Tag Archives: Medlab Middle East

Kinnos crowned winner of Arab Health Innov8 competition

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 27 January 2022: Kinnos, an infection prevention company pioneering colourised disinfection, has won this years’ Arab Health Innov8 competition, following an intensive week-long judging process that saw a total of 24 different companies pitch over the opening three days of Arab Health, culminating in today’s grand finale.

Kinnos, an infection prevention company pioneering colourised disinfection, has won this years’ Arab Health Innov8 competition

Finalists included UniExo Rehab from Ukraine, who have developed a wearable modular robotic exoskeleton device that helps improve rehab for all limbs; Healthcare X.0 GmbH, a German-based company that has developed a unique software program to package patient data into a digital patient file with a focus on the fight against cancer, and winner, New York-based Kinnos.

Kinnos’ patented Highlight technology standardises disinfection techniques and leads to better metrics. Highlight is the only product on the market designed to provide real-time visual feedback during manual disinfection so that quality is maintained every single time a disinfectant is used.

Jason Kang, CEO, Kinnos, said: “Effective infection prevention requires not just the disinfectant, but also technique in how those disinfectants are used. Yet the status quo makes it virtually impossible to ensure thorough disinfection as it’s currently an invisible process – with transparent disinfectants, you can’t see what you’ve missed. We’re making that easier in a way that transcends language barriers.

Jason Kang, CEO, Kinnos, said: “Effective infection prevention requires not just the disinfectant, but also technique in how those disinfectants are used.

“Moving forward, consumers are expecting enhanced disinfection measures; Highlight is a very intuitive, tangible and visible way for businesses and organisations to show their commitment to safety and provide that better patient experience.”

Highlight works by colouring the liquid bleach and disinfecting wipes that hospitals depend on to clean surfaces, letting users visualise disinfection coverage instantly. The colour lends visibility, reinforces training, and fades to remind users that their disinfectant is still working. In more than one critical healthcare situation, it prevented the use of incorrectly mixed or expired bleach products since its colour fades only if healthcare-strength bleach is utilised.

The judging panel included a renowned number of investors, entrepreneurs and medical experts; among them were Andreea Danila, Founder & General Partner, Global Millennial Capital; Sajjad Kamal, Partner – Healthtech, Global Ventures; and Dirk Richter, Director Health Sector Innovation, Department of Health, Abu Dhabi.

As the winner, Kinnos will receive a complimentary exhibition stand space at Arab Health 2023 and a three-month mentorship programme by Andreea Danila, award-winning entrepreneur and venture capitalist.

Ross Williams, Exhibition Director for Informa Markets, said: “We’d like to congratulate the innovative team behind Kinnos; they have delivered an outstanding product that will undoubtedly support the healthcare industry moving forward, and particularly against the challenges of COVID-19.

Ross Williams, Exhibition Director for Informa Markets, said: “We’d like to congratulate the innovative team behind Kinnos; they have delivered an outstanding product that will undoubtedly support the healthcare industry moving forward, and particularly against the challenges of COVID-19. This is another prime example of the healthcare industry coming together and developing cutting-edge technology to solve a potentially substantial health problem.”

Arab Health and Medlab Middle East conclude today, Thursday 27 January, at 5pm.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

London’s King’s College Hospital to open its doors in Jeddah

Building on the success of King’s College Hospital Dubai, which in a short period of time has become one of the best hospitals in UAE, Ashmore Group, a specialist emerging markets investment manager, in partnership with King’s College Hospital London and Saudi Bugshan Group, is pleased to announce the start of construction of King’s College Hospital Jeddah (“KCHJ”). The hospital is scheduled to open its doors to patients in the second half of 2023, and this is expected to be the first of many similar projects providing Ashmore and King’s the platform for further growth in KSA.

Jeddah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is set to become home to a 150-bed world-class multi-speciality hospital, which will be fully integrated with King’s College Hospital’s facilities in London.

KCHJ will be the country’s first truly integrated hospital bringing the full benefits of King’s College Hospital London to KSA, and playing its role in achieving the Kingdom’s 2030 vision in the healthcare sector. The London-based tertiary hospital is part of the world leading UK National Health Service, with a 180 year history of successfully caring for patients with complex conditions. King’s is also one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK. The hospital’s 13,000+ staff in London treat over one million patients every year.

Scheduled to open in 2023, the state-of-the-art King’s College Hospital Jeddah, located on King Abdulaziz Road, will cover an area of over 32000 square meters, with a capacity of 150 beds in the first phase. The hospital will be staffed with over 1000 leading healthcare professionals, sourced from London, KSA and wider region, delivering care in line with the tested clinical pathways of King’s College Hospital London.

Clinical innovation and smart technologies will be a prominent feature at the hospital, with 40 medical and surgical specialties and four Centres of Excellence in the following Institutes: Women’s Health, Metabolic Diseases & Bariatric Surgery, Orthopaedics and Heart & Vascular. The patient-centred care model, staffing and services will all be fully integrated with King’s College Hospital London, designed to address a range of complex and critical care requirements unique to the residents and communities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Scheduled to open in 2023, the state-of-the-art King’s College Hospital Jeddah, located on King Abdulaziz Road, will cover an area of over 32000 square meters, with a capacity of 150 beds in the first phase.

Ahsan Ali, Head of Healthcare Private Equity at Ashmore commented: “We stand true to our ambition and commitment to bringing the best of British healthcare to the region in partnership with King’s College Hospital London. Following the success of King’s hospital and clinics in Dubai, entering Saudi Arabia marks a new chapter for King’s and Ashmore, with the first project being a landmark hospital in Jeddah. We expect to follow this with the establishment of similar King’s branded facilities, including specialized centres, in other parts of the Kingdom.”

The London and Jeddah hospitals will share knowledge from established King’s research centres in the UK. Utilizing King’s world-leading expertise in healthcare will ensure the very best quality of evidence-based care is accessible to patients in Jeddah, will encourage further collaborations between physicians in both countries, and enable seamless patient journeys between the Jeddah and London hospitals, reducing the need for patients to travel to the UK.

Sir Hugh Taylor, Chairman of King’s College Hospital, London said, ‘’We are delighted that King’s, in partnership with Ashmore, is expanding its footprint to Saudi Arabia, following on from the success of our hospital and clinics in the UAE. King’s College Hospital has a long history of providing outstanding patient care in London and as part of our “Strong roots, Global reach” strategy we remain committed to delivering outstanding care for patients in Saudi Arabia”

Mark Coombs, Chief Executive Officer of Ashmore Group plc, added, “Ashmore Group remains committed to supporting KSA’s continued development across multiple areas. We have been active in KSA over the last two decades and were the first international fund manager to establish local operations1 with a dedicated team in Riyadh, and we are now excited about playing our role in the development of KSA’s healthcare sector by bringing King’s to the country.”

The London and Jeddah hospitals will share knowledge from established King’s research centres in the UK.

UK Government’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has been supporting Ashmore and King’s College Hospital with this project in Jeddah and added “The proposed Jeddah development will greatly benefit from having an NHS partner – King’s College Hospital – which will support the Kingdom’s Healthcare transformation and allow for valuable expertise and knowledge transfer to help shape the healthcare provision. This will be the first hospital in The Kingdom to partner with the National Health Service”.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news

Innovation and technology took centre stage at the Inaugural Future Health Summit

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 26 January 2022: Senior government healthcare officials, CEOs and visionaries from around the world, attended the inaugural Future Health Summit last night, Tuesday 25 January, to hear from a range of experts on the future of the healthcare and laboratory industries.

Healthcare industry experts last night underscored the need for healthcare reform, efficiencies in healthcare spending, and utilising the transformative power of the digital era

The invitation-only, in-person summit, organised by the MENA region’s leading exhibitions for the healthcare industry, Arab Health and Medlab Middle East, addressed some of the most critical issues impacting the global healthcare industry and the barriers and opportunities for securing sustainable healthcare for all.

Open remarks were made by H.E Dr Amin Hussain Al Ameeri, Asst. Undersecretary of Health Regulation Sector, UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention. Lord Stephen Carter, Baron Carter of Barnes, CEO Informa, welcomed guests and underscored the importance of the healthcare industry coming together to discuss and debate the way forward. He said:

“First and foremost, it is a testament to the discipline, the professionalism, and the dedication of the authorities in the UAE to make this a safe place for people to meet, to trade, to learn, and to transact. What we are seeing at Arab Health and Medlab Middle East is a showcase at the beginning of the year for the rest of the world as we begin to see ourselves move on from the pandemic.

Arab Health and Medlab Middle East, addressed some of the most critical issues impacting the global healthcare industry and the barriers and opportunities for securing sustainable healthcare for all.

“We hope that as we move from pandemic to endemic, as we learn to live alongside a change in circumstance and everything that goes with it, we can share those learnings.

“If we’ve learned nothing over the last two years, we’ve learned that sustainability and innovations are now centre stage for countries, for companies and industrial sectors. And I know of no topics that are more important for the markets we serve.”

One of the highlights of the evening was a panel discussion focused on sustainability, innovation, and the future of healthcare.

Moderated by Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Managing Director, Dubai Science Park with panellists included; Dr Alaa Murabit, Medical Doctor, Global Security Strategist, Women’s Rights Advocate and United Nations High-Level Commissioner on Health, Employment & Economic Growth; Dr Sameh El-Saharty, Program Leader for Human Development, GCC Country Department, The World Bank; and Veronica Beneitez Piñero, Deputy Head of Unit, Transition and Business, European Commission.

It has been an advocacy of the healthcare community to urge and usher in universal healthcare as a shared understanding that health care is a fundamental human right.

The group explored the innovative concepts in securing sustainable healthcare, addressing healthcare reform, gaining efficiencies in healthcare spending, and capitalising on the transformative power of the digital era.

Discussing the actions required to strengthen health financing systems, especially for lower-income countries, Dr Alaa said: “It has been an advocacy of the healthcare community to urge and usher in universal healthcare as a shared understanding that health care is a fundamental human right. What we have seen the most clearly in countries that are accountable for the percentage of financing that they put into health care and hold themselves accountable to that number have done best. Nigeria is a good example of this.”

One of the key learning from the panel discussion was the importance of recognising health system should not be looked upon in silo, as every government department has a role to play.

According to Dr Saameh, only 20% of healthcare outcomes result from healthcare delivery systems. He said: “Clinics and hospitals contribute only 20% of health outcomes surprisingly 80% are due to socio-economic, behavioural, and environmental factors.

“I think there is a role for different sectors to play in terms of improving health outcomes. Road safety, banning smoking and adding taxes to tobacco products, healthy eating in schools for children, these are the roles of many different government departments, but they need to come together for the benefit of the healthcare sector.”

As part of the evening, a range of cutting-edge technologies was showcased by leading innovators within the healthcare and laboratory sector. They included insights from Ionut Taranu, Head of Marketing and Healthcare Consulting, Roche Middle East, who underscored the importance of developing strong partnerships. He was joined by Dr Bernd Onesorge, President EMEA, Siemens Healthcare, who outlined the latest innovations in healthcare, while Damian Halloran, VP Infectious Disease, Emerging Markets, Rapid Diagnostics, Abbot Laboratories, outlined the future of rapid diagnostics.

Arab Health and Medlab Middle East continue until tomorrow, 27 January, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Medlab Middle East delves into the global preparedness of the next pandemic

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 26 January 2022: Entering the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with more than 355 million confirmed cases, this year, Medlab Middle East Congress hosted a special track entitled COVID-19 updates, which opened under the theme ‘Are we prepared for the next pandemic?’.

Medlab Middle East hosts a special track to determine the global preparedness of the next pandemic

The track brought together global experts and leading voices in SARS-CoV-2 virology, immunology, vaccines, clinical care, therapeutic guidelines, and trials.

The speakers included Dr Mohammed Yousef Karim, Division Chief of Hematopathology, Sidra Medicine; Dr Gehad Eltayeb ElGhazali, Consultant Physician and Service Lead Immunologist, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Dr Jehad Saleh Abdalla, Consultant Infectious Diseases, Rahba Hospital; and her H.E Dr Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson UAE Health sector, and Executive Director, ADPHC.

Key topics included the immunology of COVID-19 – the mechanisms, clinical outcomes, diagnostics, and other perspectives, as well as further developments and research on COVID 19 vaccines, new variants and the skills, tools and technologies required to combat future outbreaks.

The track also included the latest science on COVID-19, reviewing different types of tests, vaccines, ongoing research – in addition to deliberations on how lab professionals continue to provide lab services and support.

To date, there have been more than 355 million confirmed cases of COVID-19

Rejoy Penacerrada, Conference Director for Informa Markets, said: “Medlab Middle East developed this dedicated track specifically to enable laboratory professionals to evaluate COVID-19 management strategies in the lab by identifying the latest updates in diagnostic testings, discussing post-COVID-19 preventive measures and appraising research and development on vaccines, all vital components in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.”

According to the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 tests can detect either SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or antibodies that your body makes after getting COVID-19 or after getting vaccinated. A viral test, including rapid tests and laboratory tests, tells you if you are infected with SARS-CoV-2, use samples from the nose or mouth. In contrast, “antibody” or “serology” tests may tell you if you have had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

This year, the Medlab Middle East Exhibition showcases affordable and high-performance COVID-19 testing solutions from across the globe, with more than 400 exhibitors and 38 exhibiting countries, including ten country pavilions giving a truly international representation of COVID-19 management solutions from across the world.

For example, UAE-based Gulf Med FZCO is at Medlab Middle East to highlight the BioGX pixel 16 real-time PCR testing platform, which can run 16 individual patient samples in approximately 45 minutes. Similarly, ThermoFisher Scientific are at Medlab Middle East to promote the QuantStudio Absolute Q Digital PCR System, which enables all the necessary steps for digital PCR – compartmentalising, thermal cycling, and data acquisition – to be conducted on a single instrument. It also allows for 95% of the sample to be analysed, delivering more accurate data to help researchers find the information they are seeking.

Medlab Middle East continues until 27 January 2022

Meanwhile, Chinese-based Wondfo is highlighting a clinical management solution for COVID-19 patients, looking at the inflammatory response, bacterial co-infections, cardiac damage and coagulopathy, helping healthcare professionals make clinical decisions and evaluate after treatment.

Seegene Inc, the Korean manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic products, showcased their latest all-in-one solution for molecular testing. The fully automated system on the show, the STARlet-AIOS, can determine the exact cause of various ailments, from a dry cough and fever to headaches and pneumonia.

According to Bassam Bibi, Divisional Vice President, Abbott Rapid Diagnostics, a highlight for him this year at Medlab Middle East is self-test rapid diagnostic antigen, he said: “We have created a vending machine, which is being shown for the first time here at Medlab that provides rapid self-tests. The role of rapid diagnostics is becoming more and more important, which is something we have recognised, and are showcasing this year.”

Medlab Middle East continues today, focusing on Clinical Microbiology and Clinical Chemistry as they return to the conference schedule. Keys sessions include Protein Markers & Proteomics, and Point of Care Testing & Hot Topics in Clinical Chemistry.

As part of Informa’s commitment to providing the highest hygiene and safety levels, the 2022 edition of Medlab Middle East will again take place under the protocols introduced via the company’s Informa AllSecure health and safety mandate. The enhanced measures include 35 guidelines covering all aspects of cleaning and hygiene, social distancing measures, and the use of PPE, screening, and a track and trace in conjunction with local authorities.

A virtual showcase of Medlab Middle East will continue until 28 February.

For more information, please visit http://www.medlabme.com.

ameerul.hasan@thechangemakers.news