DUBAI — Arab Health 2018 – the largest exhibition for healthcare and trade professionals in the MENA region – kicked off Monday, hosting more than 4,200 exhibiting companies and 8,000 delegates from across the globe; from Jan. 29 to feb. 1 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai and the minister of finance and industry of the United Arab Emirates, inaugurated the Arab Health 2018. Sheikh Hamdan toured the exhibition along with local and regional dignitaries, including Humaid Al Qatami, chairman of the board and director general of Dubai Health Authority, Dr. Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, minister of health of Saudi Arabia and Dr. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Obaid Al Saeedi, minister of health of Oman.

In line with the UAE Vision 2021 which aims to achieve a world-class healthcare system, Dubai is host to some of the world’s leading medical experts and most innovative healthcare companies such as Getinge, Philips, Siemens Healthineers, Dräger and Masimo.

“We’re excited to kick off the 43rd Arab Health which is expected to welcome more than 4,200 exhibiting companies and 103,000 attendees from 150+ countries. With the demand for healthcare products and services continuing to increase within the region, Arab Health is a must-visit exhibition for anyone associated with the industry, not only in the Middle East but across the globe,” commented Ross Williams, exhibition director of Arab Health.

Exhibitors displayed groundbreaking products, including the real-time, image-guided surgical robot from Johns Hopkins University that was recently used to insert screws into a patient’s spine. Other highlights such as the augmented reality system developed by Novarad, the world’s first robotic 3600 breast thermography system from Cura, and the artificial intelligence enabled Somatom Edge Plus CT scannerby Siemens Healthineers, highlighted recent cutting edge solutions in the sector.

“At Siemens Healthineers we aim to lead healthcare innovation that enables providers to achieve better outcomes at lower costs. This is why we are continuously developing our products and service portfolio, as well as our training courses that help medical professional develop skills needed for the future. The products we’ve launched here at Arab Health 2018, including the Cios Spin mobile C-arm and the Mammomat Revelation, are redefining the biopsy workflow in mammography and are pushing the boundaries of precision medicine and patient comfort,” commented Ole Per Maloy, the new managing director of Siemens Healthineers, Middle East and South East Africa.

Manufacturers and providers of personalized healthcare products and services showcased pioneering technologies in the first-ever Personal Healthcare Technology Zone. Taking up an area of more than 800sqm, the zone featured smart watches, health monitors, telemedicine technologies, and mobile device accessories.

As part of the Personal Healthcare Technology Zone, the recently introduced Product Demo Zone also featured the latest ‘Smart’ healthcare products, from a healthcare concierge app which helps you connect to pharmacies and doctors, to the first smartphone electrocardiograph that enables remote reporting, to glucose monitoring devices.

A key exhibitor at the Product Demo Zone, Richard Thomas, managing director of Activinsights commented: “Arab Health is the perfect platform to showcase our latest innovative products, such as the Activinsights Band, which delivers efficient diagnostic solutions for healthcare providers and patients alike. Wearables and smart technologies are truly transforming the healthcare market, enabling higher quality and more efficient solutions.”

The 3D Medical Printing Zone returns for a second year in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority, displaying the most innovative technologies that are revolutionizing the healthcare sector and the limitless clinical applications of 3D printing.

Accompanying the exhibition this year are 19 business and Continuing Medical Education (CME) conferences as part of the Arab Health Congress. The Connected Care Conference made its debut at this year’s congress with a focus on the industry’s most pressing issues including cyber security, remote patient monitoring and digital health surveillance. Arab Health’s newly accredited CME 3D Medical Printing Conference also highlights the innovative healthcare advancements and discussed the challenges of regulating this new technology.

With the aim of bridging the gap in medical knowledge, the carefully designed congress provides updates and insights into cutting edge procedures, techniques and skills on: Imaging and Diagnostics; Surgery; Orthopaedics; Paediatrics; Connected Care; Public Health Forum; Biomedical Engineering; 3D Medical Printing; Emergency Medicine; Family Medicine; Hypertension; Anaesthesia; Obesity; Quality Management; Trauma and Acute Care Surgery; Gastroenterology; Respiratory Medicine; Dental and Pharmacotherapy. — SG