Genomics to treat disease and artificial intelligence devices helping to deliver vital healthcare will have a growing influence in the near future, according to experts speaking at Dubai Health Forum.
The two-day Madinat Jumeirah event has attracted more than 35 international health experts from 18 countries to share the latest assets in treating disease and making hospitals a better patient experience.
The rise in popularity of 3D printing was one of the highlight’s of the 2017 forum, and this year’s event was also unveiling some interesting new tools at the disposal of doctors.
One of those is a headset worn by patients to help treat depression, and promises results similar to taking medication but without the side effects.
The $500 Flow Neuroscience device has been effective in trials, helping reduce symptoms of depression by 35 per cent, according to clinical psychologist Daniel Mansson.
“Patients with depression use the headset for 25 minutes a day, with a low electric current the equivalent of a 9-volt battery sent into the brain,” he said.
“It focuses on the left side of the brain, helping stimulate neurons that can help control mood.
“Less current is sent into the right side of the brain, with results proving to reduce the symptoms of depression by 35 per cent.”
_______________
Read more:
Surgeons to get better feel for remote operations when 5G technology rolls out
Cancer doctors look to virtual reality for insight into tumours
New asthma technology hopes to reduce attacks through use of real-time data
_______________
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting 6.7 per cent of American adults each year, and about 5 per cent of residents in the UAE.
A secondary effect of using the device is the stimulation of certain ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain, like endorphin, oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine.
The results are the same as taking medication, but without the side effects, according to its manufacturers.
Patients taking some anti-depressant medication can feel a heightened sense of anxiety or excitement, that can lead to suicidal tendencies.
Taking medication over a long period has also been associated with liver disease, heart problems, sexual problems and weight gain.
“We know about 65 per cent of patients have these problems with medication,” said Mr Mansson.
“This device could help eliminate that and it is suitable for all age groups, and most kinds of depression.”
Other topics discussed at the forum include synthetic genomics, precision medicine and wellness, medical tourism, population health management, blockchain and the mathematics behind weight loss.
“Last year at the forum, we discussed the implementation of 3D printing,” said Dr Manal Taryam, head of Dubai Health Authority’s Primary Health Centres.
“Within one year we have already conducted some surgeries using 3D printing at DHA hospitals and we have introduced the technology in the field of dentistry across DHA’s dental clinics.”
Artificial intelligence companies are discussing how the technology can be used in population health management by using digital avatars capable of answering specific patient queries.
It may seem like science fiction, but some of the international companies behind the AI technology believe it could be in place by 2025, reducing the need for face time with human doctors.
A new blood testing kit by Pathway Genomics promises to collect blood samples from undiagnosed individuals at high risk from cancer to help detect the disease at an earlier stage.
The DHA is planning to focus on the use of robotics in heart, eye and other organ surgeries; and the implementation of blockchain in health care delivery to help secure data allowing it to be shared by health departments safely.
It is also expanding the use of smart technology and sensors in geriatric care.
The DHA is the first government health organisation in the region to implement telehealth, with RoboDocs placed at Hatta Hospital’s emergency department and DHA’s 24-hour primary healthcare centres in Al Barsha and Nad Al Hammar.
They are linked to Rashid Hospital’s Trauma Centre, giving doctors outside of the emirate access to patients to help with diagnosis and treatment advice.
Specialist use of home-care programs are also helping improve geriatric care through the latest developments in telehealth.
“Individualised care will take centre-stage in the years to come,” Dr Taryam said.
“All these technologies are aimed to improve the lives of patients better.”
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
EGYPT SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ahmed El Shennawy, Mohamed El Shennawy, Mohamed Abou-Gabal, Mahmoud Abdel Rehem "Genesh"
Defenders: Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hegazi, Omar Gaber, Ali Gazal, Ayman Ahsraf, Mahmoud Hamdy, Baher Elmohamady, Ahmed Ayman Mansour, Mahmoud Alaa, Ahmed Abou-Elfotouh
Midfielders: Walid Soliman, Abdallah El Said, Mohamed Elneny, Tarek Hamed, Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan, Amr Warda, Nabil Emad
Forwards: Ahmed Ali, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen, Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan.
The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
Our legal advisor
Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.
Education: Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1978.
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
