MIDDLE EAST HOSPITAL
The definitive guide to Hospitals and Healthcare in the Middle East
Medica 2015 Preview Mio the Worlds First Healthcare Tablet & Systems Solutions
Plinth 2000 expands in the Gulf The Third Clinical Congress & Gulf Chapter Annual Meeting
Sidhil expands its Profiling Bed Range Undoing the ticking Time Bomb in the Middle East by Laura Putnam CEO Motion Infusion
Sleeping Disorders Centre G-Hold Adam Rouilly JRT eCommerce Magnetodyn
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MEHSEPT/OCT2015
The Third Clinical Congress
& Gulf Chapter Annual Meeting JW Marriott Marquis
October 29-31, 2015
Dubai, UAE
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Editorial
Editor’s Introduction Welcome to the September/October 2015 issue of Middle East Hospital. Our cover feature for this issue is a profile of the Medica trade show. We also feature the worlds first new healthcare tablet the Mio
pg 3-9 Cover feature: Medica 2015 Preview pg 11-15 Social Media in Healthcare pg 17-19 UK Review: A new global health brand NHS to open Middle East franchises pg. 23-24 Special feature A mother’s right to health Maternal and child health in the Palestinian refugee camps of Lebanon
pg 25-26 Product focus: MioCARE tablet PC pg 27-31 Exclusive interview: Jeff Staples, CEO of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City pg. 32-33 Product focus: The Paxman Orbis scalp cooler pg. 34-36 Vital Balance Group health and lifestyle concept pg. 34-39 Undoing the Ticking Time Bomb in the Gulf Region By Laura Putnam, pg. 44-46 Understanding sleep apnoea Harley Street sleep expert Michael Oko pg. 49 G-Hold feature Mike Tanousis - Publisher Tel: 0044 1702 296776 Mobile: 0044 0776 1202468 miketanousis@middleeasthospital.com Skype: mike.tanousis1 Guy Rowland - Editor Mob: 0044 7909 088369 guyrowland@middleeasthospital.com Skype: guyrowland Twitter: @MEH_editor Chris Silk - Associate Publisher chrissilk@middleeasthospital.com
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Regional Director Abdullah Al Thari Armada Network – Healthcare Services Olaya, Mosa Bin Nosair Road Riyadh. Saudi Arabia Tel : +966 595 99 22 11 althari@gmail.com MEH Publishing & Trading Group 151 Church Rd Shoeburyness Essex. SS3 9EZ United Kingdom
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Joachim Schäfer, Managing director of Messe Düsseldorf To get to the top is difficult;, to stay at the top is even more difficult. Every athlete knows that and this also applies to the trade show business. In this way, defending the uncontested leading position of the world’s largest and internationally leading medical trade show, MEDICA in Düsseldorf, means downright physical exertion. Based on market analyses, trend research, suggestions made by industry experts and, last but not least, in open discussion with exhibitors, the MEDICA has been reformed successively at a conceptual level in recent years with new forums and accompanying conferences. The subject matter is being continuously adapted to the needs of specialist visitors and What applies to the MEDICA and COMPAMED also applies to exhibitors in close cooperation with committees involving the the market players of the medical technology industry. The only most important industry associations.
ones that stay at the top are those with creativity and a continuous level of agility conform to market interests and
A significant change also entails the results of intensive
developments.
evaluation of exhibitor and visitor surveys, as well as Global growth markets with challenges The initial situation in coordination with industry associations. It concerns the running medical technology and medical product market can be deemed
time of the MEDICA in addition to the supplier trade show, as good on a worldwide level. No matter which study performed taking place at the same time, COMPAMED. From this year on, by renowned consulting companies or industry associations this both events will run over the course of four days in parallel to is based on, further market development is expected. The basis each other, meaning on the new weekdays from Monday to for this has been provided for by rising health expenditures due
Thursdays this year from November 16th to the 19th . Focusing to the related demographic development, an overall rise in on the “normal” working days of the week (instead of health awareness as well as an increase in diseases of prosperity,
Wednesday to Saturday as has been the case up until now) will even in numerous emerging nations. For example, Deloitte make it possible to provide better guest distribution for the assumes that medical technology industry sales will rise from professional audience across the entire running time in the around currently 330 billion euros to around 470 billion euros future, enabling exhibitor presentations as well as their stand in 2020 (source: study “Healthcare and Life Sciences Predictions infrastructure to be utilized in a more consistent manner. 2020”).
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Regardless of an overall high orientation for innovation, providers see themselves facing a market in the state of upheaval. In hospitals, investment decisions are primarily made by medical boards, in which, in addition to doctors, those responsible for commercial aspects also have a heavy say. The latest equipment is only in demand if it truly signifies an optimum benefit that is deemed necessary for the treatment process. In addition to increasingly taking benefit into account from the perspective of the patient, the overall role of the patient is being taken more actively.
Digitalization of patients What started as mini-programs for smartphones and fitness armbands has developed into a mega-trend and will considerably shape treatment in the future, such as after an
As a logical consequence, the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM as part of the MEDICA 2014 will be celebrating its highly regarded premier with around 2,000 participants within the scope of primarily English presentations and is going to be continued this year as an important program highlight. A key thematic focus will be on what is an especially relevant question for the health systems on a transnational level: How can healthcare industry players be networked with each other using related technology solutions in a safe and simple manner while taking patients into consideration? In the process, mobile health applications are a primary focus, whereby, this year as well, the MEDICA app competition organized by Mark Wächter will be providing exciting ideas with regard to helpful mobile device applications
inpatient care at home for example. Physical data that is becoming more and more relevant on a medical level can literally be detected, processed and transmitted in the twinkling of an eye. The number of medical “apps” is rising on an almost daily basis. Experts currently assume that there are around 55,000 such apps (according to expert conferences at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Products, BfArM). And no matter if approval as a medical product in the combination of hardware and software exists, the health aware patients are the ones who are already handing the equipment and who are increasingly confronting their treating doctors with the data that has been collected on their own. This development will continue to intensify seeing that the benefit for patients just seems to be too appealing. Those who use, for example, their smartphones, tablet PCs or, in the future their smartwatches, for the organization of their daily routine will have to in fact rely on digital aids in their old age in order to be able to live at home in a self-determined manner for as long as possible. In light of this, medical technology providers will have to take up such trends. And also, the MEDICA has to be in line with its role as a trendsetter.
In the process, mobile health applications are a primary focus, whereby, this year as well, the MEDICA app competition organized by Mark Wächter will be providing exciting ideas with regard to helpful mobile device applications. In addition to the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM, the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM, which was established several years ago and has always been presenting innovations, is also reflecting trendy topics in the field of Heath IT. This is the primary emphasis in the broad field of telemedicine. MEDICA is undisputedly the leading market and information platform at an international level. In recent years, in order to also meet the needs of the international professional public i MEH Sept/Oct 2015 | 5
Also this year again, the MEDICA EDUCATION CONFERENCE that was first organized in 2014 by the German Society for Internal Medicine (DGIM), is offering an impressive interdisciplinary program. Key topics for the individual conference days provide for a clearly arranged content-related profile. Going by the conference motto “Science Meets Medical Technology”, the four daily topics have been selected in such a way that they result in a close integration with the trade show’s medical technological innovations. Key topics at this year’s MEDICA EDUCATION CONFERENCE include: Surgery and new operational techniques (16/11), imaging, endoscopy and interventions (17/11), geriatrics, nutritional medicine and palliative care (18/11) as well as infectiology, infection and laboratory medicine (19/11). With reference to the conference program, being oriented toward those interested, belonging to important target groups, MEDICA is also ensuring that what is being further offered will also be linked to the topics of the trade show. An example of this includes the 38th German Hospital Day, a leading event for the directors and management of German hospitals that, in addition to current political topics, sheds light on the topic of “practical issues”, e.g. aspects of hospital IT and human resource management. This year, the German Hospital Day will be complemented by the European Hospital Conference, which takes place every two years, being a gathering for top decision-makers from European hospitals for the purpose of exchanging their expertise. The conference for disaster and military medicine, DiMiMED, as well as the MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE (respectively on November 17th and 18th, 2015/ Congress Center Düsseldorf South), concerning prevention issues and sports medical treatment concepts must be noted. It has to do with conferences held in the English language that are geared for an international audience.
For high-level representatives from military ranks, MEDICA exhibitors are, for example, offering an abundance of solutions for very special issues – ranging from equipment for emergency treatment, telemedicine applications for the secure transfer of data between vehicles and military hospitals to a complete array of surgery equipment, all the way to customized turnkey building modules. The same is true of the “bridge building” between the MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE and the innovations being presented as part of the trade show. This is because modern performance diagnostics in terms of injury prevention can make use of technology that is more compact and used in close contact with the body. So-called wearables and smartwatches are on the rise. Sensors detect a great variety of vital signs that could be of relevance for sports medicine specialists providing treatment from a therapeutic point of view. Those making a round in hall 15 at the MEDICA will, for example, be quite convinced that the uncomfortable chest harness for collecting body parameters will soon already be obsolete in light of the presentations at the Wearable Technologies Show. Heart rate, oxygen saturation or body temperature can also be determined using fine sensors integrated into textiles, ear clips or plug-in attachments for smartphones. The MEDICA PHYSIO CONFERENCE organized by the Thieme Publishing House is also dedicated to trend topics. With its treatmentoriented presentations, it is directed toward the professional scene of physiotherapists, sports medicine specialists and orthopedists and is taking place this year on November 18th and 19th,/ Congress Center Düsseldorf South). Once again, approx. 4,800 exhibitors from more than 60 nations will use the MEDICA 2015 in order to present the entire range of new products, services and processes for inpatient and outpatient care on over 116,000 square meters of booked floor space. No other event worldwide even offers close to this abundance of innovations. In 2014, the two fairs welcomed a total of 130,000 specialist visitors, around 17,000 of whom were particularly interested in the topics covered by COMPAMED. This unique combination allows MEDICA and COMPAMED to represent the entire process chain and the full range of medical products, devices, and instruments. Together, they fill the whole Düsseldorf trade show complex (19 halls). Opening times: 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
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MEDICA is making innovations in ultrasound imaging a subject of discussion A diagnosis technique with a lot of potential – ultrasound elastography
For years, ultrasound procedures have attained great importance in the field of medicine and no stop of development of new methods and applications will be made for a long time. Just one example of this is elastography, a procedure with which, formulated generally, tissue elasticity can be assessed. This year, for example, the progress that has been made in ultrasound procedures and other imaging methods will be a key topic at the MEDICA this year, the world's largest medical trade fair with around 4800 exhibitors, as well as the accompanying MEDICA EDUCATION CONFERENCE. The MEDICA 2015 will be held from 16 to 19 November in DĂźsseldorf, from this year on, running from Monday to Thursday for the first time. Assessing the elasticity of pathological alterations by palpating and touching with the hand is thousand years old. Whether diseased organs such as the prostrate or liver are harder or softer than is considered "normal" and if, for example, a lump in the breast is "hard" is traditional knowledge in the field of medicine. Today, doctors have more available than their own hands in order to assess and measure the mechanical characteristics of an organ, such as
For example, modern options include ultrasound elastography (USE) and magnet resonance elastography (MRE), with which conventional imaging diagnostics (e.g. for liver fibrosis) can be expanded. In particular, the advantages of USE include that it is available as an inexpensive, quick, non-invasive and a clinically easy procedure. An ultrasound elastography procedure that has been available for a longer period of time includes so-called transient elastography, with which, in particular, the extent of fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver can be detected (S2k guideline: Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (version from January 2015, first edition, AWMF register no. 021-025). In the process, the sonic head sends a lowfrequency wave with a propagation velocity of 1 m/s. The speed of the impulse wave generated within the liver's tissue is measured using ultrasound. The harder and more inelastic the tissue is, the quicker the waves run through it, thereby deforming the tissue. Formulated in a different manner: The higher the propagation velocity, the higher the degree of fibrosis is. Along the same lines as transient elastography, shear waves are also used in the case of another procedure for assessing elasticity. The benefit of these procedures, for example the "Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging" (Siemens) or the "ElastPQ shear wave elastography� (Phillips), entails their integration into routine ultrasound devices. In a single process step, conventional monographic images and quantitative information on the elasticity of tissue or an organ can be obtained.
elasticity.
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In particular, the extent of fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver can be detected (S2k guideline: Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (version from January 2015, first edition, AWMF register no. 021-025). In the process, the sonic head sends a low-frequency wave with a propagation velocity of 1 m/s. The speed of the impulse wave generated within the liver's tissue is measured using ultrasound. The harder and more inelastic the tissue is, the quicker the waves run through it, thereby deforming the tissue. Formulated in a different manner: The higher the propagation velocity, the higher the degree of fibrosis is. Along the same lines as transient elastography, shear waves are also used in the case of another procedure for assessing elasticity. The benefit of these procedures, for example the "Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging" (Siemens) or the "ElastPQ shear wave elastography” (Phillips), entails their integration into routine ultrasound devices. In a single process step, conventional monographic images and quantitative information on the elasticity of tissue or an organ can be obtained.
One area of application of USE particularly includes diffuse liver diseases. Here, the non-invasive procedure can, in part, replace liver biopsies or provide further information in the case of unclear biopsy results. "Up until this point, liver puncture was considered a golden standard for assessing the progression of liver disease," said the gastroenterologist, Mireen Friedrich-Rust (Frankfurt on Main University Clinic). “Numerous studies have shown that ultrasound elastography can assess the course of the disease just as good as analysing a tissue sample and is also reliable for diagnosing liver fibrosis” European guidelines on chronic hepatitis C recommend elastography for assessing the stage of liver fibrosis and for monitoring purposes in the case of patients that could not be treated successfully. Doctors still only have to take tissue samples on an individual basis – in order to clarify and confirm the diagnosis of if a tumour is at hand. Furthermore: A liver biopsy only screens approximately 1/50,000 of the entire liver tissue and is therefore representative to a limited extent. Friedrich Rust explained that, on the contrary, with elastography, a section of the liver that is approximately 100 times larger can be screened and, at the same time, a normal ultrasound examination can be carried out with the very same machine. Furthermore, USE could also become an option for intra-operative diagnostics in the case of liver tumours, meaning, also here, expanding the intra-operative ultrasound diagnostics already being used (Ultrasonography 2015 Apr 6. doi: 10.14366/usg.15014.). MEH Sept/Oct 2015 | 8
In the meanwhile, USE is not only an option for adult patients with liver diseases but also for children with chronic liver diseases, such as children with Wilson's disease, cystic fibrosis or Îą1-antitrypsin deficiency as well as congenital changes of the bile ducts. A potential asset in the case of numerous diseases Furthermore, USE is not limited to the diagnosis of liver diseases. Ultrasound elastography can compliment conventional sonography with further information and improve ultrasound diagnosis in the case of numerous diseases, as was concluded by radiologists of the Harvard Medical School (Boston) in a current article on sonoelastography (Abdom Imaging 2015; 40(4):709 22). The diseases for which the use of USE is being researched to aid in their diagnosis include tumours of
procedure is in the trial phase for assessing placenta function and also varicoceles (Andrologia. 2015 May 25 doi: 10.1111/ and.12440). Similar in importance to Doppler sonography in the future? "However, ultrasound-based elastography procedures also have limits," emphasised the authors of the current overview article on USD the field of gastroenterology (World Journal of Gastroenterology 2015; 21(16): 4809 - 4816). This includes a strong dependency on the respective examiner, sometimes lacking reproducibility of results and a lack of standardisation. Therefore, a consensus has been achieved that elastography will not mean an end to fine-needle biopsies. However, despite existing limitations, US elastography is a developing technique with great future potential, from which it can be assumed that during the course of further development, it will become similar in importance to the Doppler technique. This had been recently stated by authors of a guideline of the "World Federation For Ultrasound In Medicine And Biology� (Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology 2015; 41 (5): 1126 - 1179).
the prostrate, pancreas and breast, among other things.
Furthermore, elastography can be or will become an option for patients with chronic enteritis. This year, CharitĂŠ scientists around Professor Daniel C. Baumgart
Information on the conference are continually updated and accessible online at: http://www.medica.de/mec1. Author: Dr. med. Thomas Kron,
reported that in the case of patients with Crohn's disease, pathologically altered intestinal tissue could be reliably identified. This was shown by a study that appeared in the specialist journal "Radiology" in June of this year (DOI: http:// dx.doi.org/10.1148/radiol.14141929). Use of these methods could help in the future to objectify the success of medicine treatment or determine the optimum point of time for an operation, as was stated in the Berlin scientists' conclusions. The procedure is also being researched for the case of heart diseases, for example, to
assess diastolic functional disorders, and also in the case of thyroid diseases such as tumours and autoimmune diseases, among other things. Furthermore, the
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Middle East Hospital
Social Media in Healthcare: Making the Case “Take Two Aspirin And Tweet Me In The Morning”.This is how Dr Jay Parkinson and many other techno savvy physicians use social media for interacting with their patients. Dr. Jay Parkinson, the Brooklynbased primary care physician who has been referred as the “The Doctor of the Future” and one of the “Top Ten Most Creative People in Healthcare” formed “Hello Health” – the paperless, concierge practicethat deploys web-based secure social media network and electronic medical record enabling doctors to communicate, document, and transact with their patients in person and online via email, IM, and video chat, twitter, facebook etc. Welcome to the world of SOCIAL HEALTHCARE. Social networking on the internet are empowering, engaging, and educating health care consumers and providers. While consumers use social networks like personal blogging, wikis, video-sharing, and other formats — for emotional support, they also heavily rely on them to manage health conditions. Social networks represent a brave new world for healthcare. It offers a platform to individuals to communicate quickly, easily, broadly and inexpensively. Healthcare and social media Growing Use in Healthcare Can you really shop for by-pass surgery the way you shop for a tie? Will the successful pharma
practice of direct to consumer marketing work in other forms of healthcare? How can healthcare delivery practitioners prepare for consumer-driven selection?
recommend doctors, even sending other members a virtual hug, while clinicians connect to share information and learn from each other.
Marketers, advertisers, and PR professionals across the spectrum of healthcare will be impacted by these questions as social media threat and opportunities come to healthcare. Social media have revolutionized the healthcare industry and is quickly becoming the preferred resource for individuals seeking healthcare information.
Hospitals all over the world are using social mediaas a marketing and communications tool to educate, publicize, entertain and otherwise trying to establish themselves as the go-to place for customers in need. With a Face book fan page, patients are regularly updated on the day to day developments, while a YouTube account are used to upload educational videos, similarly Twitter account is used to link to the latest press releases or the use of educational blogs about specific ailments.
Patients turn to social networking groups to find others who are battling the same diseases (for patients preparing for the same type of surgery, following the tweets helps demystify the process and ideally reduces anxiety about upcoming operations.), share advice,
It’s even further used for scheduling appointments, appointment reminders, practice updates, or public health notifications. Sept/Oct 2015 | 13
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Some organizations use social media to promote wellness and sponsor online support forums where individuals who are dealing with chronic health issues or catastrophic conditions can find support from others who are having similar experiences. Many organizations use social media to encourage philanthropy. By publicizing their services, promoting patient advocacy, displaying credentials, and describing the tangible and intangible community benefits they provide, organizations can encourage benefactors to invest in their mission. Some healthcare organizations are beginning to recognize the potential impact of
leveraging social media channels to complement recruitment and training efforts. They advertise their available positions and also search social media sites to determine the integrity and trustworthiness of potential hires. Healthcare Marketing – The Social Way As with all businesses, medical practices face stiff competition and budgetary constraints and must differentiate themselves by portraying value and quality to their prospective clients. With the increasing cost of healthcare and a growing number of available hospitals as options, more than ever, it’s essential for hospitals and health providers to rethink
their healthcare marketing mix to include social media. Given the statistics on healthcare consumers growing reliance on the internet, it should come as no surprise that physicians are beginning to adopt social media. Beyond communicating with patients and potential patients, a number of physicians are using online resources and social networks to collaborate with colleagues, to research potential diagnoses for patients and to enhance their medical knowledge.Social media has emerged as a powerful and effective tool for hospitals and healthcare organizations to stay on top of patients’ mind and
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Social Media in Healthcare maintain contact and relationships with other medical professionals, patients, and the general public. The network effectof social media can cause “word of mouth” epidemics unlike anything that caregivers have ever seen before. Social media are just the way word of mouth happens in the 21st century.It’snothing more than word-of-mouth extended into the electronic world. Hospitals and Healthcare units are realizing that word-of-mouth is the most significant driver to influence patients and so social media offers an opportunity to humanize what can be a scary, complex situation. One of the most famous healthcare facilities globally, the 118-year-old Mayo Clinic, is using social media tactics right from its inception. When Dr. Will Mayo and Dr. Charles Mayo built Mayo Clinic through collaboration with the Sisters of St. Francis, it was relatively unusual for patients to survive a hospital stay. Quite often they succumbed not to the underlying ailment but to an infection resulting from surgery.
building Mayo's brand for more than a hundred year. People come to Mayo, have a good experience, go home and tell others about it. We see social media as the 21st Century version of word of mouth. We're talking to the whole world, potentially." It is also important for the healthcare industry to have a sizable online presence to ensure
that consumers aren’t misled by faulty information, like for Mayo clinic’s it all started initially & partlyto keep others from “squatting” on the name and posing as Mayo Clinic. Although a majority of marketers have embraced online social media and user-generated content efforts, the rise in social
The Mayo brothers and the Franciscan sisters pioneered aseptic surgical techniques which meant that many more patients lived to tell their stories. And when they went home, they spread the word about their experience. According to Lee Aase, Mayo Clinic's Manager of syndication and social media – “Word of mouth has been a crucial part of
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networking and health-care blogging has sparked a nascent movement to set standards and guidelines that include conflictsof-interest disclosure and privacy protection for "open media" in health care. The challenge with social media is to take advantage of the opportunity without crossing any important professional and legal boundaries. American Medical Association created a policy about professionalism in the use of social media. Its guidelines include: maintaining standards of confidentiality; using privacy settings to safeguard personal information; and maintaining appropriate boundaries of the patient-physician relationship. In addition, the guidelines suggest
that physicians bring any perceived unprofessional content on behalf of their colleagues to their attention and, if the colleagues do not take action, to bring the matter to the appropriate authorities. Lastly, the guidelines advise physicians that their actions online may negatively affect their reputations and medical career. Conclusion For marketers in any industry— from manufacturing to real estate to banking, and everything in between—making the business case for social mediais very imperative. Corporations globally, from Starbucks to Dell, are using social media to reach customers, although hospitals have always been conservative in marketing to
patients. But there is a growing number of healthcare organizations leveraging social media as more than a marketing and communications tool. They embrace social media as an "innovation catalyst" and deploy more collaborative models that foster broader engagement and knowledge sharing among patients, providers and trusted institutions. While the industry has taken a giant leap forward into the brave new social media world, but the reality is we've only scratched the surface of what is yet to come. An inherent problem with the “buzz” from social media is that there is no way to rank their importance, and so they tend to be handled first‐in‐first‐out, if at all. Sept/Oct 2015
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But the biggest mistake hospitals make is confusing social media with one-way communication tools. Some hospitals have hundreds or thousands of people signed up to follow them on Twitter but only follow back a handful. Or they use Facebook to push out press releases and other information about their organization and to drive traffic back to their own Web site without showing any interest in what others are talking about. Any advertising that encourages increased resource use and increases the costs of care is inherently in conflict with ethical medical care but social media offers an effective way of promoting your business and supporting any existing marketing activities at no extra cost. But Social Media should always be a complementary part of marketing mix. In order for a hospital to be effective at Facebook or Twitter, someone needs to be there at all times to respond. But also there’s no onesize-fits-all answer for social media. Not every social media approach is appropriate for every hospital or health care organization. One need to find the right mix that works, more importantly, figuring out how to communicate therapeutically during social media interactions. Just because a hospital is on Facebook doesn't mean that they are building a meaningful Facebook experience for both the hospital and the patient. Whether
you are looking to increase patient traffic to your office, enhance your reputation in the community, or just want to supplement your other marketing efforts, in order to realize the maximum benefit from social media marketing, it is important to strike a balance between excitement for the potential it holds as a marketing and information gathering resources versus the potential risks the medium represents given the public nature of the much of the information that is being shared in these online communities. People may say bad things about the facility—true or not—that can damage its reputation. At the same time, people may say very good things that can promote the facility. Learning to highlight the positives and manage the negatives is imperative for any organization embarking on social media. It's even more challenging is tomeasure the ROI from Social Media initiatives. While real relationships are a valuable way to measure your social media ROI, measuring the success of a new marketing campaign should include the number of eyeballs, shakes and finger swipes, the number of blogs, articles, tweets and digs, the number of conversions, calls, responsesand recommendations. Social media has become an undeniable force, and its rapid, informal communication style represents both possibility and liability for healthcare
organizations. Good policies and training help organizations pursue the benefits and mitigate the risks. Social media, if designed well, managed correctly, and supported by the system, could optimize both patient and provider experiences. But patients and providers need to live together in this space (and be supported by the system) to ensure social media is a cure and not a CURSE. About the author Praveen Pillai is a Health care management professional with over 11 years of progressive experience in both national & international market. He 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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A New Global Health Brand
The UK National Health Service to Open Middle East Franchises
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UK Health Care Review Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) plans to sell its brand rights around the world, including to the oil-rich Middle East, as part of a new venture to boost income. The venture may see well-known hospitals such as Great Ormond Street become a worldwide franchise. A joint 'Healthcare UK' scheme by the Department of Health and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the Government department which encourages investment overseas, will aim to link NHS hospitals with foreign governments which want access to UK health services. The scheme, which is due to launch this year, would see investment drawn from hospitals’ work with private patients in the UK with profits reinvested in the NHS. The proposal is inspired by medical facilities in the US, such as the Cleveland clinic (who manage Sheik Khalifa Medical City and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi) and John Hopkins, who have helped build and improve overall healthcare delivery in the UAE by assisting with management and oversight of three of the UAE’s major hospitals -- Tawam Hospital, Corniche Hospital, and Al Rahba Hospital. The government pointed to British medical services that are already working in several Middle Eastern countries. Moorfields Eye Hospital operates a branch in Dubai while Imperial College London formed a joint venture with Mubadala, Abu Dhabi government’s investment vehicle, for a diabetes centre in 2006. Senior executives from
Internationally, healthcare is worth an estimated $4 trillion, according to Stout, who said that the scheme could see the NHS "help bring in some of that income to both support the NHS locally and UK plc ... as something that generates income as well as generates spend." Healthcare and infrastructure law expert Barry Francis of Pinsent Masons, said that the proposals – the South East Coast Ambulance although not without risk – repreTrust also recently visited Libya sented a "good opportunity" to where the post-Gaddafi regime is improve NHS finances and further rebuilding its health service. Other promote UK expertise: potential markets include India, China and Brazil. "Private patient ventures within the NHS in the UK generate revenues Anne Milton, a UK Health Minister, and sophisticated joint venture said: “This is also good news for models such as those used by The the economy which will benefit Christie Hospital and HCA Interfrom the extra jobs and revenue national in Manchester point created by our highly successful the way to generating revenues life sciences industries as they to benefit the NHS and enhance trade more across the globe. The expertise rather than damage the NHS has a world-class reputation, interests of NHS patients," he said. and this exciting development will make the most of that to deliver "In times of austerity a public real benefits for both patients and sector instinct may be to concentaxpayers.” trate on cuts in service, but the potential for expansion outside the In response to criticisms that this UK represents a much more optinew scheme would detract from mistic approach - how to increase patient care in the UK, deputy revenues and maximise the use of chief executive David Stout of resource to everyone's benefit." member body the NHS Federation said: "We've often had international He added that there was an "appecompanies, organisations and tite for UK expertise" around the countries come in to talk about the world including Asia Pacific and NHS, about how could we help, but the Gulf, as more countries sought we have never been very system- to treat patients in more sophistiatic about how we respond to those cated 'local' hospitals rather than opportunities. This is not about send patients to the UK, Germany distorting what the NHS offers to or USA for treatment. UK citizens, this is about how we can exploit the brand of the NHS Hospitals with the most to gain internationally." from the initiative would be those www.middleeasthospital.com
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UK Health Care Review
since the concept was developed, the surplus income generated has always been reinvested in healthcare services, for the benefit of NHS patients. There is no reason Healthcare UK will act as a consul- why a programme that has proved tant for hospitals and poten- so successful within our own shores tial overseas, the body will also can’t be replicated on an internarepresent private healthcare firms tional scale.” such as Bupa, and drug companies including GlaxoSmithKline. The Middle East is seen an ideal Commenting on reports that NHS region for NHS expansion due to hospitals are to be encouraged the combination of the big healthto establish centres of excellence care challenges facing these counabroad, Andrew Hine of KPMG tries, and the high levels of state investment. said: "already recognised internationally as centres of expertise" such as Great Ormond Street Hospital or the Royal Marsden.
people suffering from diabetes in the MENA region is expected to double from 366m in 2011 to 552m by 2030, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Four of the Gulf states are ranked amongst the world’s top ten fattest nations with Kuwait the second fattest country in the world behind the United States, according to a research report published by BMC Public Health last month.
Saudi Arabia has earmarked US$73bn for building hospitals and healthcare centres in the kingdom “The precedent for exporting the Governments in the GCC are over a four year period while expertise of the NHS has existed for spending billions of dollars on Abu Dhabi has partnered with some time, as many of the health improving healthcare facili- the Cleveland Clinic to improve services offered have long been ties amid a rising rate of lifestyle healthcare conditions within the used to treat patients privately, diseases such as diabetes, obesity emirate. within the shores of the UK. Ever and heart disease. The number of www.middleeasthospital.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, Suffolkbased 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 safe work-ing 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 Bari-atric Gynae Chair has up-rated electronic height ad-justment, 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 adjust-ment 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 the option of a hands-free footswitch. The chair also automatically reclines to a fully horizontal position, for patient recovery in emergency situa-tions.Hardwearing, antimicrobial and flame retardant vinyl upholstery, suitable for cleaning and disinfecting with proprietary solutions, pro-vides 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, robust 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 ma-ternity 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 unri-valled lifetime warranty on the frame mechanism and no-quibble unconditional 5-year guarantee on all components, in-cluding accidental damage other than upholstery. www.plinth2000.com Visit Plinth 2000 at Medica Hall 4 H50
Middle East Hospital magazine
Special feature
A Mother’s Right to Health Maternal and child health in the Palestinian refugee camps of Lebanon
The expectation of a baby brings excitement and joy, but for refugees living in Lebanon, the birth of a new born baby can cause anxiety, stress and deep sorrow. Six decades after the first waves of refugees crossed the border into Lebanon, a quarter of a million Palestinians still remain in dilapidated, overcrowded camps with no right to work, education or health care. The conditions and services for safe birth are inadequate as mothers are forced to give birth in unsafe conditions with little medical assistance. According to a recent UNRWA survey, people living in the camps are suffering from severe poverty with unemployment rates at 56%, food insecurity levels at 58% and 15% of the population affected by severe
food shortages. All of these factors greatly impact maternal and child heath. This is why MAP’s Maternal and Child Health programme of home visiting, bringing health care right into the heart of the community, is so important. For the mothers that we work with, it is a lifeline. Palestinian refugees reside in twelve UN camps and many unreg-
“This project was like a gift to me. I have had a very bad experience during my previous pregnancy which ended with the death of my baby.” istered gatherings across Lebanon. Over the years, the camps have become haphazard slums. Children are born into a world where opportunities are scarce and their earliest days are too often compromised by poor health. UNRWA is the main provider of primary health care, but their clinic based services are hugely overstretched.
What’s more UNRWA is currently struggling with a $103m deficit in its operational budget. This chronic underfunding limits the agency’s ability to retain and motivate staff. MAP’s targeted intervention aims to ease the burden in UNRWA’s clinics and fill the gaps for mothers and their new born babies. To try to minimize the risks faced by pregnant women and their infants, MAP has introduced teams of community midwives and nurses who visit mothers and babies in their homes every day.
Time is essential for understanding the risks that expectant mother may face in the camp. An average appointment at the UN Mother and Baby clinic is just five minutes, Doctors in these clinics are seeing while MAP’s midwives are able to an average of 107 patients per day spend up to an hour with a mothas opposed to the recommended er, allowing space for problems and 70. One Palestinian interviewed solutions to be shared. in Lebanon described UNRWA as providing “partial primary health- One of the mothers from the camps told MAP her story: care that is overloaded”. www.middleeasthospital.com
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Special feature “This project was like a gift to me. I have had a very bad experience during my previous pregnancy which ended with the death of my baby. I had a very difficult pregnancy and I gave birth at 7 months. I discovered later on that I had pre-eclampsia. The baby stayed in neonatal intensive care unit in Rahhal Hospital but didn’t survive. My experience was horrific. “The hospital called me to inform me that my baby died and when I went to take her I found her in a cardboard box on the floor. They gave her to me as if they are giving me a dead cat. The baby’s bottom was also a crimson-red as though they used the same nappies over and over again. After I saw this I collapsed and I had to be hospitalized. After this experience I was traumatized. When I got pregnant again I didn’t know about MAP’s project. My neighbor told her midwife about me and 2 days later they visited me. I told them that I previously had a difficult pregnancy and they visited me once a month. I had pre-eclampsia and hypertension. The midwife kept very close follow-up. I am very thankful that the midwife was here. When I get sick I didn’t usually go to the doctor, I used to wait for my sickness to go away. The midwife told me the importance in not doing this. The most important thing the midwife did for me was on the day I gave birth. It was the time for her visit and I told her that I was experiencing severe stomach aches.
I didn’t understand what was happening and I didn’t want to go to the doctor. “She encouraged me to go to the hospital where I discovered that I was in labor. There was no way that I would have known this without her. I wish I had her support during my previous pregnancy. I didn’t know anything about pregnancy
“Over the last year MAP has provided access to outreach nursing support through over 6500 home visits to 1347 Palestinian refugee women and their infants. across two of the largest refugee camps in Lebanon.”
Whilst the world’s attention remains focused on the Middle East and the ongoing events of the Arab Spring, the situation of these Palestinian families, hidden in the midst of the struggle for rights and freedom, has been forgotten.
To campaign for change, it will take a collective voice of those who believe that every child deserves a chance in life and every mother has the right to see her child thrive. In before. Maybe my baby would still the meantime, a simple programme of home visiting can help to ensure be alive if she had been there. that mothers and infants can access “Over the last year MAP has pro- their right to health in an environvided access to outreach nursing ment where so many other rights support through over 6500 home are denied. visits to 1347 Palestinian refugee women and their infants across www.map-uk.org two of the largest camps in Lebanon. Unfortunately, social determiSara Halimah nants of poor maternal and child Medical Aid for Palestinians health such as early marriage, coninfo@map-uk.org sanguineous marriage, insufficient +44 (0) 207 226 4114 birth spacing and domestic violence are still very common.” www.middleeasthospital.com
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MAP will continue to deliver their services. However the root of the problem remains. The women and children of the camps need and deserve a longterm solution.
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Product focus
MioCARE
The first medical tablet PC MioCARE, which was launched on 5 September 2012, is the first medical tablet PC. It was designed by MiTAC International Corp., MitTAC Informational Corp., and National Yang-Ming University. It is equipped with 320 million pixels camera, 6-inch touch screen, and wifi. Julian Stone, EMEA Business Developer – Healthcare, told MEH, “MioCARE is selling quickly in all types of medical facilities in Europe, from fertility clinics to funeral homes. We have just signed a cooperation agreement in Kuwait, and are looking for distributors in the Middle East region.” MioCARE has three medical systems. The first is the long-term care system. There are a lot of longterm care assessment scales in the system such as comprehensive geriatric assessment, activity of daily living, and instrumental activity of daily living. The second is the haemodialysis care system. The staff of haemodialysis centre can record the vital signs of patients in the MioCARE, and the manager can over view all of patients’ vital signs. The third is the chemotherapy drug delivery system. Medical staff can use MioCARE’s camera to read bar code of the patient and his medicine for making sure the patient follows his prescription, and they can use it to read the patients’ prescription.
Mr Stone explains, “MioCARE has three core functions such as reading & writing, reminding staff, and checking prescriptions. Firstly, medical staff can read or write information on MioCARE. Secondly, MioCARE can remind medical staff to follow the SOP or to deliver medicine to patients. Thirdly, medical staff can use MioCARE to quickly make sure the patient follows his prescription.
Pocket medical tablets
MioCARE 6290 continues Mio’s line of pocket one-hand-carry-size tablets. With a thickness of only 13 mm, 99.8 mm width, and a 5.88inch screen, MioCARE 6290 is a “When medical staff implement handy, powerful and durable tool some of the MioCARE features, it to enhance the work environment prevents the necessity for paper- of any of today’s medical profeswww.middleeasthospital.com
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work. MioCARE enables medical staff to receive real-time information, and it can be sterilized by 75% alcohol. I think these are core advantages in a medical market.”
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Product focus sionals. Equipped with a built-in barcode scanner, which integrates barcode and QR code reader functions, MioCARE 6290 provides the user with a better solution for inputting and cataloging a patient’s identity and medical history. Furthermore, MioCARE 6290 combines leading-edge hardware design and customizable medical-use software to create an improved mobile device concept – Patient Safety Decision Support. Medical professionals can rely on the handheld device to assess patient’s physical status quickly and conveniently. This year, the 2012 Computex BestChoice committee honored Mio by awarding the company’s new professional tablet Best Choice of the Year in the IPC and Embedded Product category. MiTAC profile Over the past thirty years, MiTAC has evolved into a multinational organisation offering R&D, design, manufacturing, assembly, marketing and solution services, covering the full range of electronics manufacturing services. MiTAC moved into creating products for the healthcare sector two years ago. Rather than create bespoke final solutions Mio works with existing providers to solve common problems. The result is suite of options and possibilities allowing rapid, dependable deployment. A leader in the global ICT industry, MiTAC International Corp. was founded in 1982 and began operations in the Hsinchu Science Park
(HCSP), Taiwan; the first system manufacturer in HCSP. In 1990, MiTAC was listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. With its global brands including Mio, Magellan, Navman, and TYAN, MiTAC also distributes GPS and server products worldwide. To meet the demands of the ‘cloud’, MiTAC has developed a comprehensive range of cloud computing products, with a focus on enterprise products, terminal products and smart www.middleeasthospital.com
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handheld devices. With its rich experience in global operations, MiTAC listens to consumer needs and analyses industrial trends; with the capacity to provide customers a multifaceted integrated service and organizational flexibility, MiTAC provides customers and markets with the most appropriate electronics products and services. www.mitac.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Exclusive Interview
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
New SKMC CEO, Jeff Staples, outlines his vision for Abu Dhabi Encompassing several ‘Centers of Excellence’, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, managed by Cleveland Clinic, serves as the flagship institution for SEHA's healthcare system. It is governed by its commitment to practice modern medicine to the same high standards as the best medical facilities in the world. SKMC’s comprehensive health care services cater to the needs and priorities of the Abu Dhabi community, ensuring not only optimal levels of patient care and satisfaction but also promoting general health and well-being through education and awareness.
International (JCI). Additionally, SKMC manages a 125 bed Behavioral Sciences Pavilion, six Family Medicine Clinics, two Urgent Care Centers and two Dental Centers located within the city of Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Khalifa Medical City was created in 2005 as a result of the merger of all publicly held healthcare organizations in Abu Dhabi island.
The new healthcare conglomerate adopted the brand of the newest facility, “Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center”, and changed the name from Center to City, to reflect the true nature of the new organizaSheikh Khalifa Medical City tion. Following the merger, SKMC consists of a 568 bed Acute Care underwent a series of transforHospital, 14 Outpatient Specialty mational events to strengthen Clinics and a Blood Bank, all the merger. In 2007, SKMC came accredited by Joint Commission under the management of Clevewww.middleeasthospital.com
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land Clinic, which is heralded as one of the top hospitals in the United States. The following year, SKMC received Joint Commission International Accreditation. In 2009, SKMC changed its logo to reflect the relationship between SKMC and Cleveland Clinic. Jeff Staples, MD, MBA was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of SKMC in September 2011. He has 15 years of healthcare management experience and having spent much of his time in Asia is used to living and working in a multicultural environment. Dr Staples obtained his medical degree from Columbia University, New York and his MBA from San Francisco State University. Prior to coming to SKMC, Dr Staples was the Group Senior Vice President MEH Sept/Oct 2012 | 28
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Exclusive interview
for Asia Pacific Health Partners, responsible for Medical Operations and Medical Quality. He also held several executive positions at Parkway Health (the largest publically-listed medical provider in Asia and the Middle East) and International SOS (the World’s largest Medical and Security Assistance Company). MEH recently spoke to Dr Staples about about SKMC and its services: “SKMC is the largest hospital in the country, with 750 beds, owned by SEHA and managed by Clevelend Clinic. We are the major tertiary care centre in the country and view ourselves as the safety net of the country. Being the major referral centre for the country we receive all the most complex cases other hospitals can’t manage. We
are a general hospital, a chest pain centre, a major trauma centre, and a referral centre. All the major treatment areas covered here except women’s health.
cases due to high level of consanguinuity in the population. This leads to a very high incidence of significant congenital malformation in children, including complex cardiac defects. My vision for the “We have a very active pedi- future is to ensure we remain a atric cardiac surgery programme, paediatric centre of excellence and dealing with extremely complex strengthen our paediatric services so we become a tertiary referral “Being the major refer- centre of excellence for the entire ral centre for the country region. There will be a new hospital opening in Abu Dhabi at the end we receive all the most of 2013 called Cleveland Clinic complex cases other hos- Abu Dhabi (CCAD), in partnerpitals can’t manage. We ship with Mubadala, as a private hospital. When this happens there are a general hospital, a will be a split in services between chest pain centre, a ma- SKMC and CCAD, but we are not jor trauma centre, and a sure what that will be at this time.”
referral centre.”
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Asked what progress he has seen in healthcare provision in Abu Dhabi MEH Sept/Oct 2012 | 29
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Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Dr Staples said: “Health is changing extremely rapidly in AD, probably the most dynamic healthcare environment I’ve ever seen. The split of the old GAHS into 3 components (HAAD, SEHA and Daman) saw the emirate change from a fully subsidised healthcare system under one body to a payer-based system with 3 pillars: regulator, payer, and provider. “Since then there has been the restructuring of the entire licensing and regulatory process, implementation of a US-style ICD9 coding and billing system, and migration to payment by Diagnostic Related Group (DRG). All these immense changes have taken place over only a few years, meaning that hospitals have had to adapt quickly; creating a billing and coding mechanism; training staff etc. This has provided us with a huge and ongoing challenge as an institution, it is nevertheless a very impressive project.” MEH asked Dr Staples what achievements he was most proud of at SKMC: “Last year SKMC obtained Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation for its Main Hospital (Surgical and Medical Pavilions), Outpatient Specialty Clinics, Khalidiya Urgent Care Center and Abu Dhabi Blood Bank. Other SKMC facilities are aiming for JCI accreditation in the next few years. Only one area for improvement was identified, making it one of the best ever international inspections by JCI. We also received the College of American Pathologists certification for our laboratory, the first hospital in the country to achieve this.
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Abu Dhabi deals with a large number of emergency cases with 817,000 in 2010. SEHA bears the biggest burden in terms of receiving over 69% of the total emergency cases in Abu Dhabi.
The area of the new ED is three times more than the old ER, that would allow physicians to effectively see patients as the American model to segregate the critical cases from the normal cases has been adopted in order to determine the SKMC was also awarded recog- level of disease, and assure that nition as a Cycle III Chest Pain patients are being seen at the area Center, the first outside the United designated for their cases. States and only the 12th worldwide. Last year we opened a new paedi- Abu Dhabi deals with a large atric Emergency Department (ED) number of emergency cases with and in August 2012 opened a new 817,000 in 2010 according to the general ED, increasing the number annual report of HAAD. SEHA of ER beds in the hospital to 79.” bears the biggest burden in terms of receiving most emergency cases This is a new ED facility and not with a percentage exceeding 69% an extension for the existing ER, out of the total emergency cases which was completely recon- in Abu Dhabi, and more than 81% structed and provides more space among UAE nationals. SKMC alone to treat patients. There are six received 29,496 emergency cases in specialised areas that include the 2011, 1348 of which were admitted triage, registration of patients and due to motor vehicle accidents. www.middleeasthospital.com
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a room for procedures. Moreover, there are 43 treatment rooms and a room for the critical cases, so the total is 56 rooms including two rooms for psychiatry patients.
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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
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29/07/2013 16:37:49
Middle East Hospital magazine
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Trying to increase the number of the local population in the workforce is a key issue in Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general. Asked about the hospital’s Emiratisation policy Dr Staples explained: “There are two components to this; getting young people in to the workplace and giving them a profession; and developing career paths for our Emirati employees and cultivating the future healthcare leaders of the country. For example, if we have an Emirati manager we will do a learning needs assessment and a career path development plan, to take them from manager to of prescription drugs, regardless of director, and so on. which hospital or clinic holds their details. “We also have an Emiratisation committee helping us to iden- The iCare system has been proven tify things we can do to help our to improve efficiencies, secure Emirati employees, listening to patient information and maintain them and addressing their needs patient privacy, while encouraging and concerns. We also measure the collaboration between departpercentage of Emiratis in the work- ments and the wider Abu Dhabi force, in the clinical workforce, and medical community. Studies have the number of women employed, already shown that the implemenand try to actively ensure that tation and utilization of iCare has numbers increase over time.” significantly enhanced patient care and patient safety without comproElectronic Health Records mising on confidentiality. Working towards a SEHA wide policy to introduce an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system for all of its facilities, SKMC’s iCare solution enables clinicians, physicians and nursing staff to share and collaborate on a patient’s treatment.
In addition, the Digital Radiology System has helped improve the efficiencies and accuracies of departments such as radiology, laboratory and pharmacy, and allows physicians to review x-rays and other imaging studies digitally, with their patients anywhere within SKMC The system already houses almost and the Family Medicine Clinics. half a million electronic medical records and allows doctors to Striving for medical excellence instantly access critical patient at all times, the EMR system also information including their allows the Department to implemedical history, blood type and use ment Evidence Based Healthcare, www.middleeasthospital.com
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by creating preventative treatments that are linked to family history, best practices, medical trends and the latest medical research. Preventative medicine is particularly important in cases such as hereditary cancers or heart disease conditions. Future technology plans for SKMC include the development of a technological infrastructure to allow patients to access their own medical records electronically, providing instant access to patients while retaining SKMC’s strict privacy policy. Implementing a Cerner HER system for past two years, ongoing transition from paper-based to electronic record system will be completed in a year. As Cerner is a SEHA-wide system any physician at a SEHA facility can access just about anything. Therefore no need to transfer MRIs, CTs, X-rays or any patient records between hospitals. www.skmc.ae
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Product focus
The Paxman Orbis System
Helping to relieve the visible trauma of chemotheray induced hair loss Paxman is the leading global manufacturer and supplier of scalp cooling equipment for the prevention of hair loss during chemotherapy. This revolutionary hair loss prevention system is responsible for helping thousands of people throughout the world to not only keep their hair but to maintain dignity and normality whilst undergoing chemotherapy. The innovative Orbis system is the very latest in scalp cooling technology and has the backing of leading Oncologists from across the globe. Paxman’s position as market leader enables them to continue to innovate and ensure that the device is the most efficacious and comfortable option available for patients. Furthermore medical professionals are safe in the knowledge that they are offering the best and most up to date technology for patients in their care. Scalp cooling treatment works by lowering the temperature of the head and scalp immediately before, after and during the administration of chemotherapy drugs. This in turn reduces the blood flow to the hair follicles, thus preventing or minimising the damage, meaning that hair loss is no longer inevitable. Hair loss is a well-documented side effect of many chemotherapy regimens. It is often devastating for patients and the fear of hair loss has even been known to cause refusal of treatment.
The Orbis I model provides cooling for a single patient and is suitable for the small chemotherapy suite or private bed. The Orbis II can provide cooling for one or two patients simultaneously with each cap working independently. Both models operate in the same way and are identical in size. The system consists of a small compact refrigeration unit containing a coolant which is circulated at -4°C through coolant lines to specially designed cooling caps. The coolant lines are supported by an adjustable arm providing maximum patient comfort.
Following great success at Arab Health in recent years the company has now secured a significant presence in the Gulf region, with representation in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Syria, Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan. The profile of the company and its innovative product, the Orbis, has further grown in the region and ensures hospitals in the region have the option to offer the best treatment method to enhance patients’ psychological state when undergoing chemotherapy.
Consideration and care has gone into the design of the system in order to meet the needs of both the patient and nursing staff. It is simple to operate with easy to read www.paxman-coolers.com www.middleeasthospital.com
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touch screen displays. The compact nature and manoeuvrability of the system ensures an efficient use of space. The system is flexible for patients and requires minimal nursing supervision.
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Health and Fitness
Getting The Balance Right The Vital Balance health and lifestyle concept promises to deliver a structural contribution to health, vitality, and quality of life. MEH speaks to founder and CEO, Jan de Jong...
www.middleeasthospital.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Health and Fitness In just about every western country more and more people are seeing the advantages of a healthier lifestyle. This is no surprise, given the increase in obesity and stress-related illnesses. Chronic diseases -such as cancer, cardiovascular illness and diabetes- are also on the rise. Often, the origins can be traced back to an unhealthy lifestyle; in 80% of all cases according to the World health Organisation, with 50% of cases preventable. So small wonder that awareness and a desire for a healthier lifestyle have increased. These statistics underline the importance of integral lifestyle programs and prevention. These severe societal problems were recognised by Vital Balance Group’s CEO Jan de Jong, “Research on health and prevention showed that the majority of interventions were fragmented and non-holistic, with a prime focus on fitness and exercise. This ignores the importance of proper guidance, creating insights and empowering self-responsibility.” After consultation with experts in this field Mr de Jong founded Vital Balance Group BV in 2009, developing a scalable, innovative and integral, health and lifestyle concept. The integrated Vital Balance Plan is characterised by a pre-intermediate and post-program measurement that links knowledge, insights, guidance, coaching and monitoring. Several determinants that affect health and well-being of people are evaluated in the pre-program measurement and the results shown over time
and concepts only show visible symptoms such as high blood pressure). Based on the automatically generated recommendations our clients are provided with a plan for proper exercise, diet, relaxation and behavioural change. This 6 or 12 month program guarantees success, with the assistance of a Vital Balance Coach, who are specially trained in the Vital Balance Instiprogram measure- tute. The coach plays an important by the post- ment. Mr de Jong explains, “In our role, as a case manager, stimulator core concept ‘Vital Balance Plan’ and motivator.” we use a sophisticated, medically validated, instrument that displays In the Vital Balance system coaches the underlying causes of illness, can also fall back on a Medical Help health and vitality (whereas the Desk which has authorised access most common measurement tools to medical data via the internet. All
“In our core concept ‘Vital Balance Plan’ we use a sophisticated, medically validated, instrument that displays the underlying causes of illness, health and vitality”
www.middleeasthospital.com
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Vital Balance Group data is transported via a web portal to the Vital Balance database, so all information can be utilised for research and improvement of the software to benefit clients. Clients are also provided with a monitoring kit which accurately measures weight, body fat, water and muscle mass and sends all data wirelessly to the web portal. Vital Balance Centres and a web shop offer health related products and nutritional supplements.
“It is our mission to deliver a structural contribution to health, vitality and quality of life. We do this by developing and delivering a broad series of accessible medically-validated products and services that measure, optimise and monitor health and vitality.” Speaking about his vision for how Vital Balance will contribute to improving lives, Mr de Jong said, “It is our mission to deliver a structural contribution to health, vitality and quality of life. We do this by developing and delivering a broad series of accessible medically-validated products and services that measure, optimise and monitor health and vitality. Due to various circumstances people have become tired, less energetic, and generally feeling unwell. This affects how people function within their family, at work, and in their personal relations. With the goal to optimise peoples’ resilience, vitality and
energy, Vital Balance Group developed a program that offers them an interventional package based on the results of a unique individual lifestyle measurement. To succeed in our mission we primarily position the Vital Balance Plan in the corporate market; where vitality, employability and workability plays a significant role. Our secondary focus is on public www.middleeasthospital.com
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health in general. From a social responsibility perspective we also participate in the ‘Cities of Health’ project of the World Health Organisation, where agriculture, education, primary healthcare, sports and prevention are combined.” In The Netherlands there are now 30 franchise locations, but Vital Balance has an international MEH Sept/Oct 2015 | 36
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Vital Balance Group outlook and important partnerships to support expansion of the organisation. In August 2012 they began the process of opening their own Vital Balance Centres, which will have a primary focus on corporate programmes and public health. With their international partners (such as Smart Networks International from Bern Switzerland) who have contacts in India, Asia, US, Brazil, Canada and the Middle East, they plan further expansion. Mr de Jong states, “We strongly believe people can maximise their life experience with proper education and guidance on their health and lifestyle. Vital Balance Group will contribute to primary health and prevention centres all over the world, not to reinvent the wheel, but by sharing knowledge and network relations, and offer a real integral solution to really solve present and future health and lifestyle related problems in society.
The Vital Balance V-Check Assessment More a lifestyle check than a simple fitness test, and drawing on elements from both eastern and western healing practices, the V(ega)-Check machine was originally developed by German medical equipment company Wegamed. It has since been evaluated by universities and research institutes in the Netherlands, Germany and China, and tested by professional sports organisations such as AC Milan and the McEnroe Tennis Academy. Six electrodes are placed on the body: two on the head, two on the hands and two under the feet. In 8 minutes, V-Check carries out electrograms of the whole body – full body and by segment – and claims to measure: how well muscles, joints and organs are functioning; energy reserves, and the body’s ability to make use of them; acid levels, and the body’s ability to neutralise them; the nutritional status of the body (including levels of vitamins and minerals); BMI; and optimum heart rate range. The machine then offers personalised, evidence-based lifestyle recommendations off the back of these results. These cover areas such as nutrition, ideal type of exercise and the optimal time to work out by muscle group, plus amount of relaxation required. V-Check also assumes a connection between internal organ systems and specific muscle groups, so the system might, for example, recommend training your quads and abs to help with digestion, or your glutes to help with circulation. These recommendations are further interpreted by the assessor, in conjunction with the information provided by the member in questionnaires on their medical history and lifestyle, to create a full fitness and wellbeing programme. Vital Balance Group BV CEO J. de Jong MBA j.dejong@vitalbalancegroup.com www.middleeasthospital.com
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www.vitalbalancegroup.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Undoing the ticking Time Bomb in the Middle East by Laura Putnam author of bestseller Workplace Wellness that Works, CEO Motion Infusion The Gulf region has experienced unprecedented economic growth over the past several decades. Unfortunately, this economic success has been accompanied by drastic changes in lifestyle that have led to skyrocketing increases in obesity, diabetes and heart disease, effectively undoing measurable improvements in health over the past 30 years. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar are in the top 10 countries for rates of diabetes globally, and overall, the Gulf region has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world. With half its population under the age of 25, the region is poised to experience an explosion of heart disease over the next 10 to 15 years. The Gulf region is nothing short of a ticking time bomb. The question is: How can we undo it? The answer is simple: Eat better and move more. Putting these concepts into practice, however, is much more difficult than it may appear as it requires changing behaviors on a massive scale. The good news is that workplace wellness is one of the best ways to shift the tide and undo the ticking time bomb. Below are three ways you can get started in promoting healthier lifestyles in any workplace, as outlined in Workplace Wellness That Works, by Laura Putnam. 1. Optimize the environment. In health care and in wellness, we have made the mistake of repeatedly placing the burden of change on the individual. Meanwhile, our habits, by and large, are simply a reflection of our environment. Instead of educating and coaching individuals, focus on designing an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice.
“Workplace wellness is the right thing to do, as the workplace can serve as a primary portal to undoing the ticking time bomb. It’s the smart thing to do: Workplace wellness done well can reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, and attract top talent. And, every organization can make a difference by optimizing its environment, curating a culture of well-being and engaging leaders at all levels. To learn more on how to set up an effective workplace wellness initiative start to finish, read Place signs that serve as Workplace Wellness That Works: 10 reminders, provide healthy Steps to Infuse Well-Being and options in vending machines, offer Vitality into Any Organization. discounts on healthy options in www.motioninfusion.com the company cafeteria, and build accessible and well-lit stairways to encourage more physical activity throughout the workday. 2. Curate a culture of health and well-being. To accompany this environment of health, build a culture that supports well-being at work in order to make the healthy choice the “normal” choice. Every workplace can create rituals, such as standing and walking meetings, that integrate health and wellbeing into the fabric of business as usual. 3. Incorporate well-being into leadership-training. Ultimately, employees are looking to their leaders and immediate supervisors to set the tone. Any effective workplace wellness initiative starts at the top. Therefore, empower leaders and managers to become models of well-being by integrating wellness into leadership and management training programs. www.middleeasthospital.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
GCC News
New National Cancer Treatment Centre Announced For Bahrain A NUMBER of agreements have been signed that pave the way for a new, state-of-the-art National Cancer Treatment Centre at King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH), in Busaiteen. Hospital commander Major General Dr Shaikh Salman bin Ateyatalla Al Khalifa revealed deals worth BD4,818,566 had been signed in the presence of Minister of State for Defence Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
and detection of tumours," said the minister. Dr Shaikh Mohammed said the centre would also conduct scientific research, while providing latest internationally approved diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
Hospital officials signed the first agreement worth BD1.63m with Mazen Al Omran Consulting Engineers (MACE) director-general Mazen Ahmed Al Omran to design and supervise construction of the facility. Another agreement worth BD1.45m was signed with The minister revealed the centre Al Kobaisi Group general manager would have 120 beds and cover a Abdulla Al Kobaisi to design and total area of 18,000 to 20,000 square build a facility to accommodate metres. It is being set up in co-op- production of radioactive mateeration with the Health Ministry. rials, also known as a Cyclotron. "The centre will have special units for bone marrow transplant, tissue The bunker-like facility will be the sample analysis and outpatient first in the region to treat rare forms facilities provided for treatment of cancer using proton therapy. It
is the same company that owned the Al Dana dhow, which capsized in March 2006 killing 58 people during a party to mark the completion of concreting work at the Bahrain World Trade Centre. To purchase the Cyclotron, an agreement worth BD1.3m was signed between Dr Shaikh Mohammed and Bahrain-based General Medical Company director-general Santosh Bay. Another agreement was signed by the minister with Ismail Khonji Consulting Engineers to create a storage facility for medicines, worth BD438,556. Dr Shaikh Salman emphasised that the modern facility would boost health services in Bahrain and meet patients' needs for cancer treatment until 2030. Source: Gulf Daily News
Moorfields Eye Hospital Celebrates Five Years Serving Dubai Five years after treating its first patient in Dubai, Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai will mark a landmark achievement at a special celebration, held under the patronage of Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the hospital this month (October 2012). Founded in 1804, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London has pioneered eye care for more than 200 years. Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai
is the first overseas branch of the world renowned London hospital, which was officially inaugurated in Dubai by HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, in 2007. The hospital has since treated more than 20,000 patients, many of them from the local UAE community, and played an active role in supporting community events. The special celebration will be hosted at the hospital by Mr John Pelly, Chief Executive of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust, and attended by invited VIPs, guests and the staff of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai. www.middleeasthospital.com
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Speaking in anticipation of the anniversary event, Dr Chris Canning, CEO and Medical Director of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, said: “This occasion will mark the fifth anniversary of our hospital in Dubai, where we have had the privilege of serving the UAE community since 2007. The event will also reaffirm Moorfield’s long term commitment to Dubai and the UAE, and further strengthen the bonds of friendship with the local community through a celebration of the five senses: hearing, touch, smell, taste and sight.” MEH Sept/Oct 2015 | 39
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United Arab Emirates News
ECS 2012 Conference to be Held in Dubai The Emirates Cardiac Society in Dubai will host the third annual Emirates Cardiac Society Congress from November 1 to 3 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. After a successful second annual Emirates Cardiac Society Congress which was held in October 2011, and following the World Congress of Cardiology 2012, the Emirates Cardiac Society will continue the education of healthcare professionals in the fields of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiac surgery and the promotion of best health practices for the interest of patients. Cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, physicians interested in cardiology, nursing staff, cardiovascular technicians, medical trainees and students are expected to take part in the congress. The scientific congress is supported by Dubai Health Authority, Government of Dubai and the Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences. The main sponsors of the event include Sanofi, Servier, Bayer Health Care, and AstraZeneca and supported by Merck Serono, and MSD.
Abu Dhabi Needs 3200 More Doctors by 2021 Abu Dhabi needs to recruit about 1,500 doctors a year to cope with a growing population and staff turnover, but health professionals say recruitment is being hampered by bureaucratic delays in licensing new staff.
"The problem with a shortage is it impacts three things; the quality of care, because we cannot improve our quality; it impacts access, meaning the amount of time the patient has to wait to see a doctor; and it impacts cost."
"There is a shortage, but not a shortage on the recruitment side," said Dr Sami Alom, chief strategy officer at Al Noor Hospital.
New figures from the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi show the number of doctors employed between 2010 and 2011 increased by only 143, bringing the total to "We find plenty of doctors willing 4,900. to come to Al Noor, to Abu Dhabi, but then we are unable to get them Abu Dhabi's population increased Dr Fahad Baslaib, president of licensed." The process takes too from 2,321,003 to 2,422,400 in the the Emirates Cardiac Society, and long, he said. same period. At that rate of growth chairperson of the congress, said: the authority estimates 3,200 more “Although 80 per cent of cardio- “A new system introduced this doctors will be required by 2021, vascular diseases are preventable, month that will automatically meaning annual recruitment of CVDs are the leading cause of renew licensed doctors' permits is a about 1,500, taking into account death worldwide. It is the leading step in the right direction but other turnover of staff. cause of death in the UAE.” gaps need to be addressed.” www.middleeasthospital.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Saudi Arabia News
KHC Announces SR550 Million Hospital Expansion Plan Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), the investment vehicle of Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, has announced a massive SR550 million ($147 million) expansion plan for its hospital based in Riyadh. KHC said the expansion will be carried out on the adjacent plot of land south of the Kingdom hospital which had been recently acquired by the company. The new expansion will encompass an inpatient tower, an outpatient treatment pavilion, and a day surgery center, the company said in a statement. The project will be developed over the next three years with a total build-up area of 85,000 sq m. A major highlight will be the expansion of emergency department and trauma center which will double in size to accommodate over 100,000 adult and pediatric visitors. The other major components of the expansion will include: specialized outpatient clinics to accommodate one million visits a year; an added patient-bed tower, including the addition of 150 new private rooms; state-of-the-art operating rooms and day surgical services areas; two levels of underground parking. Commenting on the move, Prince Alwaleed said, 'The magnitude of this investment expansion plan reflects Kingdom Hospital’s commitment to provide high quality care, combining clinical skills and cutting edge technologies.'
tegic local investment strategy. This is in response to the dedication and commitment of the cabinet of the Custodian of the Holy Mosques in supporting the private healthcare sector to deliver advanced care and the latest treatment modalities, the KHC statement added.
Kingdom Hospital will expand its differentiated services in coordination and in association with leading medical centers of the world.”
Talal Ibrahim AlMaiman, executive director for development and domestic investments, KHC board member and Kingdom Hospital the chairman said, “The hospital together with consulting clinics and pharmacies are determined to maintain their leading position as a premiere health care provider locally and regionally.'
With the expected rise in demand for healthcare in Saudi over the next two decades, this new project will increase patients’ access to an evidence-based healthcare as it is expected to accommodate over one million outpatient visits a year, he noted. KH project’s insignia “Expanding Excellence… Building Today for Tomorrows Healthcare” reflects how the hospital envisions its role in the healthcare market in Saudi Arabia and the region, remarked Dr Takieddine.
'Our investment in the health sector will have rewarding returns to KHC’s investors,' he added. Dr Fayez Takieddine, the executive director, Kingdom Hospital and consulting clinics said, “The expansion is in keeping with its mission of providing hitech medical care and exceeding patient satisfaction.
The project demonstrates a rethinking of the use of the physical and technological infrastructure and design to improve the patient’s experience and to enable the hospitals clinical and administrative staff to work in an environment that exemplifies their professional and medical expertise, he added.
He said the hospital's expansion was in line with the company's strawww.middleeasthospital.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
GCC News
Lifestyle Diseases Drive 12% Growth in GCC Health Spend Increasing trend of lifestyle-related diseases is driving growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) healthcare industry, says Frost & Sullivan, with Saudi Arabia the largest spender on healthcare in the GCC. Healthcare has been one of the most dynamic industries in the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC), witnessing steep growth between 2007 and 2011 due to significant increase in the healthcare spending. Its robust growth is expected to continue, propelled by demographic and economic factors, resulting in increased demand. According to Frost & Sullivan estimates, Saudi Arabia remains the largest spender on healthcare in the GCC with expenditure recorded at USD 24.2 Billion in 2011. As a result of increased spending power, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy food habits, nations in the GCC rank among the highest in the world with respect to lifestyle diseases; namely diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. Growth in chronic lifestyle-related diseases has further led to the increased healthcare spending in the GCC. Healthcare spending in the GCC witnessed compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 12 per cent between 2007 and 2011. Although healthcare spending has witnessed considerable growth in this period, healthcare expenditure as a percentage
of the gross domestic product (GDP) remained low. Among the GCC countries, Bahrain spent the highest percentage of its GDP, 5 per cent, on healthcare; while Qatar spent the lowest, 2 per cent, in 2011.
According to Frost & Sullivan’s recent study on growing opportunities in the GCC healthcare sector, a critical challenge herein Even though Saudi Arabia has is the dual role played by the maximum healthcare spent among respective Governments, of both all the GCC economies, healthcare payer and provider. The trend expenditure as a percentage of its of increasing lifestyle diseases, GDP increased barely by 1.2 per characterised by frequent treatcent from 2000 to 2010. ments, costly procedures, and quality healthcare has raised the The burgeoning and rapid- cost burden on the respective ly-ageing population is another Governments. growth driver for the healthcare industry in the GCC. The life The GCC also faces considerexpectancy here has increased able shortage of physicians who considerably, and is presently at can provide quality treatment as par with developed countries like compared to other developing the United States of America. This economies. In spite of continincrease in life expectancy can be uous efforts by the Governments attributed to improved treatment to recruit physicians from other outcomes of controlling commu- countries, this challenge has nicable diseases. been persistent. There has also been huge demand for hospital “Growing demand and increasing beds in past years; this demand is emphasis on quality healthcare, expected to grow further to reach coupled with regulatory changes, 90,690 beds by 2018. is expected to make the GCC healthcare market a lucrative Increased participation by private option for both domestic and players in the GCC healthcare international investors. Apart industry is likely to help in overfrom healthcare delivery, health- coming current challenges faced care insurance is also expected to by the industry. The GCC econprovide enormous opportunities omies are also making regulato private players in the GCC. tory changes to enhance private participation in the healthcare In fact, increasing number of industry. This change in poliprivate players in the provider cies would further attract several segment would lead to more international players. people opting for private insurance to avail better-quality health- Source: Frost & Sullivan care at affordable costs”, said Dr. www.middleeasthospital.com
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E. Saneesh, Research Analyst, Business and Financial Services (Healthcare), Frost & Sullivan.
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Special feature
Understanding Sleep Apnoea Sleep expert Michael Oko is on a mission to raise awareness of the dangers of sleep deprivation for both individuals and society
The Sleeping Disorders Centre clinic at Harley Street serves private patients in London and the South East of England, and a growing number of international patients who come for treatment from all corners of the world.
sleep apnoea are a more widespread problem than most people think. Often people do not even realise that they are a sufferer, which is why there has traditionally been a low awareness of, and a lack of provision for, this illness.
Lincolnshire. Prior to this there was no sleep apnoea service across Lincolnshire, leaving a population of 700,000 people with little provision for sleeping disorders.
Due to increased access to resources more people are now able to address The Sleeping Disorders Centre Consultant ENT surgeon Mr their sleeping problems and provides a life-changing service Michael Oko opened the first enhance the quality of their lives, for sufferers of obstructive sleep Sleeping Disorders Centre clinic and in 2008 the Sleeping Disorders apnoea and other sleep-related in 2006 in the Bostonian wing Centre gained recognition for this disorders. Problem snoring and of Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, achievement by winning the NHS www.middleeasthospital.com
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Special feature East Midlands Healthcare Award for service transformation. Mr Oko actively campaigns for greater awareness of the dangers of sleep apnoea in regions with high incidence such as the Middle East. In 2011 Mr Oko was presented with an award for his contribution to healthcare in the Middle East region by Riz Khan of Al Jazeera. “Levels of excessive weight gain associated with wealth, hypertension and heart disease are rocketing in the wealthy Middle East, mainly due to the modern life-style,” Mr Oko told MEH. “Being overweight can be a major contributory factor in OSA in 2/3rds of cases, when a person temporarily stops breathing many times during the night. This deprives people of deep REM sleep and results in drowsiness and fatigue the next day. It’s when we’re tired that we make mistakes – especially whilst driving. It may well be
a significant contributory factor to Department of Health OSA the road traffic accidents that are Working Group the second major cause of deaths in The Department of Health has set the UAE.” up an Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Also, due to the strong link between (OSA) Working Group with a OSA and road traffic accidents brief to produce a report outlining (RTA) there are huge societal bene- recommendations for the Departfits of both raising awareness and ment of Health’s (DH) Respiratreatment of the condition. There tory Programme Board on a clinare 3500 fatalities per year from ically effective strategy to improve RTAs in Saudi Arabia alone, and outcomes for adults with obstrucOSA is a possible explanation for tive sleep apnoea (OSA) from April 2013. Talking about the new body this in some cases. Michael Oko said: “I believe that the success I have had in Lincolnshire can be replicated in “I am looking forward to contribthe Middle East by raising aware- uting to the work of DH in this ness of the condition, and forming important area. Awareness of sleep long-term partnerships with local apnoea and its associated risks has hospitals, doctors, and government been historically low, with many departments”, said Mr Oko. The sufferers undiagnosed. However, consultant emphasises the impor- evidence shows that the condition tance of working with all relevant is widespread with around 4% of agencies to tackle this issue, not the population affected, and there is just in the healthcare field, but also a growing body of evidence linking the condition to an increased risk in transport and road safety. www.middleeasthospital.com
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Middle East Hospital magazine
Special feature of stroke, heart failure, diabetes, and other serious illnesses. The rising tide of obesity and cardiovascular disease, coupled with the increasing public awareness of sleep apnoea, will mean that diagnosis of sleep apnoea is set to keep rising and we will need to have a strategy in place to cope with this growth in demand for sleep apnoea services in the UK�. www.snorecentre.com
www.middleeasthospital.com
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NEW for MEDICA 2012, we are delighted to introduce our latest product innovation, Desperate Debra® - a revolutionary new simulator for training of impaction of a fetal head at caesarean section. Developed in collaboration with expert consulants, professors and widwives at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS and NHS Fife, the Desperate Debra® simulator aims to both introduce fetal head impaction and improve confidence to new trainees as well as increase awareness and enhance practice for current professionals. For further information and to view the simulator we look forward to welcoming you to our stand in Hall 16, Stand G24-3.
ANATOMICAL MODELS, SIMULATORS AND CHARTS FOR CLINICAL SKILLS AND TRAINING sales@adam-rouilly.co.uk
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www.adam-rouilly.co.uk
+44 (0) 1795 471378
11/10/2012 20:29:22
Middle East Hospital magazine
Company profile
GET A GRIP WITH G-HOLD
Alison Grieve - CEO G-Hold Can you tell us a bit about G-Hold and your products G-Holds (www.g-hold.com) are award-winning, ergonomic handholds for portable devices, such as tablets, readers and mobile POS systems. All GHolds rotate 360˜, fold flat when not in use and can be stuck to the back of devices or cases either permanently (with the G-Hold Megastick) or repeatedly (with the G-Hold Micro Suction).
Having conducted business in the Middle East with the Safetray, we know what an exciting and vibrant market it is. We were already aware of the significant investment going into healthcare in the region, particularly in Saudi, and, after having success in healthcare back in the UK, we decided it was a natural market for the G-Hold.
Can you give us an overview of your particular field of expertise and background of the company ? As I attended trade shows frequently with the Safetray, I bought a tablet for the convenience of working on the move. Finding it somewhat awkward, and nervous that I might drop it whilst on the move, I decided to come up with a new invention for tablets, using all the knowledge I had gained about the ergonomics of hands. That was how G-Hold was born. The G-Hold has been particularly well-received by professional users in healthcare, education and retail. It has even made a few appearances on Formula 1, with BBC presenter Suzi Perry using it live when covering the British Grand Prix! What is your remit and why are you
G-Hold www.g-hold.com
interested in the Arab Health Market
www.middleeasthospital.com
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