A new report by Informa Markets, organisers of Arab Health and Medlab Middle East, the MENA region’s leading exhibitions for the healthcare and laboratory industries, has revealed investment in new healthcare technology has become the top priority for 2021.
Titled Voice of the Healthcare Industry Market Outlook 2021 and produced by Omnia Health Insights, the report highlights that 45% of respondents identified technology as the best opportunity for business growth in the GCC, with digitisation creating the most significant impact according to the agents, dealers and distributors, clinics, medical practices, consultancies and manufacturers surveyed.
Solenne Singer, Group Director for Informa Markets, said: “As a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the global health crisis, there has been a distinct shift in priorities with the focus now on implementing new technologies for better healthcare delivery.
“Digitalisation, blockchain and Big Data are growing in prominence, and according to our report, AI is the second most impactful area of tech overall, followed by robotics. 23% of those surveyed from the GCC placed a much higher priority for investment in this area of new technology.”
Technology will take centre stage at the 2022 edition of Arab Health and Medlab Middle East. A series of panel discussions and keynote presentations from leaders within the industry will highlight the latest advancements within the sector. Meanwhile, innovation will be prominent with the return of the Arab Health Innov8 Talks, while Medlab Middle East will showcase the latest innovations from the laboratory industry via a range of product displays and talks.
According to the report, funding was outlined as the most significant challenge public and private medical practices faced. This was also true of charities and non-profit organisations, creating the greatest barrier to implementing new technology.
When asked about emerging trends in the next 12 months, the number one response was value-based healthcare. This is when healthcare providers are rewarded for helping patients improve their health, reduce the effects and incidence of chronic disease, and live healthier lives in an evidence-based way. Almost half of all respondents placed this as the top forecasted trend.
The previous edition of Arab Health and Medlab Middle East, which took place earlier this year, welcomed 22,800 visitors from 172 countries who connected with 1,700 exhibitors generating AED767.7 million new business deals. A total of 61 countries were represented by exhibitors, which included 30 international pavilions.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every single member of the healthcare community, both personally and professionally. We are, however, at a point where the industry is ready to move forward, return to live events and secure new business deals. The last edition of Arab Health and Medlab underscored this desire, and we now look forward to welcoming participants once again in 2022,” added Singer.
The 2022 edition of the show, which returns as a co-located event for the healthcare and laboratory industries, will take place from 24 – 27 January at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year’s theme is ‘United by business, forging ahead’. The event is once again expected to be supported by a host of government entities, industry leaders and influencers in their respective sectors.
As part of Informa’s commitment to providing the highest hygiene and safety levels, the event will again take place under the protocols introduced via the company’s Informa AllSecure health and safety mandate. The enhanced measures include 35 guidelines covering all aspects of cleaning and hygiene, social distancing measures, and the use of PPE, screening, and a track and trace in conjunction with local authorities.
