Yesterday marked the kickoff of Arab Health 2012 trade show and medical education congress, the self-proclaimed “largest event of its kind” with 3,000 visitors from 60 countries expected in Dubai this week. While there have been numerous articles on healthcare growth and opportunity, one caught my attention for all you Arabian Bytes fans related to tech and health from the National. Some of the advancements featured include the following, with more insights straight from the reporter via video:

• Alcatel-Lucent is engaging Gulf hospitals to potentially roll out a “safe campus technology”, which could alert nurses and medical specialists to patient and safety emergencies – such as a fire – via mobile technology.

• Sony Professional is showcasing a high-definition surgery monitor, as well as 3-D screens for surgeons to have uninterrupted views of multiple monitors during complicated procedures.

• Qualcomm has a mobile baby app that helps doctors to contact pregnant women in remote areas of Egypt. Moms-to-be in the UAE and KSA have used it to share 3-D ultrasound images and videos with friends and family.

• Nokia have created a number of health-related apps for the Middle East to provide access to mobile data such as fitness tips, maternity care and information about locally prevalent diseases, including diabetes.

Speaking of diabetes, I attended the German-Arab Workshop to Combat Diabetes, which focused specifically on the disease, after yesterday’s Arab Health session. This is particularly relevant for the region, as at least half of the top 10 countries with the highest diabetes prevalence are in the GCC – with the UAE ranking #2 globally.

Panelists went in depth about the burden of the disease in Germany, the UAE and across the world – faced with what seems like an insurmountable challenge. Even more worrying, is that the burden is high, but the actual patients may be unaware of their condition and not even seek treatment or disease and lifestyle management. Dr. Alfons Grabosch, Manager of Health Support for Daman Insurance based in Abu Dhabi, estimated that less than 5% of Emirati diabetics out of the 30,000 estimated by Health Authority – Abu Dhabi are even formally diagnosed in the Emirate.

From the session, the participants and panelists noted the following should be priorities in the path forward to combatting and reversing this disease:

• With lifestyle management a key factor in preventing and reversing diabetes, a “socio-cultural” change needs to happen (coined by Diabetologist, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kerner). We need to adapt our lifestyles to include healthier eating and more physical activity, and the focus needs to shift to children to help prevent this epidemic from growing.

• Early detection is a priority, so encouraging screening to identify diabetics and ensure disease treatment and management begins early on is critical.

• Elevating disease awareness and ways to prevent its onset among the public can also further combat the rising prevalence. We know from Edelman UAE’s Health Engagement Barometer that friends and family can be major influencers in encouraging good health behaviors if armed with the right information.

• Tracking and monitoring through digital technology helps ensure accurate recordkeeping and makes follow up easier. One system they demonstrated at the session was the KADIS Diabetes Management program. It is designed for physicians to gain “access to expert knowledge and receives support in evidence-based therapeutic decision-making” according to their site.

So, there are clearly health challenges facing the region, as well as significant opportunities – with tech definitely in the solution mix. Stay tuned for another update from Arab Health. For now, signing off!