 2015 Dubai, UAE diabetesexpo.com/middleeast Pharma Middle East 2 – 4 November, 2015 Dubai, UAE
website/
Healthcare Investment MENA 2 – 4 November, 2015 Dubai, UAE www.healthcareinvestmentmena.com Global Summit & Expo on Dubai Healthcare 9 – 11 November, 2015 Dubai, UAE www.healthcare.global-summit.com
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