World's leading medical minds to examine quality in healthcare delivery at Arab Health 2007

Speaking at the conference will be: Dr. James Mongan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Partners Health Care, recently named Physician - Leader of the Year by Modern Physician Magazine in the USA; Mr. Klaus Stegemann, Member of the Board of Siemens Medical Solutions; Professor Jorg Debatin, Chief Executive Officer, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany; Eng. Sobhi Abduljaleel Batterjee, President, Saudi German Hospitals Group, KSA; and Dr. Delos Cosgrove, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland Clinic, USA.

This year's conference will focus on quality in healthcare delivery, which is now a prime focus for medical institutions in the region. With the increase in hospitals looking for JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation and the onset of an influx of openings by internationally renowned hospitals in the region, the face of healthcare delivery is changing dramatically.

The conference will provide an opportunity for hospital directors to hear from some of the world's leading minds on how to improve the quality of their institutions healthcare delivery, as healthcare in the Gulf Region becomes more and more competitive.

Dr. James J. Mongan, M.D., President and CEO of Partners HealthCare, American's leading biomedical research organisation and a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, will present on 'Redefining Quality'. He will discuss systems the Boston-based integrated health system is putting in place to improve the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of its care. These systems include the use of electronic medical records, computerised ordering of drugs and tests, medication administration systems, disease management programs, and decision support systems that guide physicians to the most cost effective drugs and radiology tests.

In addition, Professor Jorg Debatin will share his expertise on, "Marketing the Quality in Healthcare." Professor Debatin, adds, "Hospital marketing is a specialised field that deals with connecting patients, physicians, and hospitals in mutual relationships. Marketing a hospital or health system is no different than marketing any other non-profit organisations like the Red Cross or a local charity. In today's insurance and reimbursement environment, health care and hospital marketing is needed more than ever to ensure continuing viability of medicine on the local level and to provide the high quality of individual health care that patients have come to demand. With these ingredients, there is clearly a need for analysis, strategy and communication to make the most of limited resources while providing compassionate health care. It is not just about being able to deliver quality healthcare but the ability to properly market it and differentiate your institutions from your competition."

The Leaders in Healthcare summit is sponsored by Siemens Medical Systems, one of the world's leading healthcare companies, and is held in association with Dubai Healthcare City. The Arab Health exhibition, which runs from January 29th to February 1st and features over 2,000 exhibitors, is the region's central meeting place for more than 28,000 visitors.