Healthcare industry leaders meet to chart future of medical technology in MENA

Healthcare professionals, administrators and technology firms will highlight challenges and opportunities in fast-growing Middle East and North Africa

Dubai - United Arab Emirates, November 3rd, 2014: Government officials, regulators, health industry professionals and technology companies will meet at the MENA MedTech Forum in Dubai on 5th-6th November to discuss stronger integration of medical technology into healthcare.

The first-of-its-kind forum, taking place at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre in Dubai Healthcare City, is aimed to enable patients and clinicians in the growing Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region benefit from the latest advances in medical technology. 

Organised by Mecomed, the premier industry association for the medical devices and diagnostic trade in MENA, the two-day Forum will feature interactive panel discussions and workshops led by renowned healthcare professionals and industry experts worldwide.

Speakers at the Forum will highlight best practices in leveraging medical technology for improved diagnosis, monitoring and care of diseases and disabilities in MENA where ageing populations and high prevalence of lifestyle diseases demand sustainable approaches in healthcare delivery.

Collaborative approaches in promoting innovative and reliable medical technology to MENA healthcare administrations, hospitals and patients in ethical, transparent and legally compliant ways will also be highlighted at the Forum. 

“The medical devices and diagnostics market in MENA is worth around US$4 billion and the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) is five per cent, yet the full potential of the industry remains untapped,” according to Rami Rajab, Chairman, Mecomed.

“The MENA region has a combined population of 650 million, a cumulative GDP of US$5.2 trillion and GDP per capita of US$7,900. There is also substantial public and private investment going into healthcare in the region. Emerging medical technology can ensure the best return on such investment, through improved patient care and public health.”

“The MENA MedTech Forum seeks to bring together experts in varied domains of healthcare delivery, from healthcare professionals to business leaders and administrators, to share thoughts on the critical issues in MENA, including regulatory, educational and market entry strategies needed to integrate medical technology into the complex healthcare systems in the region,” added Mr Rajab.

The Forum will be led by prominent Industry leaders that include - Rami Rajab, Chairman, Mecomed; Serge Bernasconi, CEO, MedTech Europe, Eucomed & EDMA Maher Abouzeid, President & CEO- Turkey ME, GE Healthcare. There is a representation from regional partners/ manufacturers and would include Khalid Kayyali, Deputy Managing Director, Al Haya, KSA. Michael Bitzer, MD, CEO, Daman National Insurance Company, UAE will share the insurance industry perspective. The event will also host academicians and research scholars such as- Brian Smith, Professor, (UK) and Fawaz Torab, MD, Facharzt, PhD, Associate Professor Surgery, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, UAE University. There are Ministry Advisors/ Prominent Healthcare professionals such as Andrew Sim, MD, Adviser to MOH, UAE and Zohair Al Halees, Senior Consultant, Cardiac Surgery Section, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, KSA.  Several other prominent speakers will present the industry perspectives at the Forum.

Discussions at the Forum will span - ‘Drivers of increasing healthcare expenditure’; MedTech industry as part of the solution; Future of the MedTech industry in MENA; Roles, responsibilities and benefits of healthcare providers in integrating medical technology and Competitive strategies for MedTech emerging markets.
Workshops running parallel to the panel sessions will focus on - Collaborative approach on emerging medical device regulations; Integrity & misconduct in business and How to attract, retain and engage employees.