Over half of the UK’s MedTech companies anticipate exports to the Middle East to increase over the next five years says a survey of UK medtech industry body members.
Background
Arab Health, the Middle East’s biggest coming together of healthcare and trade professionals, takes place in Dubai from January 29th to February 1st this year.
Coinciding with the event, a survey by the UK’s Medtech trade association, the ABHI (Association of British Healthcare Industries) suggests 51% of members anticipate improved turnover in the Middle East/North Africa region.
The ABHI’s International Policy Group has identified the Middle East as a key global region. The group is led by member companies and plays a critical role in supporting the wider industry access foreign markets, whilst helping trade development.
So, Brexit aside, what underpins the confident assertions about growth outside Europe? The common theme is that an ageing population and longer life expectancy will continue drive demand for UK medtech’s innovative offerings. Add to this the region’s governments stated desire to stimulate sectors outside of oil. Increased funding suggests the health sector will continue to grow, making it an attractive market for UK companies.
200 British companies will travel to the UAE to exhibit at the UK Pavilion in Arab Health 2018. And as usual, the offerings are many and varied, highlighting the diversity represented by the country’s industry specialists.
Diversity on offer
The area of pressure ulcer avoidance is a prime example of prevention being worthy of investment. Pressure relief mattress specialist, Rober Ltd., will be showcasing the pioneering WIZARD® ‘zero pressure’ mattress. This clever design sets itself apart by targeting prevention of pressure injury in intensive care patients. The WIZARD® combines Rober’s signature alternating pressure cell design with an impressive tilt facility. This action gently turns the patient onto their side, comfortably and correctly, thus reducing the requirement for manual handling.
Recently cleared for sales in the U.S., a so-called “cold cap” prevents cancer patients from losing their hair whilst undergoing chemotherapy. The British developed Paxman Cooling System alleviates the damage causes to the hair follicle by chemotherapy. It works by reducing the temperature of the scalp by a few degrees immediately before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy. Moulding to all head shapes and sizes, liquid coolant passes through the cap extracting heat from the patient’s scalp, ensuring it remains at an even, constant temperature to minimise hair loss.
Arab Health also sees UK-based healthcare providers touting their specialist services. Based in Birmingham’s Edgbaston Medical Quarter, world leader in battlefield trauma, Consultant Trauma and Vascular Surgeon, Colonel Nigel Tai will be present on the subject of how military and civilian trauma surgeons and scientists share expertise and research to boost survival rates of those suffering severe trauma. This will form part of Arab Health’s first ever Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Conference.
These are a few examples of the breadth of healthcare that will be covered at Arab Health this year, leaving ABHI and its members clearly confident that the region represents a significant opportunity to demonstrate export success.
published: January 22, 2018 in: Congresses and Meetings, News