Africa Health 2023 will host the esteemed 11th Nursing Conference at the Gallagher Convention Centre in October. Under the theme "Our Nurses, Our Future: Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders," the event will delve into the evolving role of nurses in healthcare delivery, a critical topic for South Africa's health sector. It forms part of a three-day event where healthcare professionals and decision-makers from across Africa gather in Johannesburg.

“Nurses constitute an indispensable cadre of health service providers whose impact on essential health services is irrefutable. Yet, the healthcare system grapples with the challenge of a shortage of nurses.

“In Africa, we’ve acknowledged the need to scale up our education programmes so that more nurses can enter the health system while equally recognising the need for better systemic support for our nurses and more sustainable working conditions. The conference will address these issues, focusing on empowering future generations with the right education, professional development, and leadership training,” says Dr. Bandile Hadebe, spokesperson for the organisers of the event.

Related: Rise of drone delivery service for medical supplies in Africa

The programme will feature key topics such as nursing education, leadership opportunities, nursing advocacy, and the intersection of nursing, healthcare delivery and technological innovations. It will also spotlight the implications of various policies on the future of the nursing profession in South Africa.

Conference Chair, Dr. Sharon Vasuthevan, Education Executive at Life Healthcare Johannesburg, together with other esteemed members of the scientific committee, will guide these discussions, which promise to bring a high level of nuance and insight into contemporary nursing’s most critical issues. Attendees will include Heads of Nursing, Nurse Managers, Nurses, and Nurse Educators.

“Africa Health 2023 is proud to host an event that highlights the role of nurses in shaping the future of healthcare in South Africa. Nurses are pivotal to the healthcare system and are being recognised increasingly for their ability to adapt to technological changes, make complex clinical decisions, and drive the healthcare industry forward,” says Hadebe.

Related: Shared responsibilities pave the way for affordable healthcare in Africa

“This year's Nursing Conference will not only address the need for greater support for nurses in South Africa but will also celebrate the profession's strides in gender inclusivity and its critical role in advancing the healthcare sector.

“The conference will offer a platform to learn about the way forward for nursing education and professional development, identify key policy developments and updates around the nursing profession in South Africa, and gain insights into key opportunities for future nurses and the evolution of the profession,” he adds.

The conference is part of the broader Africa Health 2023 event, running from 17-19 October at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg. The event aims to bridge the gap in medical knowledge by providing the latest insights into cutting-edge procedures, techniques, and skills.

To register for Africa Health, the region's leading healthcare and laboratory event, click here.

Back to Management

With the ever-changing cell and gene therapy (CGT) market dynamics, it is increasingly complex to forecast and enable decision-making in the field but the markets in which CGT operates have a solid influence.  

In a broader market upon which to spread the development costs, such as oncology, where there is usually a larger patient population, therapies can hit a lower price point. For rare or orphan diseases, it may be harder to spread out costs, not to mention geographic considerations that can make the forecasting model quite complex. Reimbursement and cost are crucial parts of the forecasting process as each vial costs thousands or perhaps millions of dollars. Forecasters need to carefully plan for high revenue volatility and alternative payment structures and develop models reflecting the realities of the market.  

Forecasting CGT is not for the faint-hearted and even the most experienced forecasters can get goosebumps. Forecasters need to consider the macro environment factors that are likely to contribute to the growth of the cell and gene therapy market: merger and acquisitions, expansion of technological advancement, expanding application for cell and gene therapies, growing demand for CAR T-Cell therapies as well as new products approvals and increasing pipeline products. A forecaster might have to use not only technical skills but also a deep understanding of this disease and sector to really carve out the insight and be able to predict the future. It is also important to understand that navigating the CGT market can be a challenging task for forecasters. Unlike other therapeutic areas, forecasting CGT treatments and drugs require a unique approach due to the complexity of the disease. 

Related: Hemophilia gene therapy: Where do we stand?

Since CGT treatments are designed to target a particular patient population depending on the disease, forecasting models should factor in every critical element such as patient identification, duration, and time of therapy for different patients. However, it is not always easy to develop detailed and accurate forecasts in this space, especially when the CGT environment is a rapidly evolving one. Hence, there is a significant need to adopt CGT forecasting best practices for better accuracy, increased reliability, and model robustness. 

So, to predict any aspect of the future of this industry, a forecaster can closely monitor the following areas that can help the forecaster win. These include: 

External indicators and competitive intelligence 

Tracking industry pipelines (both preclinical and clinical), US FDA approvals, R&D spending, and M&A trends to provide modality and technology trend insights that directly shape the disease portfolio. These measures are mostly retrospective, but with cautious extrapolation, they can provide a picture of future trends. This includes the size of the clinical development pipeline, the shape of the pipeline, and transition times in the therapy area the forecaster is developing the model. In the industry, real advances and value often occur at the intersections of new therapeutics targeting new mechanisms of disease, enhancements to known mechanisms, and synergistic combinations of these. 

Identify the right target patient pool 

Forecasting in CGT is different from other therapeutic areas because of the significant need to follow patients through different stages, lines, and treatments as they progress through the disease. As important as this is to do, inaccurate identification of the target patient pool has been a common pitfall in CGT forecasting. Forecasters should split the population into smaller and more specific segments, and accurately model them based on incidence, recurrence, diagnosis, treatment, and other important factors to maximise the accuracy of forecast outputs. 

Understanding dynamic patient flows 

Forecasters must be able to model patients through the different stages of the disease as CGT therapy models have become more complex. They need to assess the advancement of each patient segment, understand how patients move between the lines of therapy, analyse dosing regimens, rates of progression, remission, and discontinuation, patient dependency on old and new drugs or therapies, and more. A holistic understanding of the disease space is the need of the hour. 

Longevity and duration of treatment 

There are no longer relevant to the forecasting process, at least not in the same way. Every time a patient is successfully treated, the prevalent population shrinks and, ultimately, demand is limited to incident patients. As one-time therapies, the duration of treatment is not relevant. But at the same time, patient drop-off throughout the treatment journey is essential to capture in modeling. 

Related: Whole genome sequencing expected to be more prominent in medical solutions

Supply chain, digital and market access 

Referrals to treatment centres and proximity to patients have become highly relevant. CGTs can only be administered at authorised treatment centres, requiring referrals for most patients. Referral rates themselves, the proximity of patients and referring sites to treatment centres all affect treatment volume. Supply chain and manufacturing complexity must be reflected in forecasts that previously assumed “infinite” manufacturing capacity.  

Digital enhancements and foundation elements (for example, telehealth, semi-automated remote monitoring, and eSource-centric clinical trial solutions) assure more precise and efficient care, access, and research; their usage to garner important patient-level data. It is important that RWE is adequately incorporated into the modelling process. 

Maintain peer-to-peer relationships 

It is important to maintain an open dialogue with peers in the industry to constantly learn about their pain points and be active leaders in scientific societies and conferences across drug discovery and development. The interplay with these industry leaders will enable the forecaster to validate their perspectives and assumptions which make the models closer to reality.  

Conclusion 

Once the above is identified the forecaster can now integrate their understanding of the market and deep dive into the following to build robust platforms to enable decision making.  

Over the past few years, we have seen the ability of the industry to remain agile and adapt to new challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient needs are one of the key indicators that have been, currently is, and will remain on top to ensure the future success of the industry.  

While the CGT industry has seen life-changing innovations, there is still a substantial unmet need to address indications and disease areas that have not been successful to date. The future of the industry must remain focused on the ability to meet patient needs with innovative medicines, which will continue to be relative to what the market needs. A forecaster’s role thus becomes extremely critical and non-negotiable to ensure that the organisation wins. After all, an organisation wins if a patient is cured.

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

Back to Management

Africa is experiencing a boom in the drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry, which is growing into a sizeable business. People are starting to understand the various advantages of employing drones for both commercial and non-commercial uses, which has helped this quickly developing industry thrive. 

This trend can be attributed to poor road infrastructure, of which drones are proving to be an efficient way of providing logistical services for the delivery of supplies in rural areas. It might interest one to know that two-thirds of the estimated 287,000 women who died in 2020, did so in sub-Saharan Africa from pregnancy- and childbirth-related illnesses that may have been avoided. Due to the lengthy travel times required by conventional modes of transportation and the terrible state of the roads, the blood could not reach the patient quickly enough.  

In Africa, drones are increasingly utilised to spray larvicide in wetlands to combat malaria by donor organisations, carry blood and vaccines to isolated locations. It is no surprise that this was the motivating factor behind Life Bank located in Nigeria was originally founded to save postpartum haemorrhage mothers from bleeding to death through the timely provision of blood transfusion supplies. The organisation has also taken steps to launch its blood deliveries and sample pickups via drones. 

Related: Shared responsibilities pave the way for affordable healthcare in Africa

Drone delivery in healthcare has the ability to decrease costs, protect supply chain integrity, get around geographic restrictions, and speed up and improve delivery. In nearby Rwanda in Eastern Africa, Zipline supplies blood and medical supplies in 45 minutes to the farthest location within their distribution sphere. This could be a distance that could take as much as four hours to cover depending on the road conditions. 

Similarly in Malawi, Matternet, a Swiss drone logistics company, has partnered with various organisations in Africa to facilitate the delivery of medical supplies. The most prominent of its partnerships remains collaboration with UNICEF to speed up infant HIV testing and diagnosis. 

In Tanzania and Rwanda, Wingcopter seems to have been enhancing their accessibility to remote and inaccessible regions by designing versatile drones capable of vertical takeoff and landing. They have successfully used their drones to deliver medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic samples, strengthening the healthcare systems in these African nations. 

Related: East Africa keenly explores blockchain technology in healthcare

As technology continues to evolve and drone delivery continues to establish the potential to revolutionise healthcare access in Africa, undeniably, there are issues that need to be resolved. Some of the main obstacles to overcome are regulatory frameworks, airspace laws, privacy issues, and public acceptance. For thorough regulations to be created and safe and responsible drone delivery services to be implemented, collaboration between governments, healthcare organisations, and drone manufacturers is essential. 

The exploration of drone delivery services for medical supplies in Africa holds immense promise for improving healthcare access and saving lives. Drone delivery for medical supplies in Africa represents a significant step toward achieving equitable healthcare access and improving the well-being of communities throughout the continent.  

By embracing this innovative solution, Africa would be taking great strides at the forefront of revolutionising healthcare logistics and creating a brighter future for healthcare delivery. 

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

To register for Africa Health, the region's leading healthcare and laboratory event, click here.

Back to Management

Cisco Talos Intelligence Group, one of the largest commercial threat intelligence teams in the world, released its report for the second quarter of 2023, highlighting the most common attacks, targets, and other significant trends. The findings show how a lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) remains one of the biggest impediments to enterprise security.

Carrying out ransomware attacks is likely becoming more challenging for hackers due to global law enforcement and industry disruption efforts, though it still saw a rise to 17 per cent of engagements. The biggest – and a growing – threat responded to by Talos Incident Response (IR) in Q2, however, was data theft extortion incidents that did not encrypt files or deploy ransomware.

The findings also show that, continuing a trend from the first quarter, healthcare remains the most-targeted vertical, accounting for almost a quarter of all incident response engagements, closely followed by financial services. In a reverse of Q1 trends, web-shells engagement – malicious scripts that enable threat actors to compromise web-based servers exposed to the internet – declined.

Commenting on the report’s findings, Fady Younes, Cybersecurity Director, EMEA Service Providers and MEA, Cisco, said: “People are often the prime target for any cyber-attack, they are the gateway to the central infrastructure of a company or organisation. Fortunately, the vast majority of cyber threats can be overcome with awareness, common sense, and a critical approach to security when moving in cyberspace. We can also stay ahead of the game by leveraging advanced technologies to analyse vast amounts of data in real-time and identify potential threats before they can cause any damage.”

Related: North America sees growing investment in healthcare cybersecurity market

Top threats observed in the second quarter of 2023

Data theft: Data theft extortion was the top observed threat this quarter, accounting for 30 per cent of Cisco Talos Incident Response (Talos IR) engagements this quarter, overtaking web-shells and still ranking above ransomware. The rise in data theft extortion incidents compared to previous quarters is consistent with public reporting on a growing number of ransomware groups stealing data and extorting victims without encrypting files and deploying ransomware.

Ransomware: Ransomware is the second most observed threat for Q2. The Clop ransomware group exploited a major vulnerability in the MOVEit file transfer software. This has led to many follow-on instances of data theft, with more than 200 companies affected as of early July.

Exploiting public-facing applications: Exploitation of public-facing applications has seen a significant decrease – down to 22 per cent (from 45 per cent last quarter) of engagements.

Related: Strategies to protect Saudi Arabia healthcare from cyberattacks

Additional observations

• The report showed that 30 per cent of engagements lacked multi-factor authentication or only had it enabled on select accounts and services.
• Observed in over 50 per cent of engagements this quarter, PowerShell is a dynamic command line utility that continues to be a popular utility of choice for adversaries.

For more details on Cisco Talos' Q2 2023 findings, click here.

Access the must-read eBook on AI here to discover perspectives on its transformative role in the healthcare industry.

Back to Technology

The recent cyberattack in the US highlighted the vulnerability of hospitals to the growing threat of cybercriminals. Facilities in several states, operated by Prospect Medical Holdings, were involved in the data security incident in which hackers disrupted hospital computer systems. Emergency rooms were forced to close, and ambulances had to be diverted while security experts worked to resolve the issue.

Healthcare organisations globally are now a prime target for cyberattacks and facilities in Saudi Arabia (KSA) are not immune. The weakest link in any computer system is the user and when hospital data becomes compromised, the stakes are high, providing cybercriminals with opportunities to exploit. Identifying potential vulnerabilities and implementing cybersecurity strategies is crucial to mitigating these risks. Investments in IT infrastructure, skill development, and enhanced regulatory frameworks are essential for safeguarding the resilience and security of KSA’s healthcare systems.

Related: Strengthening cybersecurity and data privacy in healthcare

While KSA has seen impressive development in line with Vision 2030, as healthcare becomes more digitised and interconnected, the potential for cyberattacks inevitably grows. Cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive patient information and ensure the seamless delivery of critical medical services has never been higher.

The frequency and severity of cyberattacks on organisations are alarming. Between mid-2021 and mid-2022, KSA and the UAE experienced the highest number of ransomware attacks among GCC nations, as reported by cybersecurity company Group-IB. Group-IB's CEO, Dmitry Volkov, highlighted ransomware as a significant threat for 2023, with rising ransom demands.

According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, in 2023, data breaches cost organisations an average of US$4.45 million, a 15 per cent increase in three years. With 51 per cent of companies planning increased security investments post-breach, including incident response, employee training, and threat detection tools, the urgency to strengthen cybersecurity measures in healthcare is evident.

A report by a leading cybersecurity company, Proofpoint Inc., revealed the majority of top hospitals in the UAE and KSA are lagging behind on basic cybersecurity measures. The findings were based on a Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) analysis. DMARC enhances email communication security with three protection levels — monitor, quarantine and reject. The analysis revealed only 28 per cent of UAE and KSA hospitals have implemented ‘reject’ — the strictest level of protection, which means many users are not protected from potential e-mail fraud.

Emile Abou Saleh, Regional Director, Middle East and Africa for Proofpoint, said: “The healthcare industry is rapidly becoming a target for cybercriminals due to the sensitive patient data these institutions hold. From an attacker’s perspective, healthcare organisations are high-value targets for ransomware attacks as they would have great motivation to pay up to restore systems quickly.”

He added: “A broader security strategy will be crucial to secure the future of the healthcare sector in the UAE and KSA, which has been identified as a priority under the respective national agendas of both countries. The healthcare industry must pursue a security strategy focusing on people because threats will continue to convince victims to click malicious links, download unsafe files, install malware, and disclose sensitive information. Their security strategy will have to adapt to new business models to protect health information wherever it is stored – whether within the hospital or beyond.” (source)

Common cyber threats include data breaches, ransomware and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks which overwhelm a network so it can no longer operate. In ransomware attacks, hackers infect files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. When these attacks hit hospitals, internet-based tools critical to patient care, patient health records, imaging and lab results, and communication links with other departments or hospitals are cut-off, leading to major financial and reputational damage.

Sophisticated attacks demonstrate the need for stringent cybersecurity measures in healthcare. Key vulnerabilities in the healthcare systems of GCC countries could range from insufficient IT infrastructure to data management practices. Relying heavily on third-party vendors for healthcare technology could also introduce security risks if providers do not have stringent cybersecurity protocols. A lack of comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity plans can impact the healthcare system's ability to quickly respond to an attack.

Related: Why data governance in healthcare is essential to improve quality of care

Healthcare institutions in KSA should be implementing cybersecurity strategies to shield against these threats. Establishing a security culture is also vital in raising awareness and protecting healthcare organisations. Security practices must be built in alongside regular employee training, best practices implemented with support from cybersecurity experts, and the use of multi-factor authentication, firewalls, encryption, backups and incident response plans are imperative.

Collaboration among stakeholders including KSA’s healthcare institutions, IT experts, and cybersecurity firms is needed which requires knowledge sharing on vulnerabilities, customised tech solutions, and risk assessments. Continuous monitoring, cutting-edge technology integration, and regulatory compliance will ensure greater protection. The key is to always plan for the unexpected with drills and develop advanced strategies through joint innovation and research efforts. Together, these endeavours can create a resilient defence, safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s critical healthcare systems and patient data against the growing threat of cyberattacks.

To learn more about the latest developments in Saudi Arabia's healthcare industry, attend the Global Health Exhibition taking place from 29-31 October at Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center (RFECC). Click here to know more.

Back to Technology

The US government and healthcare regulators have been encouraging healthcare organisations to adopt electronic health records software since 2009. Though many care providers praise EHRs for their multiple benefits, others, especially small and medium-sized practices, are hesitant to join the trend due to the difficulties the implementation poses. To successfully implement an EHR system, providers must first of all clearly understand which obstacles are holding them back and how to get around them.

Cost of EHR implementation

Many healthcare practitioners consider EHR implementation too expensive for their budgets. The ONC estimated that upfront costs for an EHR licence are between US$15,000 and US$70,000. Some providers opt for SaaS solutions that cost cheaper upfront but have a higher yearly price. However, this type of EHR comes with its hidden costs — it is more difficult to implement, personnel training takes longer, and customisation is comparably expensive.

We advise healthcare practitioners who are on the fence about implementing electronic health records to decide which features are the most important and nice to have and start with a more basic version of EHR software. If the budget is tight, a healthcare organisation can always go for a virtually free SaaS EHR with a limited feature set that is monetised via advertisements shown to doctors and patients.

However, many of the cheaper or open-source systems are not properly certified, so you will not be able to meet the Meaningful Use criteria and thus qualify for reimbursement. Therefore, sometimes it is more economically viable to go for a more expensive certified solution. All in all, carefully research and consider your options before embarking on an implementation journey, because most providers get ROI on their EHR in two to three years after the adoption.

Related: Top 3 electronic health record implementation risks and how to manage them

Burnout among healthcare professionals

Definitive Healthcare and Vocera found out that 77 per cent of healthcare professionals heavily associate daily EHR-related tasks with burnout. The reason is the cognitive overload of filling out multiple forms while paying attention to alerts of varied priority and conversing with patients and colleagues. That is why physician-owned healthcare organisations put off adopting software out of fear it will reduce their personnel’s job satisfaction.

To avoid such negative effects, hospitals need to consider EHR usability during the software selection phase. A majority of clinicians agree that intuitive interfaces, fewer pop-up windows, and more intelligent alert routing would drastically improve their satisfaction with the system. Another valuable EHR implementation step that should never be skipped is user training. Research shows that clinicians who received sufficient EHR training are generally more satisfied and less likely to burn out than their untrained colleagues.

Data governance of EHR

Electronic health records can be a valuable source of data for healthcare analytics. If processed correctly, patient information stored in such systems can help improve the efficiency of the healthcare industry. But if leaked, such data can damage lives, reputations, and the well-being of millions of people. Thus, one of the main tasks of an EHR system is to make sure patient data stays safe, secure, relevant, and accessible for proper processing.

However, the qualities of the software itself alone are not enough to ensure proper data management. Any healthcare organisation should have a solid data governance strategy that covers all aspects of patient data handling, including how it is acquired, stored, transferred, and disposed of in the EHR system. Personnel who work with patient data in any capacity should also understand their organisation’s strategy and have sufficient information and training to follow it.

Related: MEA marks advances in electronic health record systems

Early-stage interoperability

The EHR interoperability issue gained the spotlight during the pandemic when doctors simply did not have time to transfer data from one system to another manually, but it continues to be a headache for many healthcare organisations. Manual data transfer contributes to errors, duplicates, and clinicians’ dissatisfaction. It is also one of the reasons for untimely or inappropriate clinical decisions regarding patients transferred from one facility to another, as clinicians do not receive timely patient history due to the inability to transfer it from one EHR to another.

This problem makes healthcare professionals question why they should adopt EHR software at all if it does not help them streamline interactions between various providers or even departments. This is why hospitals should consider interoperability during the earliest stages of EHR implementation and enquire about the interoperability options of the software they are planning to adopt.

Additionally, healthcare organisations can hire a consultant and integration services provider to ensure their software is well-incorporated into the healthcare IT ecosystem and can exchange data safely and quickly.

In conclusion, electronic health records software can help healthcare providers get competitive advantages and serve their patients better. Unfortunately, implementing EHRs comes with a set of challenges that turn many healthcare organisations away from adopting a system. Some providers find the software too expensive, others worry about security, and many hospitals do not want to put additional pressure on their personnel.

To successfully implement an EHR, a provider should clearly understand their requirements for the system and partner with a reliable and experienced vendor that will guide them.

Sergey Ivanov is the Head of Healthcare Solutions Department at iTransition.

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

Back to Technology

Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of medicine is a constant challenge for healthcare professionals, and staying abreast of the latest trends and patterns in healthcare is crucial to effectively and accurately treating patients. Throughout my career as a physician, one thing has remained constant: the prevalence of common misconceptions surrounding cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Gulf.

Despite being the world's number one killer, CVD remains a silent assailant, often concealing its presence until it is too late. It encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels through the accumulation of cholesterol, fat, and other substances that cause plaque within the arteries, compromising blood flow to vital organs. If an artery becomes completely blocked or if a blood clot forms, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke, causing irreversible damage or even death.

While the exact causes of CVD can vary, risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle significantly contribute to its development. Regular cholesterol testing is crucial in managing the rising prevalence of CVD. By understanding the risk factors, such as low, moderate, high, or very high, and setting specific targets for LDL cholesterol levels (e.g., below 116mg/dL for low risk, below 100mg/dL for moderate risk, below 70mg/dL for high risk, and below 55mg/dL for very high risk), people can make informed decisions and take proactive, preventive measures.

Related: Wearable medical devices for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases gain traction

Public health campaigns and educational initiatives can play a vital role in dispelling these misconceptions and provide accurate information about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of CVD. On the other hand, patients who have already been diagnosed with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) require tailored care and intervention.

However, what we see in the healthcare space is numerous persistent misconceptions about CVD that foster a false sense of security among both the public and potential patients that deter them from taking necessary precautions or seeking appropriate medical care. In the Gulf, where CVD is responsible for 40 per cent of deaths and its risk factors like dyslipidaemia impact over 70 per cent of Emirati adults, this trend is particularly detrimental.

Unless effective intervention is implemented, the projected global annual deaths from cardiovascular disease are expected to increase from 17.5 million in 2012 to 22.2 million by the year 2030. Hence, the significance of illuminating the truth relating to cardiovascular disease and the importance of debunking misconceptions. This endeavour holds the key to equipping both patients and the public with valuable insights, fostering a shared awareness that has the potential to catalyse a unified drive towards better heart health.

Related: Can technology reduce the heart disease burden?

Debunking myths around cardiovascular disease

Some of the key misconceptions surrounding cardiovascular disease include:

Heart disease only affects older individuals

One prevalent misconception is that heart disease primarily affects the elderly population. However, studies show that the average age of patients with a heart attack in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is 10 years younger than in Western countries.

Heart disease primarily affects men, and women are not at significant risk

While cardiovascular disease affects twice as many men as it does women in the Gulf region, heart disease remains a leading cause of death for women globally. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of approximately one in three women each year. Moreover, research conducted in the UAE has revealed an alarming prevalence of risk factors among women.

Cholesterol is good for your health

While it is true that not all cholesterol is bad, it is very important to understand how to manage your cholesterol levels – and more specifically, your LDL-C or "bad" cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the MENA region. In fact, one study found that 72.3 per cent of adults living in the northern Emirates showed levels of high cholesterol, while 38.6 per cent of them showed elevated levels of LDC-C cholesterol.

Heart disease is primarily caused by genetics and cannot be influenced by lifestyle choices

While certain genetic factors can predispose individuals to heart disease, lifestyle choices play a significant role in its development and progression. According to Harvard Health, nearly half of all premature deaths may be due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as insufficient exercise, poor diet, and smoking.

A healthy diet is the only way to treat or prevent CVD

While a healthy diet is an important part of heart health, it is not the only way to treat or prevent CVD. Other important lifestyle changes include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking. In some cases, medications may also be necessary to help control risk factors for CVD.

If your LDL or "bad cholesterol" is low, you can stop treatment

Even if your LDL cholesterol is low, you may still be at risk for CVD if you have other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. It is important to talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and whether you need to continue treatment even if your LDL cholesterol is low.

By dispelling misconceptions and highlighting the realities of cardiovascular disease and heart health in the Gulf region, we can foster a more accurate understanding of the risks, the need for early intervention, and the importance of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.

As a physician, I stress the importance of regular check-ups with healthcare professionals to identify and manage risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as elevated LDL-C levels, high blood pressure, and elevated glucose levels. Initiatives like the recently launched Unblocked campaign play a crucial role in challenging misconceptions, raising public awareness, and educating individuals about the silent killer, LDL-C, and the importance of screening.

Dr. Farhana Bin Lootah is an Emirati physician with expertise in Endocrinology, Lipidology and Diabetes at the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), AUH.

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Back to Clinical

Empowering the healthcare ecosystem for precision health transformation is crucial in our pursuit of a healthier future. By adopting cutting-edge technologies, patient-centric approaches, and data-driven insights, we can revolutionise healthcare. This article explores the fundamental steps needed to bridge the growth gap and unlock fresh opportunities in this transformative journey.

Patient education: empowering individuals for better health

One crucial aspect that often goes unnoticed is patient education. It is imperative to enhance consumer knowledge regarding health management, enabling them to lead healthier lives for longer periods. This entails educating individuals about health and wellness practices, helping them understand their health results (such as lab diagnostics, genomic findings, and other medical reports), and guiding them on disease management.

By prioritising patient education, healthcare providers can empower individuals to actively participate in their own well-being.

Improving healthcare access: building stronger infrastructure

Across Asian countries, enhancing healthcare access is a critical requirement. The Quintuple Aims —better patient experience, improved population health, reduced costs, enhanced clinician well-being, and optimised healthcare systems — can only be achieved by improving accessibility to care in these regions.

Related: Pioneering integrated diagnostics in precision medicine

While health equity and similar aims are emphasised in the Western region, the fundamental first step for the Asian region lies in enabling access to quality healthcare. This involves establishing robust infrastructure that supports the growing demand for medical services.

Digital tools as catalysts for transformation

To transition from sick care to healthcare, leveraging the vast array of digital tools available is essential. Incorporating these tools will help build an extensive digital data repository focused on healthcare. Data has become the new currency of the healthcare industry, enabling research on biomarkers — both digital and clinical — to uncover disease patterns and drivers of wellness. This wealth of information will enable precision health initiatives, empowering individuals to proactively pursue wellness based on personalised inputs derived from this data.

Related: Data-driven future of healthcare

Strengthening the ecosystem for seamless transition

The Think Tank highlighted several crucial elements that are currently missing from the healthcare ecosystem, inhibiting the transition from sick care to healthcare:

• Consumer and patient drive: The demand for healthcare transformation is increasingly being fuelled by younger, tech-savvy generations who are health-conscious. Their expectations and engagement are driving the need for change.
• Parallel wellness infrastructure: A parallel caregiving infrastructure focused on wellness is necessary to alleviate the burden on existing healthcare providers and systems, which are already overwhelmed with curative care. By shifting the focus towards wellness, the ecosystem can foster a proactive approach to healthcare.
• Seamless connectivity: Establishing appropriate connections between the wellness-focused parallel ecosystem and the existing curative infrastructure is vital. This ensures smooth patient handoffs at the right times, facilitating a holistic approach to healthcare delivery.
• Empowering patients: Equipping patients with the knowledge and skills to manage their own health is crucial for a successful transition. By providing comprehensive health and wellness education, individuals can take charge of their well-being, reducing their reliance on acute care and fostering a preventive mindset.

Conclusion

By prioritising patient education, improving healthcare access, leveraging digital tools, and strengthening the healthcare ecosystem, we can bridge the growth gap and unlock unprecedented growth opportunities.

With a collective focus on these critical areas, healthcare stakeholders can drive meaningful change, leading to a future where individuals are empowered to manage their health and well-being effectively.

Consolidated views of Reenita Das, Partner, Senior Vice President, Frost & Sullivan; G. Sarvanan, Group Chief Information Officer, Thomson Hospital; Dr. Ali Tinazli, CEO, lifespin GmbH; Sebastian Guhrs, Head of Investment, Aescuvest.

 

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

To know more about The Precision Health Transformational Journey and upcoming Frost & Sullivan Growth Council Think Tanks, click here

Back to Management 

Health officials globally are keeping track of new COVID-19 variants, which reportedly have several mutations. The World Health Organisation (WHO) designated a new lineage, known as BA.2.86, as a "variant under monitoring" last week.

BA.2.86, which is being referred to as "Pirola", went on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) watch list last Thursday after being added to the WHO's SARS-CoV-2 variant monitoring list. However, there has been a low number of officially reported cases of this variant. It has been identified in Denmark, the UK, the US, and Israel, and there is no evidence that it spreads quickly or results in more severe sickness.

New COVID-19 mutations

Reports have highlighted that the origins of BA.2.86 differ from the variation targeted by current vaccines because it is generated from an "earlier branch" of the Coronavirus. Meanwhile, the CDC has revealed that another strain, FL.1.5.1, is the second-most common strain in the US, accounting for 13.3 per cent of cases. The number of circulating variants thought to be FL.1.5.1, also known as "Fornax," has nearly doubled from the previous week. Given that they both carry the F456L mutation and have descended from the same XBB variant, EG.5 or Eris and FL.1.5.1 appear to be spreading more quickly.

Related: COVID variant Eris raises concerns as health officials monitor potential threat

Although BA.2.86 has descended from a different Omicron variant and has been conclusively linked to seven cases of COVID-19 worldwide (at the time of writing), experts believe it may be more common. Due to the numerous mutations these variants carry, scientists are particularly worried about it.

The spike protein, which the virus uses to infect human cells and which our immune systems use to identify it, has undergone several mutations. WHO has urged countries to continue COVID-19 surveillance and sequencing but has stated that there is "limited information available right now" on BA.2.86.

Related: Latest COVID spike raises alarm: What's next?

The news of BA.2.86 and FL.1.5.1 comes days after the COVID-19 variant EG.5 swept across the globe. According to health officials, the rapidly spreading variant, also known as Eris, was claimed to be the dominant strain circulating in the US, with a high number of cases and hospitalisations. EG.5 was designated as a "variant of interest" by WHO because its prevalence has increased in contrast to other variations. A little over 20 per cent of COVID-19 cases in the US were linked to EG.5 at the end of the third week of August, more than any other strain, according to estimates from the CDC. 

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Recently, a press conference was held in Tokyo announcing the plans to launch Japan Health, an international exhibition for medical devices and healthcare.

Speakers at the press conference included Dr. Yoshiki Sawa, Director of Osaka Police Hospital and Specially Appointed Professor at Osaka University, who initiated Japan Health and representatives from the Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, and the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, who will be supporting the exhibition.

Large-scale events for medical devices are held every year in various countries around the world, providing a valuable stage that facilitates companies from different countries in entering the market, forming alliances, and encouraging innovation. By hosting a large-scale international event like Japan Health in Japan and promoting Japan’s advanced technology and medical services to the rest of the world, it is hoped that this will stimulate the Japanese medical and healthcare industries overall. It aims to encourage competitiveness and innovation and contribute to medical institutions, patients, and societies around the world.

Related: Future outlook of the global medical tourism industry

As it ties in with the themes of life and co-creation that are central to EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the Japan Health exhibition will be held as an event related to the exposition. Japan Health will also be held annually from 2026 onwards as a legacy of the EXPO.

At the press conference, Dr. Sawa expressed the opinion that if the Japan Health exhibition becomes a place that creates business opportunities, not only for medical devices but also for fields such as regenerative medicine, then it will be a significant development for Japan.

Representatives from the Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, and the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, who will be supporting the exhibition, spoke about the current situation regarding healthcare and medical devices in Japan, their hopes for Japan Health, and expressed that there will be a unified national effort to prepare for the exhibition.

Exhibition overview

Date: June 25 (Wed) to 27 (Fri), 2025

Venue: Intex Osaka (1-5-102, Nanko-Kita, Suminoe-Ku, Osaka 559-0034）

Website: https://japanhealthonline.com/

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