As the annual Florida International Medical Expo (FIME) 2023 approaches, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry insiders have their eyes set on the interactive workshop titled “Latin America is Open for Business”. Promising a wealth of information and expert perspectives, this session aims to provide valuable insights into the dynamic and rapidly growing Latin American health market.

Latin America, with its diverse markets, challenges in public healthcare systems, and burgeoning middle class, offers a plethora of untapped potential for the medical and healthcare industry. The region is witnessing significant growth in healthcare expenditure, driven by an ageing population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and rising demand for advanced medical technologies. However, penetrating these markets can pose unique challenges, such as regulatory intricacies and supply chain complexities, despite the abundance of opportunities.

Related: Medical device logistics: Navigating FDA and customs compliance

At the upcoming FIME 2023, I am honoured to direct and speak at the workshop “Latin America is Open for Business”, which aims to demystify the process of doing business in Latin America. We will explore the nuances of capitalising on Latin American markets, building strong partnerships with distributors, sourcing the right medical devices, navigating supply chain challenges, and finding effective solutions.

As the founder of FRAGIA CORP., a Miami-based pharmaceutical and consulting company, one of our success stories is the development and curation of the “Buyer Representative” service. Tailored for any healthcare institution seeking a non-disruptive supply chain management and purchasing supplies at a lower cost, this service allows them to focus on providing the best healthcare to their customers. We guarantee an income increase of at least 50 per cent for the first year of having us as Buyer Representatives.

Related: Sustainably-led FIME to elevate Latin America's medical device business

In line with our mission, we also specialise in innovation and collaborate with strategic partners in software development, e-commerce, and data science to provide our clients with the Purchasing Representative Consulting Service. Our primary objective is to tackle the costs of a company’s supply chain, making consumption efficient, avoiding losses, and implementing properly planned and executed strategies that benefit our clients in the short and medium term.

Capitalising on Latin American markets

Understanding the diversity of the Latin American healthcare market – a mosaic of distinct markets with unique regulations, market dynamics, and cultural nuances – is key to successfully penetrating these markets. During the workshop, we will provide an in-depth overview of the various markets, highlighting their specific opportunities and challenges. Attendees will be guided on how to formulate market entry strategies tailored to the local context, ensuring effective tapping into the region’s potential.

Building strong partnerships with distributors

One of the keys to successful business operations in Latin America is building strong relationships with local partners. Distributors in the region play a vital role in navigating local market idiosyncrasies and managing regulatory complexities. Our workshop will offer practical tips and strategies to identify and establish profitable, enduring relationships with the right distributors, forming the backbone of your business operations.

Sourcing the right medical devices

“A comprehensive understanding of the region’s healthcare infrastructure, regulatory landscape, and patient needs is essential for sourcing medical devices suitable for the Latin American market,” emphasizes another expert speaker. Our workshop will share insights on how to ensure that the sourced devices align with market demands and adhere to the necessary quality standards and regulations.

Navigating supply chain challenges

“With challenges ranging from logistics to import regulations, creating an efficient supply chain in Latin America can seem daunting. But with the right knowledge and strategies, these challenges can be overcome,” assures a supply chain veteran. Our experts will share their experiences and provide solutions to help businesses establish efficient, reliable supply chains.

Latin America is open for business

Latin America is indeed open for business, and the healthcare sector is no exception. Despite global economic uncertainties, the region has shown resilience and growth. This sentiment is echoed by the recent surge in investor interest, drawn by the region’s rising economy and favourable business climate.

Economic indicators are promising, with the Latin American economy rebounding strongly post-pandemic. The economic recovery in Latin America has been stronger than expected, and the healthcare sector is a significant contributor to this revival. This revitalised economy, coupled with low investor competition, presents an enticing proposition for healthcare businesses looking to expand their global footprint.

The economic indicators for investment are all giving the green light, as even the top economists couldn’t forecast that Latin America and the Caribbean would be the best-performing regions regarding inflation for 2023. Even Mergers and Acquisitions activity in Latin America and the Caribbean is poised to increase in the second quarter of 2023, as buyers look for growth in key sectors like healthcare and sellers seek to evolve their business to world standards. We can easily define that investors for Q3 and Q4 of 2023 and forward will play a key role in the advancement of the entire region.

The ‘Latin America is Open for Business’ workshop at the Florida International Medical Expo 2023 is more than just a session – it is an opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge from industry veterans, engage in fruitful dialogues, and network with professionals sharing the same vision. George Frazer will be speaking at the workshop on Friday, June 23 at 1:30pm.

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today.

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On the occasion of World Transplant Day, which is observed every year on June 6, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) launched an Organ Donation awareness campaign at its headquarters in Al Jaddaf.

The campaign includes a series of awareness roadshows across public and governmental organisations, hospitals as well as public spaces such as malls.

Related: Dubai Health Authority discusses Dubai Digital Health Strategy with healthcare stakeholders

The first roadshow recently took place at the flydubai Campus. flydubai is one of the UAE’s national carriers and has a workforce of more than 4,900 employees representing 136 nationalities.

The awareness campaign aims to support HAYAT, the registry for the National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation, by providing information about organ donation and encouraging individuals to consider becoming donors.

Related: Dubai: A thriving healthcare business destination

In line with World Transplant Day, the campaign also aims to encourage community members to adopt a healthy lifestyle and regularly undergo health screenings.

As part of the launch of this campaign, DHA organised several health screenings for employees, including blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure screening. Employees also received discount vouchers for gym memberships to encourage them to adopt a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly.

The campaign was attended by Dr. Ali Al Obaidli, Chairman of the UAE National Transplant Committee, Dr Maria Gomez, Director- The National Center for Regulating Donation and Transplantation of Humans Organs and Tissues at the Ministry of Health & Prevention, UAE; all hospitals in Dubai that currently provide organ transplant services, high-level health officials and employees.

Dr. Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of the Health Regulation Sector at the DHA, said: “Organ donation is one of the most selfless acts that can directly save lives. One donation from the deceased donor can save close to eight lives. The aim of this campaign is to increase organ donation rates in the UAE by educating the public about the importance of organ donation and ways to register.”

Al Mulla added that donating an organ is a gift of life to patients suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, lung failure, cirrhosis and kidney failure.

Dr. Hanan Obaid, Director, Health Policies and Standards Department, Health Regulation Sector at the DHA, added: “Organ donation is an opportunity to breathe life into somebody in need. Dubai has built a strong ecosystem to support organ donation and transplantation. We have comprehensive regulatory policies and procedures as well as approved hospitals to provide the highest quality of transplant services.”

Ayesha Al Falahi, Senior Consultant, Organ Donation and Transplantation at the DHA, highlighted: “A person can donate organs such as liver, kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and intestines and tissues such as the cornea, tendons, valves, skin, veins and bones. It is truly a humanitarian and noble act that gives the gift of life to those in need.”

Currently, the centres that offer renal transplants in Dubai are Dubai Hospital, Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital and Mediclinic City Hospital. American Hospital offers Bone Marrow Transplant Services, and the centres that provide corneal transplants in Dubai are Dubai Hospital, Magrabi Eye Hospital Dubai, Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, Barraquer Eye Hospital and Clemenceau Medical Center.

This month, the campaign will take place across Rashid Hospital, Dubai Hospital, Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, Mediclinic City Hospital and King’s College Hospital London, UAE.

UAE residents can register on the HAYAT platform here.

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Randox have released an automated test for levels of BNP, which is a protein made by your heart and blood vessels. Elevated levels of BNP are indicative of several comorbid conditions, such as Congestive Heart Failure, Coronary Heart Disease, Atrial Fibrillation, Chronic Renal Failure and Chronic Respiratory Disease. It has additionally been shown to be associated with ischemic stroke and pre-eclampsia.

This control is designed to be used alongside the Acusera range of third-party controls, the Acusera 24.7 software will help to monitor and interpret QC data.

Related: Randox Laboratories launches Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA)

With access to an impressive range of features which includes interactive charts, automatic calculations of measurement uncertainty and sigma metrics, and live peer group data generated from our extensive database of laboratory participants, ensuring Acusera 24.7 is the most comprehensive package that is available.

Acusera true third-party controls offer complete test menu consolidation for laboratory Internal Quality Control. Providing accurate and reliable sample material and delivering results that you can trust.

Features and benefits:

• A true third-party solution, the new Acusera BNP Control is designed for use with in vitro diagnostics assays for the quantitative determination of BNP in human serum and plasma.
• The BNP control delivers an Unbiased, independent assessment of analytical performance, helping to ensure accurate and reliable patient testing for BNP. With a 30-day open-vial stability, the BNP control will reduce waste, whilst remaining easy and convenient to use.
• Optimised for use on Beckman, Abbott and Siemens systems, these controls are also suitable for other platforms.

The medical device market is a US$495 billion market and is expected to grow to over $700 billion by 2029. While the market offers great opportunities for manufacturers, medical device imports and exports also present unique safety challenges for policymakers. Businesses considering importing or exporting medical devices should do thorough research ahead of time and consult with a trade attorney to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. 

Importing Medical Devices 

Imports of medical devices are governed by the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which is administered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All commercial imports of these items are subject to approval by the FDA, prior to being cleared by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). 

Checklist to Import Medical Devices 

Related: Latin America: A prospective future in healthcare

At the time of importation, the FDA has the authority to examine your products. Importers should ensure their devices comply with all applicable requirements, including: 

• Premarket Notification 510(k): Some medical devices require premarket submissions to demonstrate that the devices are safe and effective. 
• Premarket Approval (PMA): The FDA’s process of regulatory and scientific review to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of certain devices. 
• Establishment Registration and Listing: Establishments that produce and distribute medical devices in the United States are required to register with the FDA. Most of these establishments are also required to list the device at that establishment. 
• Labelling Requirements: Devices are properly labelled in accordance with FDA regulations. 
• Medical Device Reporting: The importer has met the mandatory reporting requirements for medical devices. 
• US Designated Agent: Foreign manufacturers must designate a U.S. agent who will be responsible for assisting the FDA with communicating with the foreign establishment. 
• Quality Systems Regulation: The manufacturer must maintain a quality system that meets applicable FDA requirements. 

If the FDA finds that a medical device does not meet these requirements, the products may be detained and ultimately refused entry into the United States.   

FDA Enforcement Actions 

The FDA engages in several import compliance and enforcement activities at the point of entry. There are several enforcement and compliance actions the FDA may take: 

• Examination and Sample Collection: The FDA may examine samples of products offered for entry into the US. If the FDA decides to examine your products, a Notice of FDA Action will be issued. 
• Detention and Hearing: If the product appears to be in violation, the product is subject to refusal, and a Notice of FDA Action will be issued. The notice will specify the nature of the violation and provide the importer an opportunity to present supporting evidence to overcome the violation, within a specified time period. 
• Import Alerts/Detention Without Physical Examination (DWPE): Import alerts inform FDA field staff that the agency has enough evidence or other information to allow for DWPE of products. Products are subject to DWPE based on past violations. These violations could be related to the product, manufacturer, shipper and/or other information indicating the product may be in violation of FDA laws. 
• Notice of Redelivery: If the FDA refuses the admission of a product or if a notice of sampling is not complied with, CBP will demand the redelivery of the product to CBP custody. 
• Notice of Refusal: Products can be refused entry into the US if they do not meet the FDA’s requirements. Importers have 90 days to export or destroy the products. 
• Notice of Penalty or Liquidated Damages: CBP may impose liquidated damages for failure to redeliver, export, or destroy merchandise in accordance with the agency’s requirements. 

The standard for detention and refusal is low — detention is permissible without actual observation of a product or its labelling. Additionally, the ability to challenge the FDA is limited almost exclusively to legal, as opposed to factual, issues. 

Exporting Medical Devices 

Related: Sustainably-led FIME to elevate Latin America's medical device business

Significant purchasing power lies outside the United States. Exporting medical devices enables manufacturers to broaden their scope and reach new markets. However, exporters need to be diligent in planning for compliance both in the United States and in foreign markets they are exporting to.  

In the United States, the Department of Commerce and the State Department are the primary governing bodies for exports. For medical devices, foreign governments may ask for an Export Certification from the FDA. 

Here are 11 steps to exporting: 

1. Determine if your company is export ready – are you selling domestically? Do you have enough financial resources? 
2. Create an export marketing plan and export budget – draft a sample export plan.
3. Research where international opportunities exist – research demand, tariffs, and pricing, and talk to other companies that have exported. 
4. Protect your intellectual property – does your product need a patent in foreign markets? 
5. Create an export compliance plan and manual – draft the plan and have an expert review.
6. Foreign country regulations and market adaptation – ensure you are ready to comply with labelling, packaging, and licensing requirements in foreign markets.
7. Determine the best methods of shipping and delivery – research a good logistics partner who can assist you.
8. Determine payment methods – cash-in-advance, letter of credit, open account, etc. 
9. Get export financing, export credit insurance, and available government support – insurance protects exporters from non-payment by a foreign buyer 
10. Continue to assess your exporting success – monitor market trends and changing regulations 
11. Explore additional markets and repeat steps 4 to 10. 

There are significant benefits to medical device manufacturers who can import and export their products. However, customs penalties can be severe and range from fines to criminal penalties in some cases. The best way to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements is to take care in developing a comprehensive compliance plan and to have the plan reviewed by a trade attorney.

Jennifer Diaz, Esq., B.C.S, is a Chambers-ranked, board-certified international attorney, author, public speaker, and is considered a leading expert in International Trade Law by The Florida Bar. She is the founder of Diaz Trade Law, a customs and international trade law firm in South Florida. She will be discussing ‘Navigating FDA and US customs compliance issues when importing medical devices into the US’ on Thursday, June 22 at 2pm at FIME.

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today

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Produced by both normal and malignant prostate cells, PSA functions to liquefy semen in the seminal coagulum allowing sperm cells to move freely and to dissolve the cervical mucus permitting the sperm cells migration to the uterus.

Levels of PSA are low in healthy men but elevate in the presence of prostate cancer and other mentioned conditions.

Related: Breaking the stigma around prostate cancer

PSA screening is recommended for men over 40 years old that would be considered high risk: Black men, men with germline variants of BRCA1 or BRCA2 and/or men with a family history of prostate cancer.

For those not considered to be high-risk, screening is still recommended between the ages of 55-70.

Related: Prostate Cancer: gold standards and new models of care

Features and benefits:

• Manufactured using human serum, ensuring a matrix-like patient sample.
• This control has been optimised for use with Roche systems, but it is suitable for use across a variety of other platforms.
• Liquid Frozen format for convenience and reduced handling errors. It has an impressive open vial stability of thirty days at 2 degrees Celsius – eight degrees Celsius minimising waste. There is also one year of shelf life from the date of manufacture.
• The control has been optimised for use with Roche systems, but it is also suitable for a variety of other platforms.

The demand for quality healthcare services in Latin America continues to grow, but the supply of services has not kept pace, resulting in significant gaps in access. Governments are seeking innovative ways to expand their networks of partners and improve access to healthcare services.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have become an attractive option for expanding healthcare services while requiring only limited up-front capital investment from the public sector.

Related: Sustainably-led FIME to elevate Latin America's medical device business

In recent years, the leading causes of death in many Latin American countries have shifted from communicable diseases and accidents to chronic and non-communicable diseases.

Treating these chronic illnesses requires additional healthcare resources and an increase in expenses. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many Latin American countries have shown resilience and demonstrated strong economic performance. The projected annual growth rate for the coming years varies across different regions and countries, but it is generally expected to be in the range of 3 per cent to 4 per cent. The expansion of formal employment opportunities in some countries has contributed to an increase in healthcare coverage.

Related: Domestic medical tourism on the rise in Latin America

Several countries, including Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, have taken the initiative to implement healthcare reform measures to achieve universal healthcare coverage. PPPs are seen as a promising approach to expanding access to quality healthcare services in the region. Effective PPP frameworks, comprehensive evaluation frameworks, and risk mitigation strategies are essential for ensuring their success.

Colombia and Mexico are cited as having more favourable healthcare PPP markets due to stable economies, expanding healthcare coverage and infrastructure investment, formal PPP legislation, and a favourable political environment.

Overall, the emergence of healthcare PPPs in Latin America offers a promising approach to expanding access to quality healthcare services. However, their success will depend on effective frameworks and strategies, as well as favourable market conditions and political will.

Overview of healthcare funding in Latin America

BRAZIL

• Primarily funded by the government through taxes.
• Public healthcare system called Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS).
• Private healthcare system is available for those who can afford it.
• Funded by private health insurance plans and out-of-pocket payments.

COLUMBIA

• Healthcare is financed through a mix of public and private funding sources.
• Reforms to expand coverage and improve the efficiency of the healthcare system.
• Universal healthcare system called SGSSS.

COSTA RICA

• Financed primarily through taxes and social security system contributions.
• Government reforms to increase spending and improve access to services.
• Establishment of a national health information system.
• Expansion of primary care services.

CHILE

• Healthcare is partially financed by private health insurance plans, out-of-pocket payments, and employer contributions.
• Universal healthcare system called FONASA.
• Reforms to increase public spending and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

HONDURAS

• A mix of public and private funding sources.
• Taxes.
• Social security contributions.
• Out-of-pocket payments.
• Government reforms to expand coverage and improve efficiency.
• Establishment of a national health insurance system.
• Expansion of primary care services.

MEXICO

• Healthcare is provided through public and private systems.
• Public system is divided into Seguro Popular and IMSS.
• Private system is available for those who can afford it.
• Reforms to expand coverage and improve the quality of services.

PERU

• A mix of public and private funding sources.
• Taxes.
• Social security contributions.
• Out-of-pocket payments.
• Reforms to expand coverage and improve the quality of services.
• National health insurance system.
• Health technology assessment agency.

Discover in-depth findings in the ‘Key Insights from Latin America’s Healthcare Public Private Partnerships (PPPs)’ report. Download the report here.

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today.

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In an industry revolutionised by advanced clinical technologies and robotics, there seems to be an increasing demand to incorporate and execute artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions to provide high-quality, patient-centred care while streamlining back-office functions in healthcare delivery systems.  

Healthcare automation makes it easier for clinicians to accurately update patient records and share diagnostic data across providers, thus eliminating time spent on manual labour. Rapid access to patient health data assists providers in determining the intensity of the diagnosis and alternatively devising the necessary treatment plan, avoiding any further complications.   

Related: Better experiences and improved outcomes with AI

The introduction of AI-powered chatbots has proven successful in improving employee productivity by allowing them to focus on more complex tasks and enhancing patient experience by providing round-the-clock services. Smart bots can also effectively trace potentially fraudulent activities and prevent any sort of intentional or unintentional data breaches on healthcare platforms.  

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, several healthcare facilities in the region have also diversified their healthcare operations by introducing smart technological solutions, reducing costs and improving healthcare affordability.  

Related: Dubai Health Authority discusses Dubai Digital Health Strategy with healthcare stakeholders

To increase workforce productivity and improve sector outcomes, the Department of Health- Abu Dhabi (DoH) launched the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tool. This incisive tool digests and automates common processes such as auditing of healthcare professionals and licensing requests. A release by the DoH states that the tool will raise the productivity and quality of services by more than 80 per cent while reducing the duration to complete processes by 90 per cent. Positioning DoH at the forefront of innovation and digital services, RPA will enable the Department’s workforce to focus on the development of processes and drive extraordinary human potential hence increasing employee productivity. 

Earlier this year, Emirates Health Services (EHS) launched the Care AI project, one of the first of its kind in the region. Care AI consists of a basic system for a smart healthcare facility, supported by AI for self-monitoring, tracking patient behaviour and movement, and assisting doctors in diagnosing patenting using computer vision. Additionally, Care AI automatically updates and analyses patient data and uses AI-based technology to provide the required treatment based on the gathered information.  

To enhance the efficiency of its facilities and ensure seamless provision of its services, Abu Dhabi Healthcare Services (SEHA), in collaboration with SEDCO and Emitac, installed self-service kiosks and patient flow management systems across 40 departments including their outpatient labs, radiology centres and pharmacies. These kiosks come with interactive dashboards and advanced reporting systems, allowing SEHA management to monitor operations, service delivery and resources utility. In-depth reports are then generated, which allows for making better decisions pertaining to resource allocation and spending.  

As technology continues to advance and the goal is to introduce solutions for providers and patients, automation of healthcare services makes it much easier to focus on patient-centred and value-based care.  

Back to Technology

Being healthy is not a passive or static state but a dynamic and conscious development of the whole self. Time and again, studies have linked wellness to intentions. However, the pandemic has led people to view wellness as more than medicine and physical activity. As a result, the global wellness economy is expected to grow by an average of 9.9 per cent per year, reaching nearly US$7.0 trillion by 2025. In fact, between 2020 and 2021 alone, the amount invested in innovative wellness technologies doubled to almost US$45 billion.

The sector is growing not only in terms of service providers but also seeing a trend where the responsibility for our health is transferring from doctors and care systems to ourselves as each of us has more technology at our disposal. These could be app sign-ups or online challenges. Going by the numbers, there are over 400,000 different wellness apps available on the App Store, but over 95 per cent of downloaded apps are deleted the same day because they don't contribute to a balanced wellness plan.

Related: Why GCC states need to focus on lifestyle diseases

In recent decades, several biomedical researchers have highlighted the close relationship between immunological, physical, emotional and psychological states of consciousness, on the one hand, and chemical mediation processes, on the other, to show their psycho-chemical interdependence. This gave rise to the emerging medical discipline of PNEI (psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology). This wellness concept aims to strengthen natural resistance to disease and emphasises that the immune system's role is not to defend the body against external factors but to preserve the human capacity to be healthy and fight inflammation and infection through holistic well-being.

Not surprisingly, there is a lot to unpack in the term 'holistic wellness'; it goes beyond supplements, exercise and medicine and becomes a lifestyle.

Related: Digital wellness wearables evolve from trendy gadgets to integral part of healthcare

Khalid Nahhas, co-founder of The Bridge Wellness Hub, says, "In our research on building balanced wellness in the community, we have found that lifestyle makes all the difference. We have learned that in functional medicine, or what is now called lifestyle medicine or network medicine, everything is connected and affects our health. Whether it's something severe or light, it's always about lifestyle.

"By lifestyle, I mean how you sleep, how you breathe, how you control your stress, what you eat, how often you exercise, how you take care of your environment, how toxic the water is that you drink, how good the air is that you breathe in at home or work and so on. So it's this holistic awareness and holistic lifestyle that affects the quality of your well-being."

Khalid Nahhas

Among the most important parts of holistic wellness is a focus on health that goes beyond medicines and supplements to include medical devices and personal health trackers. Fitness is among the sub-sectors associated/ or most commonly confused with wellness. Today it is one of the most diversified sectors with a growing trend of offering at-home services.

Another important part of holistic wellness is getting better nutrition, as consumers want their food to not only taste good but also help them achieve their wellness goals. Studies have found that more than a third of consumers worldwide say they are "likely" or "definitely" to spend more on nutrition apps, diet programmes, juice cures and food subscriptions in the next year.

Mental health and better sleep have also been in the spotlight recently, with more than 50 per cent of consumers saying they want more products and services addressing the need for better sleep and focusing on mindfulness.

Post-pandemic people really thought about what was most important to them, and the answer, for many, was their well-being. This has fuelled the growth of the industry globally and in the UAE.

Interconnected wellness: Bridging people to a better life

Holistic wellness strategies have been recognised by many experts and world-renowned wellness experts such as Dr. Mark Hyman, Dean Ornish and Dr. Esselstyn, challenging us to rethink biology, health and the process of ageing. The Bridge Wellness Hub at Al Qana in Abu Dhabi is one of the leading integrative wellness hubs in the UAE, utilising scientific findings from large-scale research on holistic health principles that understand and emphasise the importance of stress management, nutritious diet, regular exercise, restful sleep, rest, fun and social interaction in our daily lives.

Nahhas adds: "Most diseases in modern society are somehow related to our lifestyle choices. The holistic wellness philosophy should show everyone that there is a positive approach to living better. Today's consumers value natural and clean products in various areas, such as skin care, multivitamins, subscription food and sleep aids. They also value personalisation more than ever and want to keep track of their improvements. Hence, wellness service providers who can connect one to the entire wellness ecosystem providing physical, mental, and soul rejuvenation, are winning. We at Bridge also fall into this category. Fitness is still part of The Bridge programme but is introduced in a more gentle and sustainable mode for the community to adopt at all levels."

Holistic wellness is here to stay, as most consumers do not want a single solution to help them with all facets of wellness, suggesting that targeted enhancements are a more effective approach. If the pandemic has taught us one thing, is that physical and mental health will remain a priority for millions of people worldwide for a long time to come.

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