With the GCC healthcare market predicted to grow to $71bn by 2020 , the amount of data produced and gathered during this time, otherwise known as ‘big data’, will present a great opportunity for healthcare professionals and business leaders to develop the market even further
The Big Data Conference returns to Arab Health Congress for its 5th year, which runs from 30 January – 2 February 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, to offer healthcare professionals from across the region unique insight into the evolving landscape of big data and the benefits this has for patients in the UAE.
Dr Aaron Han, who is Acting Chief Medical Officer for American Hospital Dubai and chairing this year’s Big Data Conference, commented that: “Effectively managing the health of populations is critical and one of the promises of big data. More specifically, outcome focused studies, especially for management of chronic conditions, is an area of intense interest in this region. Over the coming years, we will also see a proliferation of new technologies, including apps and wearables, providing opportunities to improve health of patients in the UAE. Telehealth will increase connectedness and patient access to global medical expertise.”
A recent report by EY found that $3.5-4.8 billion could potentially be spent on home healthcare services in the GCC by 2025, particularly on mobile health apps and home-based diagnostic and physiotherapy services . Advantages of mobile health technologies include increasing patient access to healthcare through smartphones and wearable diagnostic sensors. It also helps healthcare professionals cover greater geographies, improve patient-data sharing, as well as encourages the sharing of expertise between healthcare professionals.
Dr Han is optimistic about the evolution of big data and telehealth in the UAE and is hopeful that it will help advance the UAE to achieve world-class healthcare by 2021. “Data will be critical in improving how we measure success for objectives set by the National Health Agenda 2021,” he explained. “Regional specific databases, quality information, and best practices hold promise to improving the health of residents of the UAE and the wider GCC. While we are still in the early stages of seeing telehealth being widely adopted in the UAE, we have seen successful examples of the deployment of telehealth technology in diagnostics where telepathology and teleradiology services can be delivered providing value and clinically validated results.”
With 120,000 visitors expected to attend, this year’s Arab Health exhibition will showcase many of the latest, state-of-the-art telehealth technologies. Dubai-based Rumidimur DMCC will be at Arab Health to launch a regional first in telehealth, the Teleport ECG, which is a wearable online Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring system. Unlike existing ECG systems, this wireless and compact device will send real-time data of the patient’s cardiovascular system to a doctor. It will allow the doctor to give medical advice or adjust the treatment regardless of where the patient is located. The new device will be rolled out to patients throughout GCC region starting with the UAE over the next year with hope of decreasing hospital admissions, reducing mortality rate and reducing costs on patients’ treatment and hospital stay.
Another exhibitor, Rigvir, will be launching a free mobile app “We Care” which will revolutionise cancer screening for melanoma. The app allows users to take a photo of a mole they are worried about and share it directly with specialists at the International Virotherapy Center in Latvia for examination of the results within 24 hours. With the Middle East predicted to have the highest increase in cancer cases when compared to other regions, and an estimated 400,000 deaths as a result of cancer per year , this new innovative app will encourage earlier diagnoses and earlier treatment for melanoma.
Simon Page, Managing Director at Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, commented on the importance of Arab Health exhibition in helping tackle the big questions when it comes to big data: “The region still faces challenges, not only in how to efficiently capture data, but how to correctly analyse and utilise the information for further improvement in patient care. Building on the success of last year’s conference, the 5th Big Data Conference at Arab Health will be the ideal platform where leading experts from around the world can come together and collaborate on important discussions around data analysis, as well as share knowledge on new topics ranging from population health, to electronic health records and clinical decision support.”
The 5th Big Data Conference will take place on 31 January and 1 February 2017 during the upcoming Arab Health Exhibition & Congress, which runs from the 30 January – 2 February, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
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