Business & Money | Monday 26 October, 2015 11:27 am |

 in Middle East and North Africa

National and international leaders gathered in Dubai on October 13th to contribute to the positive growth and development of the health care system in the Middle East and North Africa.

On October 13th 2015, The Economist Events’ assembled over 150 senior business leaders, policy makers, and healthcare industry experts to discuss future development of the health care system in the region.

The conference, entitled ‘Health Care in the Middle East and North Africa' debated the regions ambitious goals concerning the health care sector. The MENA region has faced a surge in demand for health care services in recent years. Shifting socio-economic factors such as increased income and better access to modern amenities have led to widespread lifestyle changes, fuelling a rise in lifestyle-related illnesses such as cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Topics that were discussed included: Health care policy and the role of industry: aligning public and private sector objectives to drive innovation in health-care delivery; evolving health-care trends: improving accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness; and tackling the talent crisis: education and skills training for a sustainable health-care system.

Non-communicable diseases will account for nearly 60% of the region’s disease burden in the next five years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Diabetes will reach 68 million, or 25% of the estimated population by 2035, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). In response to these trends, regional governments are investing heavily into health care infrastructure, with health care expenditures projected to top $79 billion by the end of this year; an estimated 7.9 per cent increase per annum over the last ten years.  Increasing capacity is helping to improve the availability of high quality medical care in the region, further impacted by emerging universal health care laws. 

Dr Sameen Siddiqi, Director, Department of Health Systems Development at the World Health Organization commented that “Universal health coverage is a strategic goal for countries of the MENA Region that obliges them to commit that all the population is insured, all needed services are covered and all insured people are financially protected. Most governments are unlikely to achieve universal coverage without engaging in meaningful partnerships with the civil society, private health providers and the health associated industry”.

Further key themes of the conference were regarding innovation and quality of care.  “As the most research-intensive industry in the world, research-based pharmaceutical companies partner with government and academia to bring new treatments and cures to patients around the world.  Medical innovation provides many important jobs not just in the laboratory but also in communities everywhere through clinical trials and medical education.  Through this process there is a diffusion of knowledge that will continue to spur innovation.” Said Samir A. Khalil, Executive Director, Middle East & Africa, PhRMA.

“We as leaders are tasked with ensuring the healthcare needs and priorities of the community are met – a task we do not take lightly and one we approach with the sole focus of putting patients first. With the population growing rapidly, and UAE residents becoming much more aware and educated on their healthcare needs, we will continue to see a growth in the demand for health services. This is a challenge we are determined to meet with improved access, streamlined services and a strong commitment to the highest possible quality,” said Benjamin Frank, CEO of SKMC. 

Speakers included: HE Dr Amin  al-Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary, Ministry of Health, United Arab Emirates; Dr Sameen Siddiqi, Director, Department of Health Systems Development, World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (WHO EMRO), Egypt; Dr Petra Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, International Diabetes Federation, Belgium; Dr Benjamin Seet, Executive Director, Biomedical Research Council, A*Star, Singapore, among others.

Health Care in the Middle East and North Africa is open for registration to senior level decision makers, public sector and academia representatives.

The conference was sponsored by PhRMAG, PhRMA, RPC with Philips as a silver sponsor and DuBiotech as an exhibitor sponsor.

Further information is available at: www.hcmena.economist.com and via #hcmena,@EconomistEvents.

About The Economist Events

The Economist Events is the leading provider of international forums for senior executives seeking new insights into strategic issues. These meetings include industry conferences, management events and government roundtables held around the world. As part of The Economist Group, The Economist Events is a highly respected brand with a 162-year history and an unrivalled reputation for excellence and independence. Each meeting organised by The Economist Events delivers objective and informed analysis. Our meetings provide unusually high-level forums where senior executives can gain insights, exchange views and compare strategies. http://www.economist.com/events-conferences/emea