Arab Health - my take on the recent trip to Dubai - medtech, healthcare, innovation, AI and export.

I’ve just returned from Arab Health, the medical technology and healthcare exhibition in Dubai. I thought I’d share my insight, observations and conclusion.

When I said I was going to Arab Health I had a lot of feedback from people in the med tech community saying that they would not attend since they considered that Medica in Dusseldorf was a better option. I’ve been to Medica on many occasions, including the last a few months ago. I guess the best way to describe it is the European equivalent to Arab Health.

It has already proven to be well worth the trip for many reasons – insight, making connections, learning stuff and the seeds of new business. By comparison to Medica, yes Arab Health is more expensive and yes it means taking more time out from a busy schedule. However, those who discounted Arab Health in favour for Medica should read on and maybe just think again.

If you’re into healthcare, innovation and export then also please read on…...

For probably the first time ever I carried out research about the exhibitors, the show schedule and accordingly organised my diary with a busy agenda, almost timed by the hour for things to do.

First impressions when I arrived at the Dubai World Trade Centre were that it’s a truly international show - and vast. Some statistics are over 4,000 exhibitors, over 65 countries and around 85,000 delegates. I was a little sceptical at first since we usually exhibit at a Med-Tech Expo in the UK where they have 200 exhibition stands and claim around 4,000 delegates. From the off on day one it was packed. Over the three days I attended it was sometimes difficult to walk in a straight line because there were so many people jostling to get around. Pretty much every company was there, from the big boys such as Philips and Siemens to the smaller start up booths, all eager to meet people and sell their products and services.

The first two days I focused on my schedule of meeting existing clients and exploring new business opportunities. The last day my purpose was to look around the entire exhibition. Great for the fitness, on the freestyle day I managed 14km and over 17,000 steps when I went around the entire show at a pace.

There was an innovation pavilion whereby the organisers showcased new and exciting developments, together with a stage for various talks about innovation. Since innovation is my thing, I was looking forward to seeing what’s “new” and out there. I counted 26 stands which were predominantly start up and new companies advertising their wares. The majority of the stands were app based covering a myriad of things healthcare related. Probably an indication about where the direction of travel is, I only counted a handful of companies who were exhibiting physical products, which is where my specialism is.

One notable exhibitor at the Innovation Pavillion was a Swedish company Cellink who were showing their 3D printer called BioX. No ordinary 3D printer, this one prints bioinks from its nozzles. The bioinks, based on biopolymers such as collagen, gelatin, hyaluronan, alignate and nanocellulse are useful for cell 3D bioprinting. The purpose is to create an artificial method for engineering human tissue and organs. It is nothing new, the technology was first established over 15 years ago. Indeed, Cellink already have their 3D bioprinters in research organisations in the UK and elsewhere. I did find it fascinating that the technology is here and now and being delivered by small innovative companies.

There was a good presence from British companies represented through the ABHI and Medilink networks. With the support of DIT, both organisations were instrumental in having the British medical community showcased. The AHSN had presence too and were there to demonstrate that the NHS is open for business with the right technology; some case studies were advertised in the brochure. The British Embassy hosted an evening event where they created a good networking and very nice hospitality too. After getting through security we were greeted by 400 other people and the Embassy cat strolling around. I heard the Ferrero Rocher jokes several times which must wear thin on the Ambassador! Leaving the event at the British Embassy it made me proud to be part of the British medical community, there is something quite special about it.

In the concourse at the exhibition there was an Artificial Intelligence (AI) robot gliding around talking to people. It seemed to garner a lot of interest from passers-by, all taking selfies. I’d heard a lot of people talking about it whilst I was at the show. When I finally tracked it down I observed many people trying to engage with it. When it was my turn I tried to have a conversation. The experience wasn’t quite what I was expecting and it didn’t really fill me with excitement. Although it looked quite cute, I couldn’t really have proper dialogue – it was more like talking slowly and loudly to a foreigner on one of those 1970’s TV sit-com shows when people are on holiday trying to get directions. Perhaps a bit more basic then I had anticipated, maybe the communication issue was with my adopted Yorkshire tone that became a blocker!

I went to a talk one evening organised by the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine where I heard about Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and its mandate to embrace medical technologies for the region. Dubai have an expo in 2020 where they want to open its doors to innovation. Ironically the DHA are going to push artificial intelligence as part of their strategy. There is quite a lot of presence and marketing about the 2020 vision including it being canvassed on the A380 on the way back from Dubai. British companies should get aligned with this initiative since I think that there will be lots of opportunities.

One thing that innovation and AI cannot replace is good old networking. People talking to people, being interested in each others products and services and helping each other on their respected business and career journeys. I met lots of people and where I could, formed an introduction. I must have signposted and referred over 15 people. There was the feeling of a genuine interest in learning about how people can help each other and foster good future business, in and out of the show. This for me made the trip memorable. I met many people that I would not normally bump into that were actually very useful. They say that you are only three connections from someone useful in business and I’m starting to endorse that view.

In summary it was well worth the trip for all of the reasons highlighted. I will certainly return, and I will also now embed my event planning into the process, to maximise the potential of a packed show and some tight deadlines.