32nd Arab Health Congress ends on a high note

Arab Health 2007 drew more than 2,200 exhibitors, including 30 national pavilions.

Healthcare experts and leading industry representatives said the congress's substantial growth over the last few years is both a catalyst for healthcare in the region and an important gauge of its progress. Delegates and visitors alike cited the congress's joint focus on knowledge and infrastructure, and its responsiveness to changing market needs, as among its most important attributes.

"Arab Health is the definitive one-stop shop for anyone involved in the healthcare industry in the region, or for anyone looking to get involved in it," said Simon Page, Project Director, IIR Middle East. "For practitioners, it is an ideal platform to get acquainted with the latest technologies and scientific advances; and for companies, it is an opportunity to listen to the needs of customers in the region. It is undoubtedly a driver of healthcare standards in the region."

Dr. John Guy, medical director at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, was among the many physicians who credited Arab Health with elevating and expanding the practice of medicine in the UAE and around the region.

"Arab Health has been and continues to be a valuable resource for healthcare professionals in the Gulf region," Dr. Guy added. "SKMC has participated widely in this exhibition and its associated conferences since the inception of Arab Health. Our staff are encouraged to visit the exhibitions and to attend the many scientific congresses.

'Our institution looks forward every year to Arab Health as a means of reviewing the latest technology; networking with suppliers and vendors and to update medical knowledge. The increased participation and attendance at Arab Health is of value to all of us in the healthcare field."

The world's leading medical technology and service providers were also positive about the continued growth of the event. Dr. Gottfried H. Dutiné, Executive Vice-President of Philips and member of the Board of Management, said: "We are very pleased to have seen Arab Health grow into one of the leading medical exhibitions in the world. This year we showed how the hospital can become a much friendlier and more attractive place with special lighting and sounds. The interest in our ambient experience solutions surpassed by far our expectations."

Isam Moursy, General Manager at GE Healthcare for the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Turkey (MEACAT), said the region's largest health sector expo serves as a great platform to further strengthen GE Healthcare's presence in the region through more public and private sector partnerships.

"Customer feedback this week about our advanced range of innovative technologies and solutions has been overwhelming," he added.

The Arab Health exhibition and congress is also driving interest in the Middle East as a regional and international healthcare destination. Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City, said: "Arab Health 2007 has once again seen a high-profile gathering of the medical, healthcare and wellness industry - not only from our region, but from across the world. We have utilized the opportunity of Arab Health 2007 to announce major projects and developments including the second phase of DHCC (Wellness Cluster), our partnership with Dr. Suleiman Al Habib and Moorfields Eye hospital, and the Harvard Medical School Awards."

International reports estimate the Middle East's healthcare sector is worth USD74 billion, and growing at 16 per cent annually. The sector, analysts suggest, is emerging as one of the fastest-growing and most attractive markets for the world's hospital equipment and services companies, with expenditure on healthcare in region predicted to continue rising for the next several years.

The next edition of the Arab Health medical congress and exhibition is scheduled for January 28 to 31, 2008.