HEALTHCARE leaders from across the globe gathered last Thursday at the "Leaders in Healthcare" conference, one of the region's most established and reputed healthcare conferences, which marked the final day of the 2017 edition of the Arab Health Exhibition & Congress 2017 in Dubai. Held under the patronage of Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Leaders in Healthcare conference saw industry experts from across the globe discuss current challenges and opportunities in the adoption of innovative technologies for healthcare including robotics, drones, and 3D printing. In attendance alongside Princess Haya was Abdul Rahman Mohamed Al Oweis, UAE Minister of Health & Prevention; and Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health of Nigeria. "I have already alluded to the difficulty faced in embracing new technology in healthcare. To ensure successful adoption, we need to equip the physician, the patient, and the system with the right tools and knowledge. We also need to improve medical training to ensure future generations of doctors are proficient in the use of technology, social media, and digital platforms," Princess Haya said. "And this is my point, this is where the balance lies – we have seen all kinds of machines and technologies that have created the architecture, but in the end, it was for the benefit of the people, to give them a home for the future. This same balance needs to be struck between innovation and medicine." Princess Haya also toured some of the 4,400 vendor, service provider and manufacturer exhibits at Arab Health 2017, including those belonging to the Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA), Abu Dhabi Health Authority, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Healthcare City, University Hospital Sharjah, Arabian Millennium Medical Trading, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, GE Healthcare and Siemens, among others. Accompanying Princess Haya on the tour was Abdul Rahman Mohamed Al Oweis and other dignitaries. "As a partner of the Leaders in Healthcare conference, we continue to support the UAE's drive towards adopting innovative technology and comprehensive solutions for healthcare applications," said Dr. Bernd Ohnesorge, President of the Region Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Siemens Healthineers. "The rapid adoption of new healthcare technologies and partnership models supports healthcare providers in improving patient outcomes, by streamlining processes and pushing the boundaries of patient care. The possibilities are endless for innovation in healthcare and this conference provides the ideal platform for leaders in the industry to converge and discuss how we can better utilize technologies for the benefit of patients across the region."
