Structuring solutions to meet healthcare needs of West Africa: meet the powerhouses redefining health – Business Insider Africa

In 1816, French physician Ren Lannec published De lAuscultation, a two-volume book that would go on to become his most important work and revolutionize the medical world. What was the breakthrough described in the book? His invention of the stethoscope, was inspired by his encounter with a patient who had too much body fat to hear her heartbeat by ear.

He built the first stethoscope, a trumpet-shaped wooden tube, to amplify the sounds of the heart and lungs. Over 200 years have passed since then and many features of the original stethoscope have been changed, yet the basic premise and goal remain the same. Why is this important to us?

When Ren Lannec released his magnum opus, there was hardly a stir in the medical world. His invention went relatively unnoticed until almost a decade later when it gained gradual acceptance by physicians. It is almost impossible to calculate how many lives could have been saved or transformed if only there was better publicity and widespread awareness of his and many other inventions that have revolutionized clinical medicine.

Unfortunately, todays society still has the same shortcoming. On a daily, there are hundreds of breakthrough treatments and technologies unknown to the public. These innovations have the capacity to solve many medical conditions that diminish the quality of life for millions but due to inadequate publicity, they remain forgotten.

In the early months of 2022, experts gathered to determine breakthrough innovations that can redefine the healthcare sector. Among those identified were next-generation mRNA vaccines, PSMA-targeted therapy, a new treatment for the reduction of LDL, implantables for severe paralysis, artificial intelligence for early detection of sepsis, digital therapeutics, and advanced remote patient monitoring.

These, among many others, have shown that technology is instrumental in improving patient-care efficiency and advancing global health goals. However, for Nigeria and the West African region, this means more.

Redefining Healthcare in Africa: A Priority for Medic West Africa

This week, the Medic West Africa Exhibition and Conference returns as the leading healthcare trade platform in the West African region. Scheduled for 07 09 September 2022 at Landmark Center, Lagos, the 9th edition is set to be the largest gathering of healthcare trade professionals in the region.

Medic West Africa will be offering a collective platform for healthcare professionals and stakeholders, to explore the latest technological advancements in healthcare equipment and solutions. It is also set to offer an exceptional networking and business hub for key parties in the healthcare ecosystem, whilst driving discourse on key challenges affecting our regional healthcare systems to unearth sustainable solutions.

As the premier healthcare trade event, Medic West Africa is set to feature exhibitions by some of the leading and most innovative healthcare equipment manufacturers. There will be over 150 exhibiting companies representing 32 countries and an expected 4500+ professionals in attendance. Among select exhibitors are global healthcare powerhouses -- Abbott Laboratories, GE Healthcare, and Siemens Healthineers, who are platinum partners for the event.

Abbott Laboratories, the global leader in point-of-care technology and rapid testing for cardiometabolic disease, infectious disease, and toxicology, has showcased its continued commitment to building life-changing technologies that will solve societys healthcare needs. Recently, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott swiftly launched multiple new COVID-19 diagnostic tests, from assays that run on high-throughput instruments capable of handling large volumes of tests at once, to self-contained point-of-care devices that deliver reliable and on-the-spot results. Through their participation at Medic West Africa, they are proving their dedication to supporting communities in need and ensuring Africas continued access to medical devices, diagnostics, medicines, and nutrition products without disruption.

Siemens Healthineers also joins the line-up to continue its motto as pioneering breakthrough in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. As a leading MedTech company, they help healthcare professionals deliver high-quality care by bringing breakthrough innovations to the market, leading to the best possible outcome for patients. Their portfolio of products, services, and solutions is at the centre of clinical decision-making and treatment pathways, with 75% of all critical clinical decisions influenced by their solutions. With unique strengths in patient twinning, precision therapy, as well as digital, data, and AI, they spearhead efforts to shape the transformation of healthcare.

The final platinum partner for the 2022 Medic West Africa is GE Healthcare, a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator. GE Healthcare enables clinicians to make faster, more informed decisions through intelligent devices, data analytics, applications and services, supported by its Edison intelligence platform. With an ecosystem which revolves around the delivery of precision health: digitizing healthcare and driving productivity to improve outcomes for patients, providers, health systems and researchers around the world, they invest over $1 billion in research and development annually. Currently, they support 300k+ patients daily with 4 million imaging, mobile, diagnostic, and monitoring devices worldwide.

Furthermore, they are joined by gold partners; DCL Laboratory, a major regional In-vitro diagnostics company committed to delivering novel technologies and products to the doorstep of clinicians, researchers and healthcare providers; Erba Manheim, a game changer in the IVD market following the launch of its next-generation NEXUS total lab automation system; JNC International Limited, a leading turnkey medical equipment service and solutions company in Nigeria; and Sudabelt Medical, a leading provider of quality medical equipment and pharmaceutical products.

In addition to silver partners: Alpha Specialties, a leading provider of medical equipment and devices in Nigeria; Qiagen, a German provider of sample and assay technologies for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, and academic and pharmaceutical research; and Standard Electro Medical Equipment Company (SEMED), an indigenous company whose core business strength is in medical equipment planning, distribution, installation, maintenance, and repairs.

Lastly, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc is also involved with Medic West Africa as a financial partner, supporting other corporate initiatives aimed at bettering the health infrastructure in Nigeria. Recently, Stanbic IBTC announced its partnership with ISN Medical to offer interest-free loans of up to N1.5 billion to clinics, medical laboratories, diagnostic centres, and other healthcare providers for the procurement of medical diagnostic and healthcare products.

Bringing the West African healthcare community together to transform the healthcare infrastructure in the region is at the heart of operations for Medic West Africa.

They are just select examples showcasing the superior calibre of exhibitors scheduled for the 2022 Medic West Africa event, raising the anticipation of key stakeholders. In addition to exploring the latest advancements in healthcare technology and solutions, the scheduled conferences and panel sessions during the 3-day event are set to promote stakeholders' dialogue on topical issues affecting the healthcare sector.

Conference topics will range from Leveraging disruption in healthcare opportunities & challenges in technology, Human Resource for Healthcare: Building an efficient and resilient workforce, Consumer-Driven Healthcare Innovations (CDHIs)- Data, Devices and Digital Health Solutions, and COVID A socioeconomic phenomenon.

Attendance is free for healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders. Registration is found on the website: http://www.medicwestafrica.com for those wanting to network with fellow industry players to redefine the dynamics of healthcare delivery and patient-care efficacy, with the end goal of transforming the healthcare industry.

The importance of technological innovations in healthcare can never be overstated, simply because health is a prerequisite for sustainable human development and the economic growth of any nation.

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Structuring solutions to meet healthcare needs of West Africa: meet the powerhouses redefining health - Business Insider Africa