BD Hosts Healthcare Summit to Foster Resilience and Sustainability in Regional Ecosystems

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a prominent global medical technology company, recently organized the BD Healthcare Summit in Dubai, UAE.

The event, which took place under the theme “Pioneering for Patients and Care Providers of Tomorrow,” aimed to address the significant challenges and opportunities within the healthcare sector. The summit was designed to promote resilience and sustainability in healthcare, bringing together a diverse panel of experts from across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the broader Middle East region.

Held in Dubai, the summit featured a series of keynotes, talks, and panel discussions that covered a broad spectrum of critical healthcare topics. Among the pressing issues addressed were patient safety, the well-being of healthcare workers, and the efficiency of healthcare workflows, processes, and procedures.

Dr. Sumaya Al Blooshi of the Emirates Nursing Association was one of the key speakers who delved into the issue of talent attrition and workforce burnout. Her talk emphasized the urgent need to address these problems to maintain a robust and effective healthcare workforce. The well-being of healthcare workers is paramount, as they are the backbone of the healthcare system. Ensuring their well-being directly impacts the quality of patient care and the overall efficiency of healthcare services.

Ms. Mawahib Wang, the Executive Director of Nursing Administration at the Ministry of Defense Health Services in Saudi Arabia, spoke on Nursing Economics and Leadership. She highlighted the importance of effective leadership and economic strategies in sustaining nursing workforces. Leadership in nursing is crucial, as it influences the motivation and retention of nursing staff, ultimately affecting patient care outcomes.

Efficiency in healthcare workflows, processes, and procedures was another critical theme at the summit. Dr. Hady ElKhodary from American Hospital Dubai discussed the application of Moving Averages for Quality Control in Medical Laboratories. His talk highlighted how this method can enhance the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results, which is essential for accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.

Dr. Najiba Abdulrazzaq from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention focused on Infection Prevention, Sepsis, and tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI). Her discussion underscored the importance of stringent infection control measures and the need for continued vigilance to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Addressing AMR and HAI is critical for ensuring patient safety and maintaining the efficacy of existing antimicrobial treatments.

A significant portion of the summit was dedicated to exploring the role of robotics and automation in healthcare operations. Dr. Rola Hammoud from Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital Madinah highlighted how Automation and Digitalization can uphold patient safety. Her talk emphasized the potential of these technologies to enhance patient outcomes by reducing human error and streamlining clinical processes.

Dr. Shweta Narang from the National Reference Lab UAE presented on the profitability and sustainability aspects of Automation in Laboratory Medicine. She discussed how automation can not only improve efficiency but also contribute to the financial sustainability of healthcare institutions. By automating routine laboratory tasks, healthcare providers can reduce operational costs and improve the speed and accuracy of diagnostic services.

Dr. Hussam Nusseir from Sheikh Khalifa General Hospital discussed efficiency indicators, length of stay (LOS), and patient readmission rates in healthcare. He emphasized how automation and advanced analytics can help healthcare providers monitor and improve these metrics, ultimately enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.

Dr. Maher Mominah, Pharmacy Informatics and Automation Manager at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in Saudi Arabia, elaborated on optimizing medication management through informatics and automation. His talk underscored the importance of these technologies in enhancing patient safety, operational efficiency, and the well-being of healthcare workers. Effective medication management is crucial for preventing medication errors and ensuring that patients receive the correct treatments in a timely manner.

Dr. Tarek Owaidah, a Consultant Hematologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, discussed the potential of automation in Hematology. He highlighted how laboratory automation can improve efficiency and patient care while reducing costs for medical institutions. Automation in hematology can streamline processes such as blood sample analysis, making it possible to deliver faster and more accurate results to clinicians.

Sustainability was another crucial theme explored during the two-day event. Dr. Sarah Al Dallal from the Emirates Health Economics Society gave a talk on the lessons from Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) and Pharmacoeconomics. She offered insights into how efficiency can be improved in healthcare systems through economic analysis and evidence-based decision-making.

Fiona Garin, Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at BD, spoke about striving for sustainability and resilience in healthcare. She highlighted BD’s Signature Programs, which focus on promoting patient safety, protecting healthcare workers, and driving efficiency through key performance indicators (KPIs). These programs are designed to help healthcare providers deliver high-quality care while managing resources effectively.

The BD Healthcare Summit also emphasized the importance of collaboration and dialogue in advancing healthcare resilience and sustainability. Dr. Sarah Al Dallal noted that the event provided an excellent platform for discussions and collaborations aimed at accelerating the drive towards a value-based care system. Value-based care focuses on delivering the best possible outcomes for patients while optimizing costs, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems.

Maher Elhassan, Vice President and General Manager for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) at BD, expressed gratitude to all speakers and participants for their contributions. He emphasized that the summit represents a collective effort to navigate the complexities of healthcare delivery and shape a future where resilience and sustainability are foundational pillars of healthcare excellence. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the summit underscored BD’s commitment to pioneering solutions that enhance healthcare delivery and support the well-being of both patients and care providers.

In conclusion, the BD Healthcare Summit in Dubai served as a crucial forum for healthcare leaders and experts to discuss and devise strategies for overcoming the challenges facing the healthcare sector in the Middle East. The event highlighted the necessity of building resilient and sustainable healthcare ecosystems, with a focus on patient safety, healthcare worker well-being, efficiency, and the integration of advanced technologies like robotics and automation. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the summit underscored BD’s commitment to pioneering solutions that enhance healthcare delivery and support the well-being of both patients and care providers.