Call For HIMSS Middle East Chapter

As a healthcare professional, I strongly believe that the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Middle East chapter has the potential to play a vital role in addressing the needs of my peers in the region. Based on the success of similar organizations in other regions, I am confident that the HIMSS Middle East chapter can make a significant impact on the healthcare industry in the Middle East.

One of the main challenges we face as healthcare professionals in the Middle East is keeping up with the latest developments and advancements in healthcare information technology. I believe that the HIMSS Middle East chapter can help to bridge this gap by providing a platform for us to stay informed and educated through events, conferences, and workshops.

Similar organizations like Project Management Institute (PMI) have seen a significant expansion in their member base by creating regional chapters. It's been reported that organizations that have implemented this strategy have seen a growth in members by as much as 50%. I had the honor to increase the number of members in PMI on years 2004 to 2007 in four folds using regional awareness and mostly volunteer work.

Another important aspect for us is the ability to network and collaborate with our peers from different countries and backgrounds. The HIMSS Middle East chapter can provide a valuable opportunity for us to connect and share our experiences and best practices. This can lead to the development of new and innovative solutions to the challenges we face in the healthcare sector. What is quite interesting the costs imposed by HIMSS to allow Middle East members to meet increased significantly - probably to cater for huge board travel to Middel East to gather members in Saudi Arabia - the lowest cost for innovator company presence was 35,000$ !! and costs going gradually to up to 95,000$ which of course reduced most of sponsored organizations and attendees for 2 days event. It worth noting that , having an exhibiting in HIMSS annual conference can start as low as 3,000$ and you can get proper exhibition area for 5,000$. Food for thoughts , that members in Middle East should go separation in independent chapter that means independent governance , voting , budgeting and authority locally.

Furthermore, I believe that the HIMSS Middle East chapter can also play a key role in the development of healthcare information technology in the region. By creating more regional chapters and making the membership more affordable, the chapter can become more accessible and beneficial to a larger number of healthcare professionals in the region, resulting in improved healthcare outcomes for our patients.

I call on all healthcare professionals in the region to support the idea of expanding the HIMSS Middle East chapter through the creation of more regional chapters and making membership more affordable. Hopefully, we can make a positive impact on the healthcare industry in the Middle East and ultimately improve the lives of our patients. #HIMSS2023 #HIMSS #MiddleEast #KSA #UAE #Qatar #Egypt #EMRAM #EMR