German healthcare makes direct impact on Middle East medical industry

A recent study from the Association of German Hospitals shows that patients from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are among the most frequent patient-visitors to Germany, attracted by the shorter flying time and lower comparative costs for operations and convalescence. The study suggests that overall costs are up to 40 percent higher in Britain than Germany and up to 70 to 100 percent higher in the United States.

Additionally, as the Middle East's healthcare facilities continue to develop, including ambitious developments such as Dubai Healthcare City and International Medical Center (IMC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, an increasing number of German companies are also looking to partner with local organizations to increase their penetration into the region.

"German healthcare has a world-wide reputation for excellence and quality, and we've encountered robust demand for our products in recent years," said Jan-Eric Bialek, general sales and marketing manager, Andreas Fahl Medizintechnik-Vertrieb GmbH, a German company that distributes specialist products for hospitals and clinics around the world. "We're extremely interested in learning more about the Middle East's market situation, because we see that it represents a major sales and partnership opportunity."

This elevated level of interest was confirmed this week by the announcement that the German pavilion at Arab Health 2005 is set to be the largest of the national pavilions at the show, and the largest-ever display of German medical technology and organizations in the Middle East.

Supported by Arab-German Medical Services, the Hamburg Hospital Association, the Committee for Promoting German Medicine in Foreign Countries, and Bayern International, German organizations will constitute the largest national group at the upcoming exhibition. More than 220 companies and 70 of Germany's hospitals and clinics will be participating. The German Healthcare Export Group will also be showcasing a broad range of products and services.

As well as being the largest national group at Arab Health, German physicians will also be speaking at a number of the fourteen accredited Arab Health Congresses taking place alongside the exhibition. This includes a field of speakers at the 1st Middle East Wounds Congress, which runs from 14-15 February, and at the 4th Middle East Plastic Surgery and Laser Congress.

"The involvement of so many distinguished German healthcare institutions in Arab Health 2005 demonstrates the keen international interest in the exhibition and congress, and provides local companies with a platform to meet with representatives of some of the world's most respected hospitals and clinics," said John Hassett, IIR Middle East exhibitions director, healthcare division.

"We'd like to thank the sponsors and organizers of the German Pavilion for their ongoing interest and involvement in Arab Health. Their support adds an important international element to one of the world's leading healthcare events," concluded Hassett.

Arab Health 2005 runs from February 12- 15.