By: Rami Rajab, Chairman of MECOMED, Middle East and Africa Trade Association for Medical Devices, Diagnostics and Imaging
The proficiency and response to last year’s devastating effects of the pandemic have been admirable. There have been more investments, effort and focus to providing the best care for patients in the most efficient way possible. And digital health has been the catalyst to advancing healthcare in the region, ushering innovative, safe, and quality medical solutions.
Healthcare and technology are now bonded ever so closer together. The WHO states that health equity is to rectify unfair and avoidable or remediable differences in health for those who are defined by their social, economic, demographic or geographic classifications. In other words, healthcare needs to be more accessible and affordable for all, and championing this cause is the innovations of digital health. The current leading trends in this industry speak for themselves, as MedTech organizations are the first to implement and incorporate the following healthcare improvements.
Telehealth has played a pivotal role in providing the best in care. The use of digital communication technologies has reduced in-person visits – a distance which was initially caused by the pandemic. But utilizing computers, mobile phones, and tablets have delivered services in a convenient manner without risking the safety of patients and medical professionals alike. In fact, according to some reports, in the center of the pandemic, patient calls increased by 2,000% due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
In support, medical IoT (Internet of Things) has seen a rapid growth in the market. These physical devices contain software, sensors and other cutting-edge technologies that forge connections exchange data from the wearer or user to healthcare professionals. Patients can now possess more control over their health; remote monitoring means lower costs for both patients and hospitals.
Moreover, the implementation of AI has increased the value of medical devices, allowing people to benefit from healthier and safer treatments. AI created enhanced versions of traditional instruments in the medical field. These digital capabilities facilitate platforms and tools for surgery, robotic process automation, electronic health records, telemedicine, among other patient benefits.
The future of digital health will continue to evolve, and today’s MedTech improvements will pave the way for more innovative tools to serve the region’s healthcare systems. Mecomed will continue to work with governments to spearhead these digital health initiatives with the leading MedTech tools to further strengthen and advance the region’s healthcare standards. Securing a sustainable future, starts with digital health today.
