Hospitals across the region are continuing to invest millions of dollars in the latest medical technology.
Recent weeks have seen suppliers disclose a number of deals that will help boost the quality of care offered in the region.
In Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Development, a government investment arm, has signed a US $21.7 million contract with Siemens to build and operate a specialist molecular imaging centre (MIC). The centre, set to open in the second half of 2008, will make use of Siemens’ PET CT diagnostic system and Cyclotron radioisotope delivery system.
PET CT (Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography) technology is used in the early detection of cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. It can potentially save time and money, and boost patients’ chances of survival.
Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, spokesperson for Mubadala Development, said: “We are excited to begin this co-operation with Siemens. Together, we will provide the healthcare sector in the region with sophisticated molecular imaging and diagnostic services, leveraging on the world-class facilities offered by the centre.”
In Riyadh, Royal Philips Electronics and Al Faisaliah are to supply an advanced healthcare solution to Specialised Medical Centre (SMCH). The deal, whose value was not disclosed, will include a cardiovascular X-ray flat panel solution (Allura FD20), a Cardiac CT scanner (CT 64) and Philips’ web based picture archive and communication system, iSite.
“We are very satisfied with the support Al Faisaliah and Philips are offering us with equipment and services as well as the way we are co-operating in developing our private hospital,” said Hani Charani, CFO of SMCH.
SMCH was established in Riyadh in 2000 and now has 275 beds with nine ICU beds, and eight operating rooms. SMCH currently employs 140 physicians and 750 support staff.
Also in Riyadh, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) has boosted its oncology department by adding an m3 High-Resolution Multileaf Beam Shaper for more precise radiotherapy treatments. The system, developed by Germany’s BrainLAB, allows the hospital to treat patients with lesions in the brain and the body more effectively with radiosurgery.
“Precision is essential in radiosurgery. With m3, we can better target tumours that have been considered inoperable. Our patients will benefit from shorter treatment times and better results,” said Dr Belal Moftah, chief medical physicist at KFSH&RC. “With m3, we can increase both the types of cases and the number of patients that are treated with this highly conformal treatment.”
Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH), a Jeddah-based private hospital, is installing Siemens’ Soarian MedSuite and syngo Suite. The solution, which combines radiology information, picture archiving and hospital information systems, is designed to enhance clinical decision-making by improving information flow.
“After evaluating leading healthcare IT solutions for RIS/PACS and HIS, we looked for something that would require fewer IT resources and less manpower for operation,” said Dr Mazin S. Fakeeh, deputy director general, Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital. “Given our goals of continuously improving our already high quality of care and to provide this care in a more efficient manner, we believe this can best be achieved through our partnership with Siemens.”
With more hospitals set to open soon in the region, further investment in new equipment and technology is in the pipeline. Dr Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Centre, a leading name in KSA’s healthcare sector, is opening a centre in Dubai Healthcare City in March. The International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank, is lending US $37 million to Saudi German Hospitals Group to help it open new hospitals in Yemen and Egypt.
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