Only a few days are left for the world's second largest healthcare event to kick off at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, UAE. Already, healthcare professionals and others related to the industry in one way or other from across the globe have started moving to UAE to take advantage of the networking opportunities that Arab Health 2008 would offer. To throw more light into Arab Health series in general and Arab Health 2008 in particular, Chronicle Pharmabiz has interviewed Simon Page, group director of Life Sciences at IIR Middle East. Anil Mathew in talk with Page.
Do you mind taking us back to the evolution of Arab Health series with details of milestones achieved so far?
Arab Health is a leader in providing internationally accredited Healthcare Conferences in the Middle East. 2008 is Arab Health's 34th year. We started out as a healthcare exhibition and have proudly grown into a congress that is now recognised as the largest series of multi-track conferences in the world. Year-over-year, the exhibition has grown between the 25-30 per cent mark both in terms of visitors and exhibitors. The last five years has seen substantial growth and the 2008 event is the first year the show will be "venue-bound". This means there will be no additional space to accommodate the estimated 20-30 per cent increase in demand we are forecasting for next year.
What are the highlights of Arab Health 2008? How is it going to be different from previous editions?
The Arab Health Congress is consistently expanding and responding to requests for certain topics from our audience. The 2008 event is introducing several new conferences: Paediatrics, Anaesthesia, Global Healthcare Marketing and Urology. We have also expanded the Surgery conference to three days with two days devoted entirely to laparoscopic surgery and the third day for aesthetic plastic. In addition, we are also running a musculoskeletal update, addressing rheumatology concerns from a wide range of specialties from general practice physicians to physiotherapists.
The Leaders in Healthcare is an unrivalled conference that brings together leading minds in the healthcare industry. From senior government personnel, heads of top private hospitals through to leaders in innovation of medical research, this conference is an ideal way for delegates to hear about how to be a leader in the industry. This year's event is focusing on investment in healthcare.
What sort of participation does Arab Health 2008 expect in terms of exhibitors, visitors and country basis?
Arab Health touches all aspects of the healthcare industry in the Middle East. Tens of thousands of medical professionals, government officials, wholesalers, dealers and distributors converge on the Dubai International Exhibition Centre every year for the region's main event for the healthcare industry, and we anticipate that the 2008 event will be no different. In terms of visitors, we are expecting approximately 60% from the GCC states, 20% from the Middle East and North Africa and 20% from the rest of the world. Of those, around 45% will be involved with hospital management, 40% will be medical staff and the remaining a few dealers and distributors. At last year's event, 85 per cent of visitors were directly involved in purchasing products and services displayed at the show, 69 per cent claimed to be the prime decision makers at their establishment, and 90 per cent came across a new product of interest.
In terms of the exhibition, the 2008 event will showcase products and services by more than 2200 exhibitors representing over 65 countries and attracting more than 50,000 healthcare professionals from all over the world. To give an idea, last year 95% of exhibitors met or surpassed their overall objectives in terms of establishing contacts for future sales, 91%stated that the number of visitors met or surpassed their expectations and 86% stated that the exhibition had an immediate positive effect on their business prospects within the region.
How would the event benefit the exhibitors and participants?
Arab Health is the second largest healthcare event in the World. Nowhere else in the region will participants be able to see so many key regional and international organisations offering such an extensive range of the latest products and services under one roof.
By attending Arab Health, participants benefit from meeting the key decision-makers from local government authorities as well as leading private sector healthcare organisations / institutions. The networking opportunities with major suppliers, healthcare professionals and healthcare providers are invaluable, and the event is a great way to keep abreast of the latest changes occurring across the healthcare sector, including competitor activities. Delegates can also give a boost to their career by taking advantage of the education available, including free CME hours. In 2007, Arab Health gave away over 14,000 5-hour internationally accredited CME courses to visitors attending the show.
Do you mind giving a clear picture of Middle East healthcare industry and the role Arab Health holds in promoting it?
Arab Health is the business destination of choice for the Middle East market estimated to be close to $100 billion per year. Due to the huge increase in the expatriate population it is also one of the fastest growing regions with an estimated annual growth of 15%. The region has huge government initiatives to provide the best global medical care and teaching centres such as Dubai Healthcare City and Hamed Medical Corporation. In addition, Saudi Arabia is one of the region's richest markets and expects its number of hospitals to grow from 264 to 502 in the next 8 years and its population to increase by 20%. Arab Health works with local and international companies and hospitals in the region to promote healthcare in the Middle East. With all the investment and having some of the highest GDPs in the world it is a remarkable region that will continue to perform well for the foreseeable future.
Why do you think that Arab Health is a must attend global event in the healthcare calendar?
Over the years, Arab Health has proved to be a vital driver of quality healthcare in the region. Arab Health is the ultimate one-stop shop for anyone involved in the healthcare industry in the region, or for anyone looking to getting involved in it. For practitioners, it is an ideal platform in which to get acquainted with the latest techniques and scientific advances. And for companies, it is the perfect opportunity to listen to the needs of the customers in the region.