Healthcare & Medicine

Abu Dhabi: Health care opportunities

Successful health care reforms, potential privatization and growing patient demand make Abu Dhabi's health sector an attractive investment opportunity. Zaid Al Siksek, the chief executive of the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD), told OBG, "The story of privatization is evolving in the sense that we are planning to privatize some assets in the future. Before you can do that, however, you need to show investors they will get the right return on investment in a transparent fashion." HAAD is doing this, it says, by creating a clear financing system with fixed prices, linked to key performance indicators for health providers. It is also releasing regular statistical data regarding population, demographics and growth in patient demand. (Source: OBG)

iCT Health signs deal with Riyadh Military Hospital for first in the region web-based electronic medical records solution

iCT Health, the healthcare technology company that provides innovative and powerful life care solutions that transform care delivery, announced that it has signed a deal with Riyadh Military Hospital (RMH) to provide the leading Saudi Arabian hospital network with its user-friendly web-based electronic medical records solution - the first healthcare network in the region to benefit from the technology. From late 2010, the solution, which uses the 'Sunray Web Healthcare Portal' and 'Oracle HTB' platforms, will allow access of information beyond borders by enabling users across the RMH network to collect data in one accessible system, which can then be accessed and managed via a centralized clinical data repository and portal - at the touch of a button. The solution, which will automate and streamline standard workflows and clinical information system requirements, will allow RMH to enjoy the benefits of an integrated, web-enabled, secure, scalable, robust and modular healthcare application. The RMH network, which comprises six hospitals across Saudi Arabia's central region, will use the system for medical records, clinical analysis, pharmacy and laboratory order management, drug usage, insurance claims management, healthcare analytics and performance management, as well as enterprise-wide information management.

Lebanon: Health boost

Lebanon is working to implement a sweeping overhaul of its health sector, aiming to upgrade the direct provision of services, put in place more cost-effective management practices and expand basic medical coverage to all members of society. With one of the highest per-capita outlays for health services provision of any country in the region, Lebanon spends US$820 per person annually. The most recent World Health Organization figures put Lebanon's total expenditure on health at 8.9 per cent of GDP and 11.9 per cent of total state outlays. While expenditure may be high, many believe that Lebanon is not getting full value for its money, with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) - the workplace-funded health scheme covering those in contracted employment - heavily in deficit, while state services are under pressure to meet demand. Key to the reforms proposed by the health minister, Mohammad Jawad Khalifa, will be providing insurance to those people who do not have access to coverage through the NSSF or other insurance options. Though people currently without coverage are given free treatment through the Health Ministry, there are concerns that this system does not provide adequate or equitable service. As proposed by Khalifa, the 58 per cent of people not currently covered would be included in a public program giving them the option to access both public and private health care facilities. (Source: OBG)

GCC needs integrated healthcare

In the coming years, the GCC healthcare services sector is predicted to witness major improvements in the quality of services rendered and in competitiveness on a global scale. The region's endeavors in setting up integrated healthcare facilities in the form of healthcare cities and medical hubs, coupled with continuous improvement in technology and infrastructure, will significantly improve the availability and quality of healthcare services in the region. The GCC healthcare sector is on a growth trajectory. The industry is poised for unparalleled and consistent growth accompanied by a fundamental shift in the industry structure, infrastructure quality, payer model and funding options, says Tommy Trask, executive director and head of Equity Research services at Alpen Capital. The countries are likely to experience a sharp increase in healthcare needs primarily led by a growing and ageing population and a rise in chronic non-communicable 'lifestyle' diseases.