There’s growing interest in the medical technology market found in the Middle East, with industry watchers predicting a likely increase in sales.
One piece of data shows the potential in the Middle East market. Per capita healthcare expenditure was $8,702.72 in the U.S. compared to $627.58 in the Middle East during 2010.
Consider the fact that the Middle East’s population is aging, and more illnesses related to lifestyle are being diagnosed as well.
"The main drivers behind the regional healthcare sector's expansion are increasingly similar to other countries, but while the vast majority of the population in the Middle East is still young, it will become older, placing greater demand on the region's healthcare systems,” Waclaw Lukowicz, CEO at Siemens Healthcare Middle East, said in a recent statement carried by AME Info. “At the same time, many countries are witnessing a rapid increase in lifestyle-related diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary diseases."
“To prevent cost from spiraling and (to) stay on top of the latest technological advances at the same time, innovations that provide increased efficiency and enable early detection while improving workflows will play an ever more important role in the future,” Lukowicz added.
In addition, the UAE’s (United Arab Emirates) medical tourism market totaled about $1.6 billion during 2012 and is predicted to increase by 7 percent in 2013, according to Euromonitor data cited by Gulf News.
Several health tech companies have announced recent contracts in the Middle East. For instance, Siemens has been awarded several health technology contracts in the Middle East, such as: the Tawam Molecular Imaging Center in the UAE, the Children's Cancer Hospital in Egypt, and the Heart Hospital in Qatar.
Siemens Healthcare was among the many companies displaying in recent days at the Arab Health trade show held in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. It introduced wireless ultrasound and an X-ray tube with detectors.
In addition, the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) plans to open centers for oncology, genetic disorders and diabetes, with upgrades in rehabilitation, pediatrics and integrated medicine. DHCC is also adding hospital beds.
Also, the Arabian Healthcare Group (AHG) will set up health centers in the UAE by the end of this year, including for vision, diabetes and rehabilitation.
It was also reported that GE Healthcare will introduce new MRI technology. GE Healthcare showed diagnostic cardiology equipment, such as ECG technology, at Arab Health. Heart and cardiovascular disease is identified as a “major health problem throughout the Middle East,” GE said in a recent statement.
Masimo Corporation is showing its advanced patient monitoring devices. Masimo displayed handheld, mobile, OR, ICU, NICU, and bedside technologies at the Arab Health show, HealthTechZone said.
Imaging Diagnostic Systems also showed the CT Laser Mammography (CTLM) system at the Arab Health Congress.
Edited by
Braden Becker
