The UAE Singapore Business Council presented our first healthcare focused event entitled “Opportunities in Healthcare and HealthTech in the United Arab Emirates” on 14th October 2021. The webinar was graced by the attendance of GOH, His Excellency Jamal Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Singapore and UAESBC Patron who presented the Opening Address and Dr Brian Shegar, President of the UAESBC who gave the Closing Remarks. The event featured a distinguished line-up of experts representing key agencies in the UAE namely Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Dubai Health Authority as well as panellists representing Singapore companies in Healthcare/HealthTech who have ventured into the UAE market namely: BioMind, Aevice Health and Napier Healthcare.
The webinar kicked off with an informative presentation by UAESBC members: Mr Steve Wiesner of Singapore Medical Accelerator and Dr Arpan David from White Hole Hub. They demonstrated that the Global medical device markets will continue to rise in line with increasing healthcare spending and population growth and how this is the trajectory for the UAE and Singapore.
Following the presentation from the two UAESBC members, Mr Mohamed Omar, Lead for Healthcare and Biopharma at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, demonstrated in his interesting presentation the importance of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi regarding investments in biopharma sector particularly in the domains of vaccine production, digitization and telemedicine. Subsequently, Dr Ibtesam Al Bastaki, Head of the Investment and Public & Private Partnerships Department of the Dubai Health Authority highlighted, among others, in her comprehensive presentation that health spending in Dubai has risen by 4.8% from 2018 to 2019 and opportunities exists for increased investment and growth in the health sector.
This was followed by an interactive and engaging panel discussion featuring homegrown MedTech and healthcare entrepreneurs namely: Mr Raymond Mah from BioMind, Dr Rex Tan from Aevice Health and Mr Tirupathi Karthik from Napier Healthcare. The panellists shared their innovative products/services as well as their experiences in leveraging the UAE’s healthcare and MedTech sectors. The panel was moderated by Dr Eitan Konstantino, co-founder of Singapore MedTech Accelerator and UAESBC EXCO Member who has a distinguished international background in this domain covering Silicon Valley, Israel and Singapore.
The webinar was proficiently rounded off by UAESBC President, Dr Brian Shegar, in his Closing Remarks. Dr Shegar also recorded in his remarks UAESBC’s appreciation to the GOH, speakers, panellists, moderator and emcee, Ms Rani Kaur from Bank of Singapore.
The success of our first healthcare-focus event has set the stage for continued discussions by members around the various aspects of healthcare with a focus on how both the public and private sector in the UAE and Singapore can utilize technology to reduce cost and improving outcomes.
For those of you who missed the event, you can watch on UAESBC’s YouTube Channel below:
Below are screenshots captured during the webinar for your viewing pleasure: